Responding to Academic Dishonesty including AI

Radford City Schools is committed to a fair and consistent approach to addressing academic dishonesty, aiming not only to deter future misconduct but also to guide students towards ethical academic behavior. Academic dishonesty can affect student achievement and may lead to further academic and disciplinary consequences.

Incorporating guidelines on the ethical use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) within academic integrity protocols is essential. Educators should encourage students to use AI as a learning tool, not a shortcut, reinforcing the importance of integrity in both traditional and AI-supported work. This comprehensive approach to academic honesty prepares students for ethical participation in their current studies and future endeavors.

K- 8

An elementary principal and educator work together to support student learning when work is found to be plagiarized or dishonest, treating it as a learning opportunity. They provide age-appropriate guidance to help the student understand the importance of originality and why plagiarism is unacceptable. Additionally, they offer support to build the skills needed for academic integrity, involving parents/guardians to reinforce these expectations.

9-12

In cases of academic dishonesty, the consequences for submitting dishonest work remain consistent, whether addressed by a teacher or administrator. Such submissions do not reflect the student’s understanding of the course’s core and specific expectations. Teachers use professional judgment to assess how dishonesty affects a student’s ability to meet these key expectations. Cheating or plagiarism, especially later in the course, may hinder a student’s chance to revisit and meet these requirements, jeopardizing their success and ability to earn credit.

Navigating Academic Dishonesty in the Era of AI:

Given the limitations of AI detection tools, educators are encouraged to use alternative strategies for identifying academic dishonesty. The following indicators can help teachers spot potential plagiarism in student work:

Missing or Inconsistent Citations: Lack of citations or inconsistencies in citation format that don't align with assignment requirements.
Font Variations: Different font types within a single document.
Unusual Complexity: Advanced vocabulary or complex sentence structures that differ from the student’s usual writing style.
Style Differences: Noticeable shifts in writing style within the same piece.
Citation Discrepancies: Inconsistencies between in-text citations and the bibliography.

Quality Gaps: Significant departure from the student’s typical performance or class contributions.
Assessment Inconsistencies: Major differences between the student’s knowledge shown in formative assessments versus summative work.
Irrelevant Content: Sections that are off-topic or don’t align with the assignment’s objectives.
Historical or Factual Errors: Inaccuracies that suggest a lack of understanding.
Language Variations: Fluctuations in language style (e.g., British vs. American English) within the same document.

By being aware of these indicators, educators can better address academic integrity in the context of evolving AI technologies.

Escalation Procedure for Suspected Violations

If a student is suspected of violating academic integrity, the following steps will be taken:

Step 1: Identification and Documentation

The teacher identifies the suspected violation (e.g., uncredited AI use or copied content).
Evidence is collected, such as matching text, AI-generated content, or sources.

Step 2: Initial Review

The teacher meets with the student to discuss the concern, present evidence, and allow the student to explain their work.
If the issue is deemed minor (e.g., misunderstanding of citation), the teacher provides feedback and assigns corrective actions.

Step 3: Escalation for Major Violations

For intentional or severe violations:

The teacher submits a formal report to the academic integrity committee or school administrator.
Parents/guardians are notified of the situation.

Step 4: Investigation and Decision

The committee reviews the evidence, interviews the student, and determines if a violation occurred.
Consequences are assigned based on the severity of the violation, which may include:
- Requiring the student to redo the assignment with proper integrity.
- Receiving a reduced grade or a zero for the assignment.
- Attending academic integrity training.
- Additional disciplinary measures as outlined in the school’s code of conduct.

Step 5: Appeal Process

Students may appeal the decision by submitting a written request within [specific timeframe, e.g., 5 business days].
An impartial panel will review the appeal and issue a final decision.

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