Academic honesty policy clearly defines cheating, plagiarism and
the sanctions
Gilroy – Students returned to school campuses this week with a series of new school board policies in place designed to protect their integrity.
For the first time, a new academic honesty policy outlined consequences for students violating academic ethics. Also, under a new cell phone policy, students may use cell phones on a limited basis only.
In January, the Dispatch reported what appeared to be widespread occurrences of high school students cheating using everything from cell phones to writing on body parts to relay answers during tests.
By mid-March the Gilroy Unified School Board had written and approved an academic honesty policy for the fall.
“We felt this was very important to get in place immediately,” said board member David McRae. “We wanted to be sure that the message and policy is clear.”
This August, all Gilroy High School parents should have received a packet of information including the new policies translated in both English and Spanish.
Elementary and middle school principals throughout GUSD will send copies home in the first newsletters of the year or in the parent binders. Students are receiving the policies in their planners, said Assistant Superintendent of Administrative Services Jackie Horejs.
“There should be no excuse (about not knowing),” she said. “I think what’s important is that we consistently enforce it within every classroom in every school in the district.”
The new academic honesty policy clearly defines cheating, plagiarism, and the sanctions associated with it. Previously, there were student conduct policies in the books, but none specifically covered academic honesty.
“The Governing Board believes that personal integrity is a fundamental component of a student’s education and character development. Students will reach their full potential only by being honest with themselves and others … All students need to prove to themselves that they can do successful work as a result of their own efforts,” the policy reads.
Teachers must have evidence, not simply suspicion, that cheating occurred.
Consequences are based on a series of infractions. A second grade student caught cheating for the first time will not be punished to the same degree as a senior in high school busted on three occasions.
At the elementary level, a first infraction calls for notification of the parents and counseling by the teacher. Credit will not be given for assignments in subsequent occurrences.
Middle and high school students caught cheating will not receive credit for any assignments in question and may be suspended. Parents will be contacted on all occasions. The consequences for high school students may also include a reduction of the semester grade or transfer to another program.
Under the new cell phone policy, elementary students may not bring the devices on campus – unless medically cleared by a physician. Middle school students may carry them but cannot turn them on during school hours. High school students are allowed to use cell phones only during breaks. They must turn them off during class.
How uniformly these policies are enforced may determine their effectiveness.
While cheating is not widespread in Antonio Del Buono Elementary School – there were only two incidences brought to Principal Tammy Gabel’s attention last year – she is supportive of the new policy.
Gabel is including it in her parent packet, which she is sending home in the next few weeks.
The elementary school already implements Peace Builders, a self-esteem and school unifying program, which she believes helps reduce instances of cheating.
“I think because we have real consistent behavioral expectations that really creates a standard and carries over and influences our cheating policy,” Gabel explained.
According to Assistant Superintendent Horejs, principals will be visiting classrooms explaining the new academic honesty policy. Students will be informed firsthand that cheating will not be tolerated, and that there are consequences.
“I personally don’t think it will matter. People who cheat don’t care whether it’s in writing,” explained sophomore Christina Ginn.
She is not alone in her thinking.
“I personally think that kids will do what they will until a teacher sees them,” Dean of Students Mani Corzo said.
The difference is that now the district has consequences in place.
“At least now we have something we didn’t have before,” he said. “It goes a little further. We have other consequences than just failing – because some kids don’t care about failing.”
GUSD board member Rhoda Bress helped create the new academic honesty policy and is pleased its provisions.
“Now we have to see whether the policy works,” she said. “It’s certainly a very strong start.”
