Academic Honesty Cheating of any kind on homework, papers, classwork or tests/assessments is both stealing and misrepresentation. It is considered a very serious matter. Examples of academic dishonesty include, but are not limited to:

Plagiarism: Using someone else’s work, words, or ideas as your own. Plagiarism is a form of thievery and a serious offense. Students must make every effort to acknowledge sources of information in both their oral and written work. To avoid plagiarism, students must correctly cite material copied directly or paraphrased from other sources, including the Internet.

• Cheating: Taking or giving any information or material that will be used to gain academic credit. This includes the use of tools such as Google Translate and the app Photo Math.

• Conspiracy: Working together with one or more persons to commit academic dishonesty. A student who knowingly gives his or her own work to another student is as guilty of academic dishonesty as the student who plagiarizes.

• Collusion: Two or more students working together on an individual assignment. Students who work together on an individual assignment will be considered “unauthorized collaboration” and academic dishonesty. All assigned work is considered independent unless specifically authorized by the teacher.

• Misrepresentation: Any act or omission that is intended to deceive an instructor for academic advantage. Misrepresentation includes lying to a teacher in an attempt to raise your grade, or lying to a teacher when confronted with allegations of academic dishonesty.

Students who violate the Academic Honesty Policy may receive a zero for the assignment. A violation may also result in disciplinary action or other consequences depending on the severity. Upon the third violation, the student will be placed on Academic Probation and a note will be put on the student’s transcript and reported on college admissions paperwork. Students who earned a mark on their transcript may petition to have it expunged after twelve months of no further violations.

Academic Integrity Committee

An Academic Integrity Committee (AIC) assists faculty and administration in upholding academic honesty standards at VOW NOW ACADEMY The AIC maintains records of violations of the Academic Honesty Policy and may be called upon to investigate allegations of plagiarism or academic dishonesty.

• When a teacher has a suspicion that plagiarism/academic dishonesty has occurred, she/he will present the student with an Honor Policy incident report outlining the suspected violation and proposed consequence.

○ Admission of Fault: If the student admits fault, teacher and student will sign the form and it will be forwarded to the AIC who will file the form and inform parents of the incident.

○ Disputing Fault: If the student does not admit fault, the incident will be referred to the AIC, which will inform parents via email that the incident is under investigation. The AIC will review evidence including relevant papers/submissions, student interview, teacher interview, and other evidence as necessary. Students and parents will be informed of conclusions and consequences once a decision has been made.

Academic Honesty Violations All violations of the Academic Honesty Policy will be recorded internally by the AIC. The file will remain with the student throughout their time at VNA. Notations are only made on the student’s permanent record upon the third violation. Please see the three-step process outlined below.

• First Violation: will be recorded internally and the student will receive appropriate academic consequences.

• Second Violation: will be recorded internally and the student will receive appropriate academic consequences. Students and parents/guardians will meet with administration.

• Third Violation: The incident will be recorded on the student’s transcript and reported on college admissions paperwork. The student will be placed on Academic Probation. The student will be rendered ineligible for National Honor Society; current NHS members will be removed from the organization.

Freshmen and first-year Sophomore students will have this record expunged at the end of their first academic year with the expectation that they have learned the importance of maintaining integrity. Seniors who earned a mark on their transcript may petition to have it expunged after twelve months of no further violations.

Grade Correction

If a student believes that a grade has been incorrectly listed on the report card, he/she should consult with the teacher within three (3) school days after report cards have been distributed. The teacher will verify the grade in his/her grade book and, if necessary, will file a written request for a grade change with the College Advisor. All requests for grade changes (excluding incomplete grades) must be filed within seven (7) school days after grade reports have been distributed to parents.

Grade of Incomplete

A grade of incomplete is assigned for an extended illness or serious extenuating circumstances. The student has three weeks from the date of the end of the most recent marking period to make up the work or fail that quarter. If extraordinary circumstances prevent the student from meeting this deadline, the student should meet with the teacher regarding the Incomplete. Extended time form must be signed and approved by the administration in order to receive any extended time on assignments. Failure to do this or to make up the deficiency results in a failing grade for that quarter. When the student has completed the requirements of the course, the teacher will submit the grade.

Academic Designations

Academic Warning “Academic Warning” is a designation for students whose grades reflect two Ds, or one or more Fs after a quarter’s end. An Academic Warning requires a student to:

• Attend a meeting with his/her parent/guardian and Administration at the beginning of the following quarter during which a customized academic success plan will be created

• Fulfill the requirements agreed upon in the success plan

Academic Probation

“Academic Probation” is a designation for students whose cumulative GPA falls below a 2.2 at the end of a semester. A student does not need to be on Academic Warning to be placed on Academic Probation. During the probationary period, the student will not be allowed to participate as a player or member of any sport, cheer, musical or club/teams for a period of time deemed appropriate by the Principal. The final decision as to whether a student will be allowed to continue enrollment at VOW NOW Academy after being placed on Academic Probation for two consecutive quarters will be made on a case-by-case basis.