Cheating is defined as seeking to obtain (or aiding another to obtain) credit or improved scores through the use of any unauthorized or deceptive means. SoWashCo understands that pressure to get good grades can sometimes create the incentive to cheat, however we firmly believe that cheating denies the value of education, damages the ethical character of the individual student, and undermines the integrity of our school community. 

Some examples of what cheating looks like:

• Presenting information collected, organized, or envisioned by someone else as your own (with or without the author's permission) or allowing someone else to present your work as his or her own.
• Taking shortcuts (such as unauthorized use of study aids) that allow you to bypass steps of an assignment.
• Using forbidden material to "help" during an exam, such as cheat sheets, graphing calculators, or cell phones.
• Asking about or sharing questions and/or answers to quizzes and exams.
• Submitting the same work for more than one assignment without express permission from your teacher(s).
• Altering corrections or scores with the intent of changing your grade.
• Misrepresenting yourself in any way to your teachers in regard to the work you have done, such as saying you've turned in an assignment when you did not, or that you've worked hours longer than you actually did to complete an assignment.
• Fabricating information to try to earn more time, more credit, or grading leniency on an assignment, project, or exam.
• Missing class in order to avoid turning in an assignment or taking a test.
• Doing more or less than your share of a group project without permission from your teacher.

All parties concerned, student, parent/legal guardian, counselors and administrators, understand that the teacher's professional judgment will determine whether a violation has occurred.

Policy 506 Student Discipline

 

POTENTIAL CONSEQUENCES- ACADEMIC MISREPRESENTATION The progressive discipline procedures below are designed to improve and prevent a recurrence of the behavior. Administrators reserve the right to combine or skip steps depending on the facts of each situation.
Grades K-12	Consequences assigned by the teacher in consultation with administration; alternative assessment/assignment to show mastery of the content; Principal conference with student; Restitution or restorative practice; parent/legal guardian contact; Possible detention or suspension
Athletics and Activities	Eligibility to participate in school sponsored activities may be jeopardized.  For more information see an administrator or activities/athletic directors or visit the MSHSL Eligibility Brochure