Knowledgebase article 1

Swain County High School Academic Honor Code

Swain County High School’s Academic Honor Code is an agreement between students and faculty, designed to create an honest learning environment.

The purpose of the Honor Code is to ensure that all students are rewarded for hard work by eliminating academically dishonest acts. These include but are not limited to plagiarism, cheating, deception, fabrication, and sabotage, the definitions of which appear at the end of this document.

As a student at Swain County High School, I pledge to adhere to the following as a demonstration of my honor and integrity:

1. I understand that I am responsible for meeting all deadlines.

2. I alone will complete the research and preparatory work necessary to write essays, creative work, and research papers.

3. I will maintain the highest standards of academic honesty and integrity both inside and outside the classroom.

4. I promise not to plagiarize any work, whether in whole or in any part. This includes submitting the work of another, either published or unpublished.

5. I understand that if I am suspected of committing plagiarism or misrepresenting any portion of an academic or creative work, I will be subject to the consequences identified in the Swain County High School Student Handbook.

6. I understand that if I violate any part of this agreement that I am subject to the consequences, which are as follows:

• The first incidence of dishonorable behavior results in the grade of zero and/or further consequences, as circumstances and classroom policies dictate.

• The second incidence of dishonorable behavior is non-compliance, and, as such, is a level II offense that merits an office referral and/or further consequences as specified by individual teachers and their classroom policies.

This document is a contract between the student and the teacher. In signing this document, Swain County High School students are committing to academic integrity. By accepting the student’s signature, teachers are committing to assist students in their commitment by creating an atmosphere discouraging academic dishonesty while encouraging integrity.

• Plagiarism is defined as deliberately or unintentionally using unoriginal content without giving credit to its sources. Plagiarism can be, but is not limited to: copying and pasting; paraphrasing; and patch-work writing.

• Patch-work writing is defined as a selection of words and information from several sources without providing the origin of the presented works and without proper unique context. Plagiarism is not limited to professional or established works, but is also defined as work obtained from fellow students or past students if the assignment is designed for individual credit.

• Cheating is defined as deliberately or unintentionally obtaining or providing an unauthorized, dishonest, or unmerited advantage in academic endeavors. Cheating can be, but is not limited to (a) turning in or taking credit for fraudulent work achievements (b) stealing or copying another’s assignment (c) stealing and/or possessing unauthorized tests or exams (d) communicating (verbally or otherwise) during tests (e) copying from another (f) using unauthorized study guides, books, and other information, electronic or otherwise (g) lying.

• Deception is defined as deliberately or unintentionally supplying a Swain County High School faculty member with false information pertaining to classroom assignments. Deception can be, but is not limited to (a) falsely claiming to have submitted an assignment or completing a task (b) falsifying an explanation for missing a deadline (c) avoiding taking responsibilities for one’s actions.

• Fabrication is defined as deliberately or unintentionally falsifying information, data, or documents for academic assignments. Fabrication can be, but is not limited to (a) manipulating information or data to one’s advantage in assignments (b) patch-working pieces of information to create an unauthentic conclusion (c) forging documentation/verification of accomplishment in the aforementioned fields.

• Sabotage is defined as deliberately or unintentionally preventing a Swain County High School student, staff member, or faculty member from successfully completing a task or assignment or maintaining a good reputation among peers, staff, and faculty. Sabotage can be, but is not limited to (a) destroying or damaging  material used by students for research or learning purposes (b) falsely accusing a fellow student, staff, or faculty member of misconduct.