Students are to be here, work hard, and ask for help where appropriate in all of their academic endeavours. As part of this, students must be academically honest. Academic dishonesty includes a variety of behaviors such as cheating, plagiarism, forgery, facilitating or aiding academic dishonesty, and the unauthorized access or manipulating of student records, student work, and computer programs. Teachers and parents should support students as they strive to produce excellent work with integrity.
It is important that students understand the gravity of all forms of academic dishonesty. School administration will address this using progressive discipline, keeping in mind the student’s individual circumstances such as grade level, maturity, and the number and frequency of the incidents.
Cheating
- Cheating may take many forms including the following:
- Plagiarism
- Use of unauthorized notes or materials during an evaluation
- Turning in the same work to two different classes without prior approval
- A student allowing their own work to be plagiarized
- Assisting another student to cheat
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is a form of cheating. It can be defined as the use or close imitation of the language and thoughts of another without attribution, in order to represent them as one’s own original work. (Growing Success, 2010 p. 151).
Plagiarism may take many forms, including:
Copying word for word from any outside source without proper acknowledgment. This applies to the use of an entire paper, to the use of entire sections and paragraphs, and to the use of a few words and phrases.
Paraphrasing ideas from any outside source without proper acknowledgment. Submitting in whole or in part, work completed by another individual.
This is not a definitive list. Students who need assistance in this area should consult with their teachers.
Assessment and Evaluation
At SNP STEAM Academy we follow the provincial standards set out in Growing Success which categorizes assessment by as, of, and for learning. Assessment is a critical piece of differentiated instruction as it helps to identify the most effective strategies and activities that will encourage student learning. While traditionally thought of as occurring at the end of learning (summative assessment OR assessment of learning), assessment can take place throughout the course of learning, embedded in the instruction and pre-instruction.
Assessment FOR Learning (known as formative/diagnostic assessment) is the use of a task or an activity for the purpose of determining student progress during a unit or block of instruction. Teachers are now afforded the chance to adjust classroom instruction based upon the needs of the students. Similarly, students are provided valuable feedback on their own learning.
Assessment AS Learning is the use of a task or an activity to allow students the opportunity to use assessment to further their own learning. Self and peer assessments allow students to reflect on their own learning and identify areas of strength and need. These tasks offer students the chance to set their own personal goals and advocate for their own learning.
Assessment OF Learning is the use of a task or an activity to measure, record, and report on a student’s level of achievement in regards to specific learning expectations. These are often known as summative assessments.
Absence for Tests and Presentations
If student absence is known prior to a test or presentation day, alternate arrangements are to be made with the teacher to complete the work. Generally, students will be prepared to do the work on the day of return, at a time deemed appropriate by the teacher. Please notify the office as per usual about any student absence, see the Attendance section for more information.
Examinations Final
Examinations are compulsory. Parents/guardians must notify the school promptly if students will be absent from an examination because of illness or other critical situations. A doctor’s note may be required for an illness or injury. Students under 18 who require exams to be re-scheduled must have a parent/guardian submit this request to the principal in writing. Alternate arrangements may be determined to be appropriate. Decisions will be based on each individual case. Teachers are not authorized to reschedule examinations. Parents can refer to the School Year Calendar for examination days.
If students are late for an exam, they should report to the office. Extra time may or may not be permitted. Decisions are based on each individual case.
If STEAM Academy deems school examinations cannot be written for any reason (ie. weather), the entire schedule will be postponed by one day.
Cheating in any form will result in a mark of “0” on the paper and may involve further consequences from the administration.