THE HONOR CODE

Academic Honor Code
Westfield High School
Westfield, MA

It is only through the evaluation, reflection and revision of one’s own work that true progress and success can be achieved. To help students gain the most from their education, the entire faculty of Westfield High School expects that students will do their own reading, writing, test taking, research, and assignments. Considering that cheating and plagiarism undermine a student’s success and true understanding, we reinforce that cheating and plagiarism are violations of Westfield High School’s Code of Student Conduct. In addition, acts of cheating and plagiarism are in direct conflict with the Mission Statement of Westfield High School.

There is a great deal of information available on how to avoid plagiarism. Teachers are always an excellent resource; however, students and parents may appreciate additional information on plagiarism on the school’s website:

www.k12.westfield.ma.us./whs/index.html
DEFINITIONS:

Cheating is defined by Westfield High School as sharing information before or during testing situations, copying of another individual’s work, including sharing information through electronic devices/media, and using “cheat sheets” during testing.

Plagiarism is defined by Westfield High School as taking work or ideas from the Internet, books, magazines, television, movies or any person or any other source whatsoever, and deliberately passing it off as one’s own work. Plagiarism does not require that a student submit a verbatim copy of the work of any source as his or her own. Plagiarism also includes submitting ideas and/or conclusions generated by another source as the student’s own work.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Teachers will:

• indicate clearly when collaborative work on a project is permitted
• review proper method of citation appropriate to subject area
• include honor code statement on syllabus
• be available to students for additional help and questions regarding citations
• provide a secure testing site
• report any Academic Honor Code violations
• conduct a presentation of the Academic Honor Code to all student

Students will:

• submit his/her own work
• follow proper methods of citation
• ask for help when unsure about citations
• protect work during testing and class situations
• not share assignment
• report any suspected Academic Honor Code violations to a teacher

Parents will:

• have knowledge of the Academic Honor Code
• support their child in adhering to the Academic Honor Code
• support faculty in the application of the Academic Honor Code

CONSEQUENCES per year

First Violation:

• zero on the entire assignment without the opportunity to do the assignment again
• parental contact
• notification to principal, vice principal and counselor resulting in a Saturday detention
• notification to National Honor Society resulting in probation of privileges for the semester
• notification to Renaissance Program resulting in suspension of privileges for the semester

Second Violation:

• zero on the entire assignment without the opportunity to do the assignment again
• parental meeting with student, teacher, and administration
• notification to principal, vice principal and counselor resulting in a Saturday detention and one day of internal suspension
• notification to National Honor Society resulting in dismissal
• notification to Renaissance Program resulting in suspension of privileges for the year
• Appeals to the Academic Honor Code Faculty Board are available.

Any subsequent offenses will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis.

DEPARTMENT CENTERED HONOR CODES

Links to the above listed department's Honor Code pages should be available soon.