New academic integrity policy in place at MPCHS

A new academic integrity policy is in place at Mt. Pleasant Community High School for the 2018-2019 school year after administration noted several instances of student cheating last year.

The policy was approved by the school board during a meeting on Monday, Aug. 13. In the past, students were dealt with on a case-to-case basis if they were caught cheating. High school principal Todd Liechty wanted to change that, adopting an ?appropriate policy? for all classrooms. Liechty said there were enough issues last year of students cheating, one even on their third test of the semester, that they had to come up with a solution.

If a student is cheating, their teacher will document the violation and report it to the assistant principal via email. The assistant principal will record the violation as part of the student?s permanent disciplinary record.

From there, the assistant principal will review the student?s disciplinary record and determine whether the violation in question is the student?s first or subsequent offense. The teacher will then confer with the student and may contact the student?s parents to review the academic integrity policy, clarify why the work or behavior in question constitutes a violation and help prevent future violations.

Liechty said he believes many students do not understand that they are cheating. Instead, they think of it as ?creative problem solving.?

First time offenders will be given a zero on a daily assignment or quiz if cheating. The student will be assigned a retake of a test or summative assessment to determine what the student knows.

Subsequent violations include a zero for daily work or a quiz and a conference called by an administrator with the student, teacher, parent and counselor if it occurs in the same class. If there is a repeat offense in a different class, the policy states ?appropriate action taken by administrator.?

If a student is cheating on tests or other summative assessments and is currently failing the class, they will receive an F grade for the class. If the student is passing the class, they will be removed from the class and no grade or credit will be given. Cheating on a test also will lead to suspension or exclusion from extracurricular activities and students could potentially be removed from National Honor Society.

At a teachers? discretion, a student may be provided the opportunity to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the course material and remain in the class.