At the Australian International Academy it is expected that students, parents/guardians, staff, and administrators shall be responsible for creating and maintaining a positive school climate that supports and encourages Integrity.

Academic Integrity is particularly important in the upper primary and secondary school as students begin to take more responsibility for their own learning and to access a broader range of resources and information. In doing so, students need to become increasingly aware of some commonly accepted modes of academic behaviour and attitudes.

Just as we expect others to acknowledge our ideas that we have worked hard to develop, so we must also be careful to recognise the people from whom we borrow ideas. In this regard, an expectation of the school is that all students show a high standard of academic honesty. Academic honesty can be defined as acting with integrity in all school work by making sure that any work submitted fully acknowledges the work of others and that it is their own and not copied from either friends, books or the internet. Academic dishonesty is therefore defined as submitting as your own work that which is not your own.

Students are expected to do their own work and cite sources where appropriate. At no time is copying, cheating or plagiarism allowed. The school also acknowledges the important role parents can play by supporting their children’s progress by ensuring that work submitted is their child’s.

School Policy on Student Plagiarism

Plagiarism is the act of presenting another’s words and ideas as one’s own without crediting the source – this includes the internet. It is a form of cheating and must be taken seriously by the school because it disrupts procedures for the fair and just evaluation of the achievements of students. Anything which disrupts this process is unacceptable and should be penalised. We expect students to live up to their responsibility to behave ethically and honestly as learners. In support of academic honesty and the personal integrity of all students, the school has established the following guidelines.

Guidelines for Maintaining Academic Integrity

1. Discipline rules and procedures for all violations of academic honesty will be conveyed to staff, parents, and students at the beginning of each school year.
2. Teachers and staff will be responsible for providing safeguards that discourage acts of student dishonesty on tests and assignments.
3. School staffs (administrators/teachers) will enforce discipline rules and procedures as described in the school’s discipline rules and procedures for all violations of academic honesty.
4. Students found to be in violation of rules of academic honesty will be subject to disciplinary action outlined below and in the school’s discipline rules and procedures.

Acts of Academic Dishonesty

Acts of academic dishonesty include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Cheating on Tests: Any giving or receiving of external assistance (either verbally, in writing, or using an electronic device) relating to an examination, or test without expressed direction or permission of the teacher.
2. Fabrication/Falsification: Any falsification or invention of data, citation, or other authority in an academic exercise.
3. Unauthorized Collaboration: This includes copying another student’s work or allowing work to be copied or completing assignments for others.
4. Plagiarism: Plagiarism includes the misuse of published materials, Internet information, and the work of other students. When the authenticity of a piece of work is in question, the onus is on the student to verify the work at the request of the teacher. If asked, all students should be able to produce evidence of all their sources for a particular piece of work to the satisfaction of the teacher
5. Theft or Alteration of Materials or Equipment: Any unauthorised taking, concealment, or alteration of student or teacher instructional materials or equipment.

Discipline Rules and Procedures for All Violations of Academic Integrity

A system of progressive discipline shall be followed whenever practicable and the listed consequences shall serve as guidelines. In all cases, the teacher will record and give to the Head of School evidence of violations of academic Integrity. In all cases involving authentication concerns, the onus is on the student to verify their work at the request of the teacher. Consequences may include, but are not limited to:

Primary school: Prep - 5

First offence:

1. Teacher-student conference,
2. Parent contact may be made
3. Student may be asked to redo assignment with no elements of plagiarism or awarded the lowest grade.

Second offence:

1. Parent notification/conference with teacher and student
2. Student to be asked to redo assignment for a lower grade at the discretion of the teacher.
   

Third offence:

1. Referral to Student Management Coordinator (SMC)
2. Parent, teacher and SMC conference
3. Lowest possible grade awarded
4. Other options may include loss of privileges and/or referral to counsellor

Middle school: 6 - 10

At the middle school level consequences may include, but are not limited to:

First offence:

1. Teacher and student conference
2. Student Management Coordinator notified
3. Alternative or additional work to be undertaken as determined by the classroom teacher

Second offence:

1. Referral to Student Management Coordinator and makes contact with parent
2. Lowest grade awarded as determined by the classroom teacher
3. Counselling and assistance in developing strategies for avoiding academic dishonesty and/or plagiarism

Third offence:

1. Referral to Student Management Coordinator and makes contact with parent
2. Head of Campus notified
3. Lowest grade awarded as determined by the classroom teacher
4. Detention / Suspension and Further advice and counselling

Appeal: A student and/or parent may appeal any sanction which results from the above discipline rules and procedures, but must do so in writing within 14 days.