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03 - Cheating and Plagiarism

03 - Cheating and Plagiarism
Updated


Fox Valley Lutheran High School expects all students to uphold the principles of honesty and truth as taught in God’s Word. Academic work must be completed by the student to whom it is assigned, without unauthorized assistance. All sources used in research must be cited fully and accurately. To ensure the authenticity of student work, FVL reserves the right to use academic screening tools and plagiarism detection services.

Cheating or plagiarism may result in disciplinary action, including—but not limited to—suspension or removal from cocurricular activities such as the National Honor Society.
 

Guidelines and Consequences

Incidents of academic dishonesty will be evaluated based on the specific circumstances, severity of the offense, and the student’s previous history. Consequences may include:

  • Verbal or written warnings
  • Grade penalties or assignment failure
  • Detentions
  • Required resubmission of work
  • Partial or full suspensions
  • In cases of repeated violations or willful disregard of academic integrity expectations, a student may receive a failing grade for the course and earn no credit.

 

Definitions

  • Cheating
    The act of obtaining, attempting to obtain, or assisting another in obtaining credit or an improved evaluation through dishonest or deceptive means.
     
  • Plagiarism
    Presenting the ideas, words, or work of another as one’s own without proper attribution to the original source.
     
  • Minor Offense
    Typically results from misunderstanding citation expectations or relying too heavily on unoriginal content. If related to an assessment, the offense is often unintentional. If intentional, it usually reflects a momentary lapse in judgment rather than deliberate deception.
     
  • Major Offense
    A deliberate and premeditated effort to submit non-original work as one’s own, despite a clear understanding of academic expectations. Often involves significant assignments or assessments and may include collaboration with others to deceive.

Note: Offense levels are not always progressive. A single incident may be categorized as minor or major based on its severity.

 

Consequences of Cheating or Plagiarism
LEVEL 1

 

 

 CONSEQUENCE
  • Minor Offense
  
  • Documented warning
  • Possible grade deduction tied to point system for assignment
  • If necessary, continued education of student about proper citation, etc.
LEVEL 2   CONSEQUENCE
  • Major Offense
  • Repeat Minor Offense
  
  • Teachers may assign a failing grade for the assessment and/or require that it be redone
  • Detention
LEVEL 3   CONSEQUENCE
  • Repeat major offense
  • Gross major offense (elaborate pre-meditation)
  • Multiple minor offenses
  
  • Teachers may assign a failing grade for the assessment and/or require that it be redone
  • Half-day or full-day in-school suspension given based on circumstances and prior record
LEVEL 4   CONSEQUENCE
  • Gross disregard for plagiarism policy
  • Well-established pattern of poor behavior
  
  • Failure of course
  • No credit earned


 

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