EOL 469: Legal Basis of Educational Practice

David M. Stone, University Laboratory High School, Urbana, IL USA

University Laboratory High School Copyright Policy

Though we don't have a specific copyright policy, a number of sections within Section 7.10 (Academic Dishonesty) of the Student Handbook deal with the topic either directly or indirectly. The entire section is shown below. Components which deal with copyright are shown in red. Additionally, the topic is discussed in computer literacy classes and English classes each year. The current practices work well, so at this point I don't believe there to be a need for additional topic discussion or school policy change.

Section 7.10 Academic Dishonesty

Intellectual honesty is at the heart of any academic undertaking, and Uni High students are expected to assure the originality of their academic work. Students are responsible for refraining from the following infractions of academic integrity, from conduct that may lead to suspicion of such infractions, and from conduct that aids others in such infractions.

Infractions of Academic Integrity: Definitions

Cheating- Intentionally and knowingly using or attempting to use unauthorized materials, information, study aids, or electronic data in any academic exercise.

Comments:

During examinations, student should assume that external assistance (e.g., books, notes, calculators, conversation with others) is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the instructor.

Substantial portions of the same academic work may not be submitted for credit more than once without authorization.

Fabrication - Intentional or unauthorized falsification or invention of any information or citation in an academic endeavor.

Facilitating Infractions of Academic Integrity - Intentionally or knowingly helping or attempting to help another to commit an infraction of academic integrity.

Comments:

Knowingly allowing another to copy from one's work during an examination constitutes a breach of academic integrity.

Taking an exam by proxy for someone is an infraction of academic integrity on the part of both the student enrolled in the course and the proxy or substitute.

Plagiarism

Intentionally or knowingly representing the words or ideas of another as one's own in any academic endeavor.

Comments:

Direct Quotation: Every direct quotation must be identified by quotation marks or by an appropriate indentation and must be promptly acknowledged in the text or in a footnote.

Paraphrase: Prompt acknowledgment is required when material from another source is paraphrased or summarized in whole or in part in one,s own words. Paraphrases should be identified as such promptly (e.g., introduced with such language as, "To paraphrase Locke,...), and accompanied by a footnote identifying the source. Acknowledgment of a directly-quoted statement does not suffice to notify the reader of any preceding or succeeding paraphrased material.

Borrowed Facts or Information: Information obtained from reading or research that is not common knowledge should be acknowledged. Examples of common knowledge might include the names of leaders of prominent nations, basic scientific laws, etc.

Bribes, Favors, and Threats

Bribing or attempting to bribe, promising favors to, and making threats against any person with the intention of affecting a record of a grade or evaluation of academic performance constitutes infractions of academic integrity. This includes a student conspiring with another person who then takes the action on behalf of the student.

Academic Interference and Computer-Related Infractions

• Depriving students of fair access to and reasonable use of educational resources (such as computer facilities, electronic data, required/reserved readings, or reference works).
• Tampering with, altering, circumventing, or destroying electronic resources or data used for student projects.
• Computer-related infractions defined by the Uni High Computer Usage Policy, federal laws, state statutes, or contracts with the University (such as unauthorized use of computer licenses, copyrighted materials, intellectual property, or trade secrets).
• Unauthorized student use of academic resources for non-educational private or commercial purposes.

Infractions of Academic Integrity: Disciplinary Action

An instructor who believes a student is guilty of one or more infractions of academic integrity listed in this rule shall:

1. notify the student of the basis for the belief and then allow the student a reasonable time to respond to the allegation;
2. if the instructor concludes that the student is guilty of such an infraction, a report shall be forwarded to the Assistant Director.

The Assistant Director will then review the evidence and take disciplinary action. Penalties for infractions of academic integrity are as follows:

1st Offense A grade of zero shall be recorded for the test/assignment.

2nd Offense A failing grade in the course, and the student will be removed from the course. The student will also be placed on Disciplinary Probation.

3rd Offense A failing grade in the course, removal from the class, and the Assistant Director will appoint a Disciplinary Review Committee to determine whether or not the student should be dismissed from the school for academic dishonesty.

NOTE: Infractions of academic dishonesty are cumulative during a student's tenure at Uni High.