Academic Integrity Amanda Davis Staff Development, Fall 2004

Students are increasingly using cheating as a means to survive the rigors of education.

It is also becoming more and more common that “good” students are also engaging in cheating activities.

Some Alarming Statistics: in most high schools, over 75% of students admit to some cheating

most students claim that 'cut & paste' plagiarism - using a sentence or two (or more) from different sources on the Internet and weaving this information together into a paper without appropriate citation - is not a serious issue

some 50 percent of those responding to the survey said they don't think copying questions and answers from a test is even cheating

It is obvious that these practices hinder student learning and future success: diminished work ethic lack of study and research skills writing skills suffer moral awareness and responsibility deteriorate

How do we handle these issues? There are several ways to teach our students about the importance of academic integrity:

clear policies consistent enforcement arm yourself with knowledge utilize resources cheat-proof your assignments

Clear Policies 1.Support the school’s academic integrity policy. 2.Remind students of this policy with each assignment. 3.Send home a letter to parents to inform them of the policy and make the students bring back the letter signed.

Consistent Enforcement 1.Have an established method of dealing with students who cheat. 2.This method should support the school’s policy. 3.Apply this policy equally to ALL students and do not waver on your stance. 4.If problems with students and/or parents occur as a result of your enforcement of the policy, refer them to administration.

Arm Yourself with Knowledge 1.Be aware of Internet sites that help students cheat. 2.Keep yourself abreast of research, studies, and surveys regarding the issue. 3.The key is to keep one step ahead!

Utilize Resources 1.Familiarize yourself with the latest information regarding student cheating. 2.Know how to use the Internet and other computer resources to help track student cheating. 3.Involve parents. 4.Communicate with administration and guidance to support you.

Cheat – Proof Your Assignments 1.When assigning writing, come up with a specific, narrow topic. 2.Hold students accountable for documenting sources. 3.Know your student’s work and communicate with them regularly regarding their work. 4.Explain to them what cheating is (never assume that they understand). 5.Have them sign a statement of academic integrity.

Sources CAI research. ( ). Retrieved November 25, 2004, from Slobogin, Kathy. (2002, April). Survey: many students say cheating's OK confessed cheater: ‘what's important is getting ahead‘. CNN News. Revtreived November 25, 2004, from

ASCA StandardAddressed Standard A: Students will acquire the skills to investigate the world of work in relation to knowledge of self and to make informed career decisions. A2: Develop Employment ReadinessDevelop Employment Readiness 8.Understand the importance of responsibility, dependability, punctuality, integrity and effort in the workplace