Academic Honesty Policy

Cheating in any form is unacceptable behavior.

Neither pressure for grades, inadequate time to complete an assignment, tests not adequately proctored, nor unrealistic parental expectations justify cheating. Cheating places the value of grades over learning and runs counter to our philosophy.

The dictionary defines cheating as acting dishonestly, practicing fraud.

A school definition includes offering the words and ideas of another as one's own without giving credit to the originator. Lending work and ideas to another is also cheating. Changing or attempting to change a mark on a report card or other school document is the most serious form of cheating.

• set aside sufficient time to study
• participate actively in class and attend regularly
• protect work--do not lend or borrow homework
• observe test time limits
• not look at another's test or allow his or her test to be seen
• not talk during a test or about the test until all classes have had a chance to take it
• not represent as his own the work of a parent, brother, sister, or anyone else
• not change a test item in any way when the test is returned for review
• not allow one member of a team to do the whole task
• learn how to attribute work properly by citation, footnote, and bibliography

• communicate to the child values of moral and ethical behavior
• refrain from placing undue pressure for high grades
• be aware of a student's need for a quiet time and a place for study
• support the student's efforts, but not edit, type, or in any other way do the work
• encourage wise use of time

• make the classroom policy known to all students
• be specific as to whether work is to be cooperative or individual
• prepare students for tests and test on test days
• inform students if unannounced tests will be used in the course
• carefully proctor tests so as not to tempt the weak
• secure grade book and mark documents so that grades are private and safe
• by precept and concept support these ethical commitments

• Change of grade on an official document.
• A parent conference will be scheduled.
• The student will be suspended 1 to 5 days (SFUSD Student Handbook).
• The principal will request that the student be removed from Lowell depending upon the circumstances.
• Cheating on test or homework:
• First Instance:
  • The student will receive an "F" on the assignment or test.
  • The teacher will confer with the student and notify the parent of the incident and its
  • consequences.
  • A report will be placed in the student's permanent file.
• Second Instance:
  • As listed in the first instance and one or more of the following:
  • A conference will be scheduled with administrator, parent, teacher, and student.
  • The semester mark will be lowered by one full letter grade.
  • The student will be dropped from the course with a grade of "F".
  • The student will be suspended 1 to 5 days (SFUSD Student Handbook).
  • Subsequent Instances:
  • As listed in the first instance and:
  • A conference will be scheduled with administrator, parent, teacher, and student.
  • The student will be dropped from the course with a grade of "F".
  • The student will be suspended 1 to 5 days (SFUSD Student Handbook).
  • The principal will request that the student be removed from Lowell depending upon the circumstances.