Philosophy...
The Conejo Valley Unified School District believes that academic honesty requires adherence to ethical principles. Administrators, faculty, students and parents are engaged in a partnership to uphold the values of integrity, personal accountability, and respect for the rights of others.

Definition
Cheating is a deliberate attempt to disrupt the learning process by misrepresenting another student's work as one's own. Cheating during tests includes but is not limited to, unauthorized communicating; copying materials or allowing another student to copy; using prohibited notes or devices; obtaining prior knowledge of test content; and/or removing or distributing all or any part of the test. Copying another person's assignment, plagiarism or submitting a paper or project which is not one's own work, and submitting falsified information for grading purposes are also examples of cheating.

Consequences at Colina

1. First Infraction
a. The student will receive a grade of FAIL for the work in question
b. The teacher will conference with the student and notify the parent.
c. A referral will be sent to the assistant principal and counselor.
2. Second Infraction in the Same or Any Other Class
a. The student will receive a grade of FAIL for the work in question.
b. There will be a conference involving the parent, teacher, student and an administrator.
c. The student's citizenship grade in that class will be lowered to Unsatisfactory for the grading period.
d. The student will be referred to the Student Study Team (SST) for review and recommendation, including examination of current level placement.

Academic Honesty policies reflect the parents

Academic honesty is an issue that is greater than the schools. As citizens of the Conejo Valley we all want neighbors who are honest. Honesty is not innate; honesty is taught and learned from an early age. Honesty starts at home and is reinforced in the schools.

The issue of academic honesty policies (some refer to these policies as cheating policies) has always been a hot topic in education and society. With the increase in electronic communication over the past 10 years the issue of academic honesty has exploded.

Honesty does not start in school; it starts much earlier. Cheating on a test or copying an essay from the Internet are symptoms of a larger problem. Dishonesty is a problem that cannot be solved by the schools alone; parent support is needed early and often.

School districts across the nation have adopted honesty policies to try and keep up with technology and to deter cheating.

Consequences for honesty violations usually include some form of discipline, but also provide an excellent opportunity for a life lesson. The life lessons are what children will remember.

As a parent and an educator (my daughter is only 6 months old. My experience with this subject is limited to my work with children and their families as a teacher, coach and public school administrator.) I suggest three ways parents can teach their children the value of honesty on a daily basis to foster academic honesty as a student and professional honesty as an adult.

1. Someone's mistake is not our gain. The next time you receive too much change or are not charged for an item use it as a teachable lesson. Allow your children to see you model honesty and the reaction you receive when you return the money or pay for the item. Discuss these situations with your children from the time they can walk and talk.

2. Something found does not belong to you. This one happens almost daily. No matter how big or small the item, turn it in or donate it to charity. Discuss with your children how people feel when they lose something and how they hope someone will find it and return it to them.

3. Be honest even when not asked to be. Teach your children that honesty is important in sports too. When the ball hits your child last before going out of bounds, teach your child to be honest. Some team members may be disappointed they didn't get the ball or the point, but honesty is more valuable. Instill this value in your child and expect no less from your child's coach.

Academic honesty is achieved through exposure to honesty in life experiences. Together, parents, coaches and schools can provide the experiences and guidance necessary for children to develop honesty in all aspects of their lives.