science - Harlan County Schools

CHEATING/PLAGIARISM POLICY
Plagiarism/Cheating demonstrates a lack of integrity and character that is inconsistent with the
goals and values of Harlan County High School. It interferes with the assessment of and
feedback process that is necessary in order to promote academic growth. It defrauds the
instructor with a false view of a student’s strengths and weaknesses and may prevent further
instruction in areas of weakness and delay the student in reaching his/her potential.
Cheating: Cheating is defined as using dishonest methods to gain an advantage. This includes
utilizing any means of gaining information for use of quizzes, tests or homework.
Plagiarism: Plagiarism is defined as stealing and passing off the ideas and words of another as
one’s own, using a created production without crediting the source, or paraphrasing a source
without proper citation.
Any instance of plagiarism/cheating as determined by the instructor will result in
disciplinary action by the instructor and/or administrators as follows:
1. Teachers will take appropriate action such as contacting parents and giving no credit on
the assignment.
2. Teachers will document breaches of plagiarism/cheating and will notify administrators
who will keep appropriate records in the student’s file.
3. Any documented violations may result in the student being denied honor status at
graduation, recognition on Honor Roll, or membership in any academic honor society.
Notation on a student’s transcript may accompany flagrant or repeated violations.
4. Disciplinary action will be taken either by the teacher, principal, or principal’s designee
for repeated or continued incidents of cheating or plagiarism.
REASONABLE SUSPICION
SEARCH AND SEIZURE
No pupil’s outer clothing, pockets, or his or her personal effects (e.g., handbags, backpacks, et.)
shall be searched by authorized school personnel unless there are reasonable grounds to believe
the search will turn up evidence that the pupil has violated or is violating this code, school rule or
the law. Search of a pupil’s person shall be conducted only with the express authority of the
Principal/designee.
AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL
Searches of a pupil’s person or his/her personal effects shall only be conducted by the certified
personnel directly responsible for the conduct of the student or the Principal/designee of the
school which the student attends. However, when an immediate threat to the health or safety of
others occurs off site with no certified employee reasonably available, a non-certified person
(i.e., bus driver or coach/sponsor) that is responsible for the students is authorized to conduct the
search of a student or his/her personal effects. Examples of immediate threats would include
reasonable suspicion of the presence of illegal drugs or a weapon.
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