Trust and Respect

9/19/2014

In a school open house recently the principal of the High School said something intriguing; this year they were not going to pound into the students heads that cheating is wrong, plagiarism is wrong, and they are not going to remind students if you are caught or and you will be punished even if you try to cheat or accidentally cheat. Instead she stated this negative approach was ineffective and degrading to the students in her school and this year another approach was going to be implemented. Cheaters BEWARE signs were replaced with a new look. Academic Integrity is going to be expected! The students signed an Honor Code that included the following:

Academic Integrity is following the Honor Code without being supervised or warned

Taking responsibility for learning by completing any and all assignments individually

Completing any and all assignments according to the expectations of each individual teacher

Ensuring honesty, transparency and accountability in all your student activities.

This attitude is encouraging students to do right instead of penalizing student when they do the wrong thing. It encourages the students to take responsibility for their learning experience. Teachers in the classroom were skeptical at first, but when I asked them about the students’ attitudes toward plagiarism and copying they offered that they do a lot more collaborative work in their classrooms, and students working together apply peer pressure to prevent plagiarism. Granted my daughters are in AP courses and are with teachers and peers that look at learning as a stepping stone to higher education, but overall the student population is succeeding in a positive approach toward cheating isn't what a successful student does.

Its interesting when I look at the Web as a conduit of information waiting to be picked and placed into whatever project I am working on. There is so much information out on the Internet, coming up with original ideas is harrowing. But when I have a great idea, and I Google it, and I see that many other brilliant minds have the same great idea I realize my thoughts were validated. I want the world to know I thought of that too, and I want the citation, copyright, acknowledgement to be part of my work to validate my thoughts. By integrating technology into our research I believe it is important to acknowledge another’s work, and it should be heralded as WOW we agree.

I am pleased by the direction this principal is taking. I believe the students will look back someday when they are tempted by the easy road of plagiarism and will stop and think about the honor code, instead of wondering if they will get caught if they take the low road. Respect and Trust are integral and will make America great.

10 Comments

Ashley Brown

9/19/2014 08:23:57 am

I love what the principal said. Attacking students with negative approaches sometimes they are more likely to break them. But when you set high expectations for the students and let them know that they can achieve these expectations they take ownership and "step up to the plate".

Jane Hertz

9/25/2014 02:59:35 am

I think the one thing that is missing in our schools today is citizenship responsibility. Its easy to push the blame on to your situation, your teacher, peers. I believe students need to understand their responsibility and be responsible. Maybe this is the first step.

Tamara

9/19/2014 09:54:41 am

This is interesting because I have seen some of the responses to plagiarism at my school in the past. It has been very lax by administration. Granted, I teach at a middle school and students are still learning what it means to plagiarize. I have spoken to language arts teachers about their firm approach to plagiarism and administration unwillingness to back them. It is certainly an important issue. I think that a new approach that places responsibility in student's hands is very necessary. I appreciate that there is a school wide approach to handling the issue at your school. At my school and probably many others the teachers are left to deal with the issue alone. When they come up with a plan, they are often not supported. Is this your principal's idea or is this something that is coming from your district?

9/25/2014 03:05:55 am

Im not sure if it is the principal or the district, but the other High Schools in the area do not have the posters and are not holding the training sessions, or the in school TV interviews. I think you have hit on a major fault in our school system "teachers are left to deal with the issue alone". If a teacher doesn't feel the support of their peers and senior decision makers it creates a feeling of angst. Students know this and it plays into their hands. I will ask if this is a Seminole County school policy or an individual action by this principal.

Blaine Helmick link

9/19/2014 10:43:30 am

I completely agree that this is the right way to go. Let me give a practical example. I was a high-school drop out. I left for a myriad of reasons: I was bored, I didn't like the "social" focus of the brick and mortar high school being around its sporting teams than academics, and I felt I just wasn't learning so why stay? After a bit on my own I decided to go get a high school diploma from Seminole Community College which has an "adult" high school on campus. In my orientation they made the rules extremely clear: This is not school as you remember it; mess up and we kick you out; fight on campus we kick you out; professors can remove you for any reason at any time; there is no "detention", you're just gone; you can get up and leave at anytime, no one is forcing you to be here.

Let me tell you, there were zero incidents. Kids (and it was mostly 16 to 19 year old kids) were there to learn; period. Those who didn't like it anymore just left and didn't come back. The rules were so plainly simple that everyone understood them. In turn, the academic environment was amazing; real college professors taught classes, and because they were engaged the students thrived. My GPA in brick-and-mortar high school was a 1.7; my GPA at SCC was a 3.8. I spent two years in each, that ought to tell you something.

The bottom line is I have lived this philosophy of 'set the expectations and enforce them' and it works. I applaud your principal for taking this step just as I applaud you for being part of this amazing transformation. Bravo; we need more teachers and administrators like you all.

9/25/2014 03:13:51 am

I totally agree! I see it every day with my daughter, who opted to complete her senior year math and science requirements on-line. The disruption, lack of discipline and novice teachers make the classroom an impossible place to learn. With out a zero tolerance the students take advantage of the classroom playground. With the personal decision to follow the Academic Integrity Honor Code the classrooms are easier to manage. Kids actually monitor themselves. By the way congrats for beating the odds and taking your education into your own hands. It was like you designed your own personal academic integrity honor code.

Kelly Kusterman

9/19/2014 11:42:33 am

Jane-

It sounds like your principal is starting down the right track towards many successful school years. Instead of negatively attacking the problem and relating the idea to negative consequences, the students will be thinking about how positive choices is leading them towards success. The students will work towards fulfilling their honor code and understand expectations. Kids need and thrive in environments with clear boundaries and expectations. The technology scene is another great example where we can implement this same plan.

We implement an honor code which includes plagiarism details at our school. It is a constant reminder to students of our expectations of a school community and show what will not be tolerated. It clearly portrays that plagiarism is not tolerated without the negative connotation.

Nicely done, Jane! It sounds like your school and teachers are moving towards the right direction. It's great when educators reflect on the work they are doing and change for the better.

Kelly

9/25/2014 03:16:16 am

Thanks Kelly, I agree that "Kids need and thrive in environments with clear boundaries and expectations", but I also think they need buy in, I hope that is what is happening with this policy of academic integrity.

Erica

9/19/2014 12:40:18 pm

Jane,
I am glad your principal decided to allow students to make informed choices! Students feel they are in control of their choices and have an intrinsic motivation to do what's right!
I wish I had that when I was growing up, I think I would have become more of a leader than a follower!
Erica

9/25/2014 03:18:42 am

I agree. She has really stepped out and I see a difference in the attitude of the students when they talk about the movement. Academic Integrity, they like it.

Trust and Respect

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