ACADEMIC INTEGRITY POLICY
Academic Integrity Policy
- Harvest Vision
- Harvest Mission
- IB Mission
- What is Academic Integrity?
- Purpose of Academic Integrity Policy
- Role of Citing and Acknowledging Original Authorship
- IB and the AI Tools
- Examples of MLA Citation
- Academic Misconduct Look Alike
- Guidelines for Students to Avoid Misconduct
- Legitimate Collusion
- Roles and Responsibilities of the Stakeholders
- Procedures for the Reporting & Monitoring of Academic Misconduct
- Consequences of Academic Misconduct
- Checklist for Teachers to Ensure Academic Integrity
Harvest Vision
Nurture happy learners who embody ethics, excel in their chosen fields, and contribute to the betterment of society.Harvest Mission
Harvest International School is dedicated to providing personalized holistic education, leveraging technology for academic growth and innovation. Our inclusive and value-centric approach develops confident, globally minded individuals who embrace diversity. With the guidance of exceptional educators and partnering with parents, we provide a supportive environment, instilling a lifelong love for learning and empathy.The IB Mission Statement
The International Baccalaureate aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect. To this end, the organization works with schools, governments, and international organizations to develop challenging programs of international education and rigorous assessment. These programs encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate, and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right.Philosophy
In line with the IB Learner Profile of being principled, we believe it is essential that all teachers, regardless of discipline expertise, provide correct and consistent guidance on how to effectively work collaboratively, how to properly cite sources, and to support a transparent learning environment so that students complete their tasks with integrity from the start. It is during the school years that students’ characters are formed, and equipped with the skills to work independently. Our students are encouraged to be lifelong learners who act responsibly towards a peaceful, sustainable future.IB Standard B1.5d
The school has developed and implements an academic integrity policy that is consistent with IB expectations.Academic Integrity at Our School
Our school defines academic integrity as a set of values and skills that promote personal integrity in teaching, learning, and assessment. We believe that in order to achieve this, it is important that we focus on educating our students to be principled, to recognize and celebrate authentic student work, and to take pride in promoting student learning through inquiry that includes responsible use of information and communication of original work.Important to Know
The Academic Integrity Policy is designed to define and clarify the expectations associated with the submission of authentic work. It will provide staff, students, parents, counselors, and administrators with a common understanding of malpractices, define the responsibilities of all parties in preventing malpractices, and encourage principled behavior in the learning environment of our schools.What is Academic Integrity?
Academic integrity is acknowledging responsibility for the production of students’ own work, recognition of the work of others, and maintaining honor and trust in the learning environments of our schools. In order to understand appropriate academic integrity practice, it is important to clarify behavior that can lead to an unfair advantage in academic work, hereby referred to as malpractice.Purpose of Academic Integrity Policy
Academic integrity in the IB is a principle informed by the attributes of the IB Learner Profile. As stated, all members of the IB community must strive to be “principled”, acting with “integrity and honesty, with a strong sense of fairness and justice, and with respect for the dignity and rights of people everywhere”. Students must demonstrate academic integrity at all times and avoid any form of academic misconduct. Academic integrity forms the backbone of our school community, one dedicated to learning, to the search for understanding, and to open, critical inquiry. In practice, academic integrity refers to a complex of ethical principles and behaviors that pertain to everyone — not just students — teaching, learning, and working in an academic context.Worth Being Familiar
Academic misconduct is defined as behavior that results in, or may result in, the student or another student gaining an unfair advantage in one or more assessment components (MYP: From Principles into Practice 95). Malpractice includes plagiarism, collusion, and duplication of work, etc. (as defined below). Intellectual property (IP) refers to creations of the mind, such as inventions; literary and artistic works; designs; and symbols, names, and images used in commerce. Forms of intellectual and creative expression, for example, works of literature, art, or music, must be respected and are normally protected by law. Laws safeguard IP through mechanisms like patents, copyright, and trademarks. These legal protections allow individuals to gain acknowledgment or financial rewards for their innovations or creations. By carefully weighing the rights of innovators against broader societal interests, the IP framework seeks to cultivate an atmosphere conducive to creativity and advancement. Authentic authorship could be attributed to something because it’s considered “genuine,” where its origin or authorship isn’t in question, distinguishing it from an imitation. Authorship gives credit and implies accountability for published work, so there are academic, social, and financial implications. It is very important to make sure people who have contributed to a paper are given credit as authors and that people who are recognized as authors understand their responsibility and accountability for what is being published.Role of Citing and Acknowledging Original Authorship
Citing sources helps the reader distinguish one’s ideas from those of its sources. This emphasizes the originality of a person’s own work. Giving credit to the original author by citing sources is the only way to use other people’s work without plagiarizing. But there are a number of other reasons to cite sources:- Citations are extremely helpful to anyone who wants to find out more about a person’s ideas and where they came from.
- Citing sources shows the amount of research one has done.
- Citing sources strengthens one’s work by lending outside support to his/her ideas.
The IB and Artificial Intelligence Tools
At Harvest, we recognize the potential of artificial intelligence tools in strengthening the skills of IB learners. The IB philosophy emphasizes the importance of collaborating with these tools rather than resisting them, and embracing their capabilities. Transparency is central to the IB ethos, requiring students to acknowledge and credit any sources or materials utilized in their work. When incorporating external sources, citations must be provided at the relevant points within the text, with a comprehensive reference included in the bibliography. Simply listing references at the end of the paper is insufficient; each citation within the text should correspond to a complete reference in the bibliography. Citation is required:- Whenever a person borrows words or ideas, he/she needs to acknowledge its source. The following situations almost always require citation:
- Use of quotes
- Use of images
- Paraphrase
- Use of an idea that someone else has already expressed
- Make specific reference to the work of another
- Role of someone else’s work in developing the idea
MLA Citation Examples
How to Cite a Book
An MLA book citation always includes the author(s), title (italicized), publisher, and publication year in the Works Cited entry. If relevant, also include the names of any editors or translators, the edition, and the volume. Example: Smith, Thomas. The Citation Manual for Students: A Quick Guide. 2nd ed., Wiley, 2020.How to Cite a Journal Article
For a journal article, the citation contains the author(s); article title; journal name; volume and issue; month and year; page range; and a DOI if accessed online. In the in-text citation, include the author’s last name and the page number. Example: Andreff, Wladimir. “The Evolving European Model of Professional Sports Finance.” Journal of Sports Economics, vol. 1, no. 3, Sept. 2000, pp. 257-76, https://doi.org/10.1177/152700250000100304.How to Cite a Website
The website citation includes the author’s name, the title of the page (in quotation marks), the name of the website (in italics), the publication date, and the URL (without “https://”). Example: Slat, Boyan. “Whales Likely Impacted by Great Pacific Garbage Patch.” The Ocean Cleanup, 10 Apr. 2019, www.theoceancleanup.com/updates/whales-likely-impacted-by-great-pacific-garbage-patch.Procedures and Practices
School Responsibilities
- Explain and reinforce the policy regularly
- Explain to students what academic misconduct is, and the rights and responsibilities of all students
- Make students aware of this document and its contents at the start of every academic year, by distributing copies to them and to parents
- Make all students aware of what constitutes plagiarism and other forms of academic dishonesty, such as the consequences of academic misconduct
- Refer to this policy in the school bulletin and teacher information material at the start of every academic year
- Investigate cases of academic misconduct fairly and consistently
- Promote the role of guidance counselors in providing instruction and guidance on academic integrity
Student Responsibilities
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- Present only authentic work
- Fully and correctly acknowledge the work and ideas of others
- Respect all forms of intellectual property, including patents, registered designs, trademarks, moral rights, and copyright
- Seek clarification from teachers or guidance counselors if uncertain about what constitutes plagiarism
- Adhere to deadlines set for handing in assignments
- Assume responsibility for developing personal values and the ability to act with integrity
- Ensure that their work does not give unfair advantage to another student
What does misconduct look like?
| Misconduct | Definition | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Plagiarism | The Representation of ideas or work of another person as the student’s own – Presenting as your own (with or without the author’s permission) information collected, organized, or written by someone else. Plagiarism can include taking someone’s ideas or concepts and portraying them as your own. Plagiarism can be intentional and unintentional, but both are treated the same way. | Copying an article from a website and not giving credit but not understanding you had to give credit…it is plagiarism. Always ask your teacher if you should give the original author credit if you are unsure. Copying and pasting information from a website into your work, and then failing to give the website credit. Reading an article or a text, taking ideas from it, and then claiming them as your own ideas. |
| Collusion | Supporting academic misconduct by another student, as in allowing one’s work to be copied or submitted for assessment by another. | You let another student copy from your homework. The teacher gives a lab report to be completed individually and you work with other students but submit the work with only your name on it. If the teacher gives work to be completed individually, you should not work with other students or give friends your work. This is known as unacceptable collusion. In an exam, test, or quiz, you share your answers with other students taking the same exam, test, or quiz. |
| Duplication | The presentation of the same work for different assessment components. | You completed a Design Evaluation in MYP 4 and you copied parts of it to complete your Personal project Design related report in MYP. |
| Cheating | Behavior that gives an unfair advantage e.g., saying you have turned in an assignment when you did not, using cheat sheets, electronic devices, fabricating information trying to earn more time or credit on an assignment, project, or exam. | Misrepresenting yourself on a summative task such as saying you have turned in an assignment when you did not. Using restricted material during an assessment task, such as cheat sheets, or electronic devices. Leaving the room during an assessment task and using restricted materials prior to returning. Fabricating information to try to earn more time or credit on an assignment, project, or exam. |
| Fabrication/Falsification of Data | Misrepresenting the results of your research. | Modifying experimental data to show a nonexistent correlation that would support your hypothesis. |
| Facilitation of academic dishonesty | Helping others cheat. | Giving a friend exam answers or taking an exam in their place. |
| Contract cheating | Paying or bribing someone to help you cheat. | Buying exam answers, pre-written essays, etc. |
| Deceit | Lying or falsifying information. | Fabricating an illness to get out of an exam. |
| Use of translated material without Attribution | Copying a passage of text, translating this passage into another language, and using the translated text without acknowledging its source still constitutes plagiarism. | Copying a passage of text, translating it, and using it without acknowledging its source. |
Guidelines for Students to Avoid Misconduct
To Avoid Plagiarism
If you ever use someone else’s words or ideas, give them credit. In the same sentence where you copied their ideas or words, you must mention the author or location where you found the information. Using outside sources makes a better argument and gives your work greater credibility.To Avoid Collusion
Always do your own work. If you are unsure, ask your teacher before you ask a classmate. During an exam or other assessments, avoid talking or looking at classmates. Raise your hand to make a request to the teacher.To Avoid Duplication
Start a new document whenever you start a new assignment, and avoid copying anything from earlier work. Ask your teacher when you are unsure if you can borrow an idea from a previous piece of work.To Avoid Cheating
Leave all electronic devices in your locker when taking an assessment. Avoid talking to or looking at classmates during an assessment. Be a principled human being and tell the truth.To Avoid Fabrication/Falsification of Data
It’s better to clearly define and document research protocols, methodologies and procedures to avoid any fabrication at the end. Also, implementing monitoring mechanisms to detect any unusual patterns or inconsistencies in data will be useful while conducting the research.To Avoid Facilitation of Academic Dishonesty
The first thing is to take pride in your work and learning process. We have to understand that assessments are meant for the development of critical thinking and identification of learning gaps, so it should be considered as the process of self-reflection and improvement. So it’s better to do strategic planning, time management and adopt techniques for your study that suits your style.To Avoid Contract Cheating
Develop effective study habits, with the legitimate resources, consulting the teacher/instructor, developing critical thinking, commit to academic integrity and be aware of available support services, such as writing centers or tutoring, to help in improving the skills and confidence in completing assignments.To Avoid Deceit
Avoiding deceit is an ongoing process that requires self-awareness, commitment, and a genuine desire to build and maintain trust. Build a relationship with your instructor and explore alternative assessment methods. Develop healthy coping strategies for stress and challenge by consistently practicing honesty and integrity, you contribute to a more trustworthy and ethical environment.Legitimate Collusion
Group Work
The teacher allows students to work in a group and if each student is contributing towards his/her role, this collusion is legitimate, wherein, in a group work if all are not performing/contributing as per their given role and still the report carries credits for all, this is unacceptable collusion.Individual Work
The teacher gives a lab report to be completed individually and the student works with other students but submits the work with his/her name on it, this is unacceptable. To address such incidents, a formal complaint is raised against the student and escalated to the involved stakeholders like coordinators, teachers, and parents. After the enquiry, the final decision will be made at the discretion of the teacher and coordinator.Roles and Responsibilities
Pedagogical Leadership Team
1. Create the academic integrity policy collaboratively with the teachers, promoting good practices and fostering a safe school environment that motivates the school community to act honestly. 2. Ensure the policy document practices are implemented. 3. Promote and encourage teachers to educate students regarding the policy. 4. Enforce the consequences when a student or teacher violates the policy.Teachers
1. Early Introduction: Begin introducing the concept of academic integrity from the earliest grades. Explain in simple terms what it means to do one’s own work, give credit to others, and why it’s important. 2. Role Modeling: Academic integrity can be demonstrated through practicing self-honesty, proper citation, and responsible behavior in teachings and interactions. If faced with a challenging question, a teacher can demonstrate how researching the answer and sharing the process can support learning. Discussions can be initiated on real-world ethical dilemmas, highlighting the importance of ethical decision-making and integrity. 3. Create a Supportive Learning Environment: Give students confidence in their own skills and potential. Implement the school’s academic integrity policy through relevant ATL skills development in all subject group classes. Provide guidance regarding studying, writing academic documents, inquiring, and citing sources so that students gain a clear idea of the purpose of correct citation and referencing in a variety of disciplines. Promote a classroom environment that encourages academic integrity and critical thinking. Allow time to teach important skills (note-taking, citing & referencing, etc.). Ensure that students feel confident to ask for support when needed. 4. Clarify Expectations: Clearly communicate the expectations and the rules of the course (late submissions, use of plagiarism detection software, etc.). Detailed explanation on strategies and tools to be used for checking the authenticity of the work. Provide clear definitions of all forms of academic misconduct and unethical behavior with examples. Clear directions on collaborative & group learning and independent work. 5. Recognize Student Stress and Support Them: Coordinate and establish tasks and deadlines collaboratively with teachers from different subject areas to prevent students from facing simultaneous deadlines. Teach students about time management. Identify early indicators when students may seek shortcuts as a result of stress or anxiety and assist them in comprehending the repercussions of engaging in academic misconduct. During assessments, all teachers collaboratively work on less homework or no homework policy. Regular reminders to the students about the course expectations.Librarian
Support teachers and students in identifying good practices regarding academic integrity and actively engage in promoting the importance of research ethics. Provide authentic resources for teaching and learning by ensuring that students and researchers have access to a wide range of academic resources, including books, journals, databases, and other materials. Offer personalized research assistance to help students locate relevant, credible, and scholarly sources. Collaborate with faculty members to integrate information literacy and academic integrity concepts into the curriculum. Introduction and promotion of plagiarism detection tools that can help students review their work for unintentional plagiarism before submitting assignments. Creates/Develops subject-specific resource guides that point students to reputable sources for their research. This may involve discussions, presentations, or events that emphasize the ethical responsibilities of researchers. Provide guidance regarding citing sources so that students gain a clear idea of the purpose of correct citation and referencing in a variety of disciplines.Students
1. Learn and practice academic integrity as part of their ATL skill development and be aware that the coordinator, librarian, and teachers are available to offer further advice and guidance. 2. Support the spirit of academic integrity both in attitude and action when completing all assignments. 3. Understand that no assignment is excluded from this policy. 4. Receive and sign a student version of relevant academic integrity forms to show comprehension and compliance with the school’s Academic Integrity Policy.Families
1. Support the ethical values of honesty and integrity. 2. Share the school’s enforcement of the academic integrity policy, especially with regards to work done outside of school.Procedures for the Reporting, Recording, and Monitoring of Academic Misconduct
Upon any instance of a suspected violation of the Academic Integrity Policy, the following procedure will be followed: 1. The teacher who assigned the work will carry out an investigation. In the process, the teacher will: Consult the Program Coordinator to determine a plan. Consult with the student involved. Consult with any other individuals who may be involved. 2. If the teacher determines the student is responsible for the misconduct, he/she will document in Incident Report Register which is kept with the Program Coordinator and/or Head of School. Alternatively, the incident is reported through a Google form and evidence is saved for further reference. 3. Action plans are made and follow-up is done by the teacher/Coordinator/Head of School. 4. To ensure the violation is not repeated, the student will meet with the teacher to learn what steps should be taken in the future to avoid this type of academic misconduct. The student must reflect on the incident and a handwritten, duly signed copy must be maintained as evidence. The teacher should provide a summary of this meeting to the Program Coordinator who will attach it to the original incident report.Consequences of Academic Misconduct
Academic misconduct is treated as a learning opportunity. Instances of verbatim copying or lack of citation are considered first draft material, and students are taught or re-taught the skills needed to rework the material in their own words and to cite quotations. Self-evaluation and teacher explanations of rubrics are created to provide methods for reflection on a student’s ability to do academically honest work, and goals will be set by the student or together with the student and teacher to improve skills and attitudes leading to academic integrity. Malpractice is generally considered to be the result of a lack of language and/or research skills and is addressed accordingly. In the event that a student with proficient language skills willfully and deliberately continues malpractice, the following can occur: 1. The student may be asked to redo the work, but he/she may not receive full credit for the work. 2. The Programme Coordinator will meet with the student and the teacher to discuss the incident. If need be, seek support from counselors for further guidance for any behavioral issues. 3. A conference including parents, teacher, student, and Programme Coordinator will take place to discuss the academic misconduct and how to avoid it in the future. Based on the pulse of the violation, the student may have a meeting called between the Principal and parents. 4. In rare and extreme cases, the student may be placed on an academic contract or receive in-school/off-campus suspension.| Criteria | Yes/No |
| Are students learning and practicing academic integrity as part of their ATL skill development across subject groups/Personal projects etc? | |
| Are students taught to give credits to the source (whether internet, book, etc.) whenever they use someone else’s ideas or words? | |
| Are students encouraged to seek support from their teachers and the librarians when they do not know when or how to reference a source? | |
| Are teachers clearly recording and informing the amount of contribution done by each student in completing the work assigned whether individually or collaboratively in groups | |
| Are we engaging students to do self-reflection using the attributes of IB learner profile? |
Communication Plan
This academic integrity policy will be published on the parent portal for each grade level, and published in Managebac and shared Google Drive. The common referencing system will be MLA (Modern Language Association).
Learning Journey
Start explaining about academic integrity in early stages, not before the exams.
Role Model Integrity in Your Day to Day Teaching
Young children know that stealing is not so good and understand what it means to have an unfair advantage.
Consider Prior Learning
Think about the diverse skills, cultural backgrounds, and prior education your students bring as they begin their IB journey. This will help you customize your teaching strategies effectively.
Establish a Classroom Culture that Prioritizes Learning and Personal Growth Over Grades
By focusing on the learning journey rather than just the outcomes, students are more likely to understand the value of their own effort, learning, and integrity. This approach encourages them to engage with their studies authentically, seek help when needed, and take pride in their genuine accomplishments.
