Honor+Contract

Plagiarism is no fun, but it happens, and it's important to be prepared to deal with it in a manner that is clear, fair, and consistent.

In order to be truly clear and to prevent issues down the road, my cooperating teacher and her partner teacher developed the following Honor Contract. Each student signs one of these in September, as do their parent(s)/guardian(s) and both of the teachers who partner to teach the block. Everyone in the learning community acknowledges and accepts the same definitions and consequences of cheating, plagiarism, and misrepresentation.

Unfortunately, I discovered major plagiarism during a major project. Fortunately, I was able to revert to this contract when confronting the kids and calling their parents. I highly recommend its use (or adapted use) by any teacher whose content area includes assessing a great deal of student writing.

PLEASE READ THOROUGHLY.**
 * HONOR CONTRACT


 * The purpose of this contract is to provide teacher, student, and parent(s)/guardian(s) with common definitions of cheating, plagiarism, and misrepresentation, and to make clear the consequences of cheating, plagiarism, and misrepresentation.**

o Forging signatures o Copying another student’s work – for quizzes, tests, class work and homework. Even if you are doing group work, you need to put your own thought into what goes on your individual paper. **If you allow someone to copy from your paper, you will suffer the same consequences of cheating.** o Copying word for word from a book, periodical, web site, etc. **without** giving credit to your source. We will be using MLA citation, but if in doubt, at least note where you got the material (book title & page number, web address & date, author, etc.) o Copying an idea, while just changing some words here and there, from a book, periodical, web site, etc. without giving credit to your source.
 * Actions that fall into the category of cheating, plagiarism, and misrepresentation are these:**

I treat Cheating, Plagiarism, and Misrepresentation **VERY seriously**. I consider it an insult to myself as your teacher, and to you as a student. Often, students cheat because they don’t understand the assignment. If you feel that you need help with something, then ask me – I will help. Other times, students cheat because they fell the pressure to be perfect all of the time. In this case, you need to consider whether that image of perfection is worth your moral and academic integrity. Finally, some students will cheat because the deadline is near and they have not properly prepared for their assignment. If you have budgeted your time poorly, then take responsibility for poor judgment. DO NOT CHEAT!

o A grade of 0 without the chance to make up the assignment o Loss of credit in “participation: o A phone call from me to your parents o A disciplinary referral to your administrator. **You should note this:** When you apply for colleges and when teachers fill out letter or recommendation forms for colleges, the college always asks if the student has been disciplined by the school for any reason and if there is any reason to doubt this students’ integrity. If you cheat, plagiarize, or misrepresent yourself, then you have clearly compromised your integrity, and compromised integrity is not what colleges are looking for from their incoming students. o If there is a second occurrence of this, then, according to the school handbook, the student will be administered a short-term suspension, with possible loss of credit in the course. o My disappointment and your missed learning opportunity.
 * Consequences of cheating, plagiarism, or misrepresentation are these:**

By signing below, I indicate my understanding of the above definitions and consequences of cheating, plagiarism, and misrepresentation.

Teacher(s):

Student:

Parent(s)/Guardian(s):

________

This contract was developed by Carolyn Kenney Hall and Karen Grace, Roosevelt H.S., Seattle, WA __