Academic_Integrity_Policy
Admission Policy
Assessment Policy
Language Policy
Inclusion Policy
Honor Code Acknowledgement
The Honor Code of the IB at Vanguard
Student and Parent Acknowledgment of the Academic Integrity Policy
The International Baccalaureate’s statement on why IB World Schools are required to have a written academic integrity policy: An academic integrity policy ensures that a school’s procedures for this practice are transparent, fair and consistent as well as age-appropriate and accessible to the learning community. It describes the rights and responsibilities of all members of the school community so that everyone understands what constitutes good practice, student academic misconduct and school maladministration, and what actions are to be taken if there are transgressions. The policy should be dynamic and ensure that students are taught good practice in all aspects of their work and that teachers are properly trained to offer the required support. The policy should be a reflection of the authentic school practice and processes related to academic integrity.
The members of the IB Faculty are opposed to academic malpractice for several reasons.
- It is morally wrong.
- It breaks the trust in student/teacher and student/student relationships.
- It misrepresents a student’s mastery of the subject to parents, employers, and colleges.
- It distorts the teacher’s perception of curriculum effectiveness and class progress.
- It allows a student to receive the same or better grade than students who have put in the time and effort to master the material.
- It inflates grades and unfairly raises grade point averages and class rank, simultaneously lowering the rank of the students who do the work.
As a student of the IB at Vanguard, you are expected to maintain the highest standards of academic integrity.
Students who are mature enough to choose a rigorous and valuable program must also be mature enough to accept the expectations and responsibilities that come with it. By signing this Honor Code, students and parents acknowledge their understanding and compliance of these expectations and responsibilities.
Suspected violations of academic malpractice will be investigated by the IB Coordinator. A first confirmed offense will result in loss of credit, teacher conferencing, parent contact, and documentation. A second confirmed offense results in these consequences and a review by the Academic Integrity Committee – annually comprised of three-to-five IB Faculty members, the IB Coordinator, and a member of the Vanguard Administration. This review may ultimately result in the student’s removal from the IB at Vanguard. See the Academic Integrity Policy for definitions and examples of academic malpractice.
Expectations for Attendance, Behavior, and Grades
Attendance:
Because of the nature of the coursework in the IB program, attendance in class is of critical importance to student success. While assignments can be posted online, and written work and tests can be made up, class discussions and lectures cannot. This program requires collaborative projects in several curriculum groups. What students learn from peers is extremely valuable. When students are not present, the morale of the entire class and the achievement of the group are compromised. In addition, absences create extra work for teachers who are highly accountable for student success. Therefore, it is expected that students will be present in class.
Please review the handbook for the Marion County Public Schools attendance policies. All notes must be turned in to the attendance clerk within three (3) days of returning to school. It is important that students contact the teacher, peers, and/or teacher website or Canvas site to determine assignments so they can be handed in upon return to school. Please plan trips, medical and dental appointments, etc. before or after school or during holiday breaks from school. When attendance interferes with student achievement, the IB Counselor will review absenteeism with the student/parent, and the situation may be reviewed by the Academic Integrity Committee.
Behavior:
The faculty and staff of the IB at Vanguard support the development of the IB Learner Profile traits in our students. Therefore, we focus on one of these traits each month of the school year. It is our hope that students strive to be inquirers, knowledgeable, thinkers, communicators, principled, open-minded, caring, risk-takers, balanced, and reflective. We celebrate exemplary IB students throughout the school year.
The Marion County Code of Student Conduct should be read and understood by students and parents. Students in the IB at Vanguard are not held to different standards, and their consequences for poor behavioral choices are not different than any other student at Vanguard High School.
The expectation of our faculty, staff and students is that IB students have chosen to enroll in this magnet program because they enjoy learning and the challenge of academic achievement at high levels. Any consistent behavior which interferes with this expectation will be addressed by classroom teachers, as needed, and the situation may be reviewed by the Academic Integrity Committee. Any student receiving a suspension is subject to dismissal from the program, and students who receive a level 3 or 4 discipline infraction may have their magnet/out of area offer rescinded, per Marion County Board policy.
Grades:
It is expected that students maintain an unweighted GPA of 2.8. Cumulative GPA is recalculated each January and each June. Students at or below the 2.8 threshold will be placed on academic probation for the semester. Should improvement not be made, the student may lose his/her placement in the IB at Vanguard. Academic support is offered in varying forms throughout the school year: academic counseling, parent conferences, before and after school teacher office hours, peer tutoring, etc.
Acknowledgement:
I understand that as a student in the IB at Vanguard, I must maintain an unweighted GPA at 2.8 or above, will exhibit consistent attendance and good behavior, and will successfully complete all IB requirements.
I also understand that if I am credit deficient at any point, I may be removed from the IB at Vanguard. If I am removed or if I choose to leave the IB at Vanguard, I may be required to return to my zoned high school if another educational choice option is not available.
I have read, understand, and agree to the conditions of this Honor Code upon entering the IB at Vanguard.
Student Name ___________________ Date _________________________
Student Signature ________________ Parent Signature ______________
Per our Academic Integrity Policy, students will review these expectations at least once annually, if not more.