Serrano


ETHICS AND ACADEMIC HONESTY (AR5131.8)
Students of the Saddleback Valley Unified School District are subject to an Ethics Policy, which deals with students who cheat on tests or plagiarize assignments. All tests, quizzes, reports, homework, other assignments and any school related test (CAHSEE, AP, STAR.) are subject to this policy.

Cheating also includes looking at another student's paper, taking credit for work that is not your own, or talking during an exam.  Helping another student cheat on an exam, homework or other assignment is also a violation of the Ethics Policy if it has been made clear by the instructor that students are to work on their own and not collaborate.

Students, who violate the Ethics Policy while taking a major state and/or national examinations, such as SAT, PSAT, etc., will be removed from any and all extra class activities and elected or appointed leadership positions for the remainder of the school year.

The following action will be taken in regards to students in violation of this policy:
1st Offense:

  1. Automatic "O" (Failure) on assignment or test.
  2. Teacher contacts parent with details of offense and explains consequences including Ethics Policy Contract.
  3. Referral placed in student discipline file.
  4. Trimester citizenship grade will be lowered in the class where the violation occurred.
  5. Student is placed on probation for remainder of the school year. Student signs an Ethics Policy Contract, copy goes home for parent signature, teachers are notified, and a copy is placed in discipline file.
  6. If the Ethics Policy violation occurs in a student aide class, the student may be transferred to another elective.

2nd Offense:  (The second offense by the student during the period of probation)

  1. Automatic "O" (Failure) on assignment or test.
  2. Trimester academic grade in the class where the second offense occurred will be lowered by one grade level. Student assigned "U" in citizenship and work habits in the class for the trimester in which the second offense occurred.
  3. Referral placed in student discipline file and teachers are notified.
  4. Parent conference.
  5. Student removed from any and all elected or appointed leadership positions for the remainder of the school year.
  6. If Ethics Policy violation occurs in a student aide class, the student will be transferred from the aide class with grade of  "F".
  7. Student placed on In-school (Opportunities Class-OCS) Suspension.

3rd Offense: (The third offense by the student during the period of probation)

  1. Automatic "O" (Failure) on assignment or test.
  2. Trimester academic grade in the class where the third offense occurred will be lowered by one grade level. Student assigned "U" in citizenship and work habits in the class for the trimester in which the third offense occurred.
  3. Student transferred from class with grade of  "F".
  4. Referral placed in student discipline file.
  5. Parent Conference.
  6. Student placed on out of school (home) suspension.

 Students who wish to appeal these penalties may do so to the local site Ethics Committee. This committee is composed of four members; two teachers, an administrator, and a student. The student committee member will have an advisory vote. The accused student must file an appeal within ten working days from the date of the infraction.

Serrano
Serrano Intermediate 24642 Jeronimo Road Lake Forest, CA 92630 • Tel (949) 586-3221