The mission of Wilde Lake High School promotes the belief that our school is a community of learners who embrace the value of lifelong learning and the power of knowledge. In addition, we expect students to take responsibility for their learning and thus maintain academic honesty and a positive learning environment.

Violations of the Academic Honor Code:

• Cheating: Students violate the honor code by cheating if they present material which is not their own work. Cheating also occurs when a student intentionally shares/gives work or information to another student when the student was responsible for obtaining his/her own work or attempts in any other way to gain an unfair academic advantage. For example, copying answers from another student, using one’s own notes when it is prohibited, or using technology to share information is cheating.
• Stealing: Students violate the honor code by stealing when they take, obtain, or use work without the express permission of the owner.
• Plagiarism is the use of another’s words or ideas and attributing them as one’s own. Thus, any time a person borrows from an existing source and does not give proper credit, he/she has committed plagiarism.
• Infringement: Intentionally destroying or damaging another student’s work is infringement.

Due Process: Students will be given the opportunity to discuss the specific Honor Code violation at a scheduled meeting with their teacher and instructional team leader. The progression of offenses will be implemented concurrently across all departments and cumulatively throughout four years or until the student graduates. For example, an infraction in English would qualify as the first offense, a subsequent offense in social studies constitutes a second offense, and an additional offense in math would make the third offense. Violations to the Academic Honor Code could impact membership in honorary organizations such as the National Honor Society.

Consequences for Violating the Academic Honor Code:

The Academic Honor Code applies to all academic courses and will be implemented if any of the violations occur in the context of a student’s academic work for which he/she receives credit.

First Offense: Students will receive no credit on an original assignment. The teacher will call the parent(s)/guardian and submit appropriate documentation to the student’s administrator. Serious violations may result in suspension from school or other discipline under the Howard County Public Schools (HCPSS) Student Code of Conduct.

Second Offense: Students will receive a grade of zero or no credit for the assignment. The teacher will call the parent(s)/guardian and will schedule a conference with the student’s administrator, instructional team leader, teacher, parent(s)/guardian and student. Documentation will be sent to the student’s administrator and may result in additional disciplinary consequences. Serious violations may result in suspension from school or other discipline under the HCPSS Student Code of Conduct.

Third and Any Subsequent Offenses: Student will receive no credit for the assignment and may be suspended. Serious violations may result in suspension from school or other discipline under the HCPSS Student Code of Conduct.