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Maine RSU 21

Maine Regional School Unit 21

Arundel · Kennebunk · Kennebunkport

JICD - ACADEMIC HONESTY POLICY

  • Section J: Students

JICD - ACADEMIC HONESTY POLICY

  1. Introduction

The staff of RSU 21 has a professional obligation to promote academic honesty and to instruct students in the distinction between honest and dishonest work. Plagiarism and other forms of academic dishonesty are not permitted. 

  1. Definition of Plagiarism

According to the Modern Language Association Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, 5th edition, “derived from the Latin word plagians (“kidnapper”), plagiarism refers to a form of cheating that has been defined as ‘the false assumption of authorship: the wrongful act of taking the product of another person’s mind and presenting it as one’s own’. To use another person’s ideas or expressions in your writing without acknowledging the source is to plagiarize. Plagiarism, then, constitutes intellectual theft” (30).

RSU 21 acknowledges that plagiarism may be unintentional; however, all students will be held accountable for violations of this plagiarism policy. Plagiarism includes, but is not limited to: 

  • Copying or gaining any other advantage from another’s test during a test or examination situation;
  • Copying an author’s text word-for-word without the use of quotation marks;
  • Quoting a source and failing to give proper citation;
  • Expressing in your own words or paraphrasing an author's language or ideas without citing the source;
  • Electronically reproducing audio, visual, verbal or written media, whether published or unpublished, in whole or part, without proper acknowledgement that it is someone else’s; and/or
  • Double submission (submitting the source work for credit in more than one course) unless approved beforehand by teachers.

The source of the plagiarism material may, for instance, be another student’s paper, a text, or an Internet site. The source does not change the degree of the plagiarism. The accessibility of online materials may increase the temptation to plagiarize. If there is uncertainty about the possibility of plagiarism, students are strongly encouraged to talk with a teacher or librarian and utilize the Turnitin.com program available in grades 6-12.

Ref. Gibaldi, Joseph. Modern language Association Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, 5th Edition.  The Modern Language Association, 1999.

  1. Appropriate Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

RSU 21 recognizes that AI tools, such as ChatGPT, Grammarly, and other generative AI technologies, can be valuable resources for learning and creativity. However, the use of AI in academic work must align with the principles of academic honesty and integrity. Misuse of AI tools that results in presenting AI-generated content as one’s own original work without proper acknowledgment constitutes academic dishonesty.

Students are expected to:

  • Clearly distinguish between their own work and AI-generated content. 
  • Avoid using AI to complete assignments, exams, or projects in a manner that bypasses the learning process or instructor guidelines; cite AI tools as requested by the teacher using appropriate citation formats (e.g., MLA, APA)
  • Refrain from using AI to generate entire assignments unless explicitly permitted by the teacher.

Examples of AI Misuse:

  • Submitting an AI-generated essay or section of text without acknowledgment.
  • Using AI to solve problems or generate answers during tests or quizzes unless authorized.
  • Relying on AI tools to paraphrase or rewrite large portions of text without giving credit.

Proper AI Citation Example:
In MLA format: ChatGPT. "Explain the causes of World War I." OpenAI, version 4.0, 2024.

  1. Notification and Communication

To ensure developmentally appropriate understanding and consistent expectations across all grades, each educational level—elementary, middle, and high school—will develop and publish clear academic honesty guidelines aligned with this district policy in each school’s handbook. These level-specific guidelines will define academic honesty in age-appropriate language, outline examples of academic dishonesty (including plagiarism and misuse of AI tools), and provide students and families with a clear explanation of the consequences and the process for addressing violations. This includes procedures for investigation, communication with families, restorative learning opportunities, and disciplinary responses as appropriate.

Teachers will provide guidance on the acceptable use of AI in specific assignments. Violations involving AI misuse will be treated as instances of academic dishonesty and will be subject to the same consequences outlined in the school handbook.

Cross Reference:

JIC - Code of Conduct 
IJNDB - Student Computer, Device, and Internet Use
GCSA – Employee Computer/Device and Internet Use
EGAD – Copyright Compliance

Adopted: 07/07/2008
Reviewed: 04/26/2010
Revised: 09/15/2025

 

  • Section J