I. The School Board of Sarasota County strongly believes that academic honesty must be practiced by all students.

A. Definition of Cheating: Cheating shall be defined as

a) The inappropriate and deliberate distribution or use of information, notes, materials, work of another person, or testing materials;

b) the unauthorized or inappropriate use of technology devices in the completion of an academic assessment or assignment.

II. Students are expected to demonstrate honesty and integrity at all times.

A. Each student is expected to do his or her own work, except where collaboration is permitted by the teacher. This includes test taking, homework, class assignments and the original creation of essays, compositions, term papers and research.

B. There is no distinction between giving and receiving unauthorized help; one who helps another to cheat is as guilty as one who benefits from cheating. All work submitted by the student should be a true reflection of that student’s own effort and ability.

C. Students shall not use Artificial Intelligence (AI) platforms to avoid doing their own work. AI platforms should only be used as a supplement when authorized by a teacher. Should AI be used, the student must acknowledge the use of AI related to their school work, attributing text, images, multimedia, etc. when using in their school work. Any use of AI should be in compliance with Policy 3.43 Internet Safety. AP, IB, ACE, and Dual Enrollment college and university classes may have additional restrictions and limitations regarding the use of AI.

D. Violation of this policy may result in disciplinary action, academic consequences, the loss of eligibility for local scholarships, and loss of honors, awards, and membership in extra-curricular activities.

E. Each year students and families will need to acknowledge receipt of the academic honesty policy which is included in the Student and Family Handbook during the registration process.