• Magnet and School Policies

    Every faculty member and student at Van Nuys High School belongs to a community of scholars where academic integrity and the pursuit of excellence are fundamental commitments. Students come to this school not only to improve their minds, gain knowledge, and develop skills that will assist them in their life's work, but also to build character. This Ethical Contract is intended to promote and protect an atmosphere of trust, fairness and respect at Van Nuys High School.

    Cheating:

    Cheating is a form of dishonesty where a student attempts to give the appearance of a level of knowledge or skill that the student has not obtained. Examples include:

    1. Copying from another person's work during an examination or while completing an assignment. 
    2. Allowing someone to copy during an examination or while completing an assignment. 
    3. Using any unauthorized materials not specifically approved by the instructor during any exam or while completing any assigned work. 
    4. Collaborating on any group or individual assignment without the direct authorization of the instructor. 
    5. Taking an examination or completing an assignment for another, or permitting another to take an examination or to complete an assignment for you. 
    6. Altering a graded work after it has been returned, then submitting the work for re-grading 
    7. Submitting identical or similar papers for credit in more than one course without prior permission from the course instructors. 
    8. Stealing, reproducing, circulating or otherwise gaining access to examination materials prior to the time authorized by the instructor; 
    9. Retaining, possessing, using or circulating previously given examination materials, where those materials clearly indicate they are to be returned to the instructor at the conclusion of the examination; 
    10. Providing false information in connection with any inquiry regarding academic integrity. 
    11. Falsifying of records and/or official documents: academic records; grade reports, letters of permission, add/drop forms, ID cards, lunch passes, absence excuses, parent notes, etc. 
    12. Continuing work on an examination or assignment after the allocated time has elapsed.

    Plagiarism:

    Plagiarism is a form of intellectual theft that violates widely recognized principles of academic integrity. It is the verbatim repetition or paraphrasing, without acknowledgment, of another person’s writing.* Violations include:

    1. Copying another student's work and submitting it as one's own work (i.e. homework, term papers, group projects etc.). 
    2. Using any other person or organization to prepare work which one then submits as his/her own. 
    3. Paraphrasing the thoughts of another writer without acknowledgment. 
    4. Citing a source that does not exist. 
    5. Attributing to a source ideas and information that are not included in the source. 
    6. Citing a source in a bibliography when the source was neither consulted nor cited in the body of the paper. 
    7. Intentionally distorting the meaning or applicability of data.
    8. Inventing data or statistical results to support conclusions. 

    *All significant phrases, clauses, or passages taken directly from source material must be acknowledged either in the text itself, in footnotes, or in any other format specified by the teacher.

    Other:

    Any other misconduct that includes other academically dishonest, deceitful, or inappropriate acts

    Examples of such acts include but are not limited to:

    1. Pressuring or encouraging another student to participate in any violation of the ethics code. 
    2. Planning with another to commit any act of academic dishonesty. 
    3. Profiting financially or otherwise from the avocation and/or support of any unethical act.

    Consequences for Violations of Ethical Standards

    Any violations of this code occurring in the classroom will be subject to penalties established by the classroom teacher. The classroom teacher may, in addition, refer the incident to the Counseling Office. These referrals, or any violations occurring outside the classroom, will be subject to additional disciplinary actions established by the Counseling Office.

    Sanctions may include but are not limited to:

    1. Reduced or failing grade.
    2. Notification of parents.
    3. Suspension from school.
    4. Parent conference.
    5. Required parent attendance with student in class.
    6. A letter of reprimand. 
    7. Signing of a probationary contract to be placed in the student cumulative record.
    8. Notification of offense in school disciplinary computer record.
    9. Notification to other current teachers.
    10. Exclusion from school activities such as graduation activities, dances, sporting events, field trips, hospital assignment, etc.
    11. Loss of college recommendation letters.
    12. Any appropriate combination of the above.


    The Ethical Standards for behavior at Van Nuys High School serve as a framework for the development of good character. Adherence to such standards engenders the integrity and trust necessary for a flourishing academic community where both teachers and students can thrive.

    Credit: We would like to acknowledge that some portions of this document have been drawn from other Honor Codes: Stanford University Honor Code, Brigham Young University Academic Honesty Code, Charleston College Honor System, Cornell University Statement of Academic Integrity, Northwestern University Principles of Academic Integrity, The WestPoint Honor Code. Also, special credit is given to the 1997-98 Magnet Student Honor Code Committee of Van Nuys High School for their invaluable assistance in the preparation of this Honor Code. (CJH 3-24-99)