The University of Cambridge program of study offers a quality education that not only ensures knowledge, but also cultivates virtues of honesty, integrity, and perseverance. Of these virtues, honor and integrity are essential to the full exercise of academic freedom. At the core of the Cambridge Honor Code is the belief that every student has the right to pursue an education free from the ills caused by any form of intellectual dishonesty. The Code exists to uphold and reinforce values central to the mission of the Cambridge Program in Clay District Schools. While understanding that the Cambridge program is rigorous and difficult, ethical conduct is expected at all times. Acts of academic dishonesty and level III/IV discipline issues are considered major offenses that compromise the foundation of trust and honesty upon which an academic community rests. 

Violations of the Cambridge Academic Honor Code consist of the following:

Receiving or giving unauthorized answers on tests, quizzes, essays, research or projects; Using any form of "cheat sheet" on tests / quizzes; Obtaining or giving copies of test or quiz questions prior to test time; Copying another student's work or homework without teacher permission; Guidance from parents or others that clearly is of undue influence (as evidenced by a comparison of day-to-day achievement of the student); Submitting the same academic work in more than one course without prior permission; Intentionally copying words or ideas of authors or sources (including the internet) without giving credit to the specific source or any representation of another's work as one's own; Fabricating  information, sources, or citations; Unauthorized use of computers. Students found by Cambridge to have committed candidate malpractice, which includes plagiarism and cheating, on an AICE examination will be immediately removed from the program. 

Students who see or know about acts of academic dishonesty are honor bound to take actions to stop such violations. Such actions include speaking directly to the offender, or speaking privately to a teacher or other adult. Failure to act implies that the student condones inappropriate behavior. 

Consequences of violations of the Academic Honor Code:

1st Offense: At a minimum the student will receive a "0" for the assignment; parents will be notified of the incident, the student will receive a written reprimand and a copy will be placed in the student's Cambridge program file. The student will be placed on probation or possibly removed from the program based on the severity of the offense.

2nd Offense: At a minimum the student will receive a "0" for the assignment and the student will face dismissal from the program.

Consequences of Disciplinary Infractions

Students who violate the Clay County Student Code of Conduct with a level III/IV offense are subject to immediate removal from the Cambridge program.  Students who commit level I or level II offenses could also face removal from the program.  Self discipline is an important aspect of cultivating honesty and integrity and is therefore a vital component of the Cambridge Program.  Students are expected to conduct themselves in an appropriate manner in all classes, on all Clay County campuses and during all school sponsored activities.

Academic Standing and Probation

The University of Cambridge program of study is a program which requires focus and commitment as it is a rigorous and challenging course of study. The intent of the academic standing and probation policy is to ensure that Clay District  students are maintaining appropriate and consistent focus on academic study. The academic probation period allows a student time to refocus and seek help with academic problems. A student will be considered on academic probation when violation of the Academic Standing Policy has occurred. This means that a student has not met a minimum threshold to be in good academic standing and will remain on probation until the end of the year.  

Violations of the Cambridge  Academic Standing Policy consist of the following:

High School Grades:  Receiving two C's of 74 or below or a D or an F in a class on the quarter report card.  (probation given)  

Students will be removed from the program at semester if there are no improvements in grades during the academic probation period. If the student is at the school on an SPA for the AICE program and is removed from the program, the SPA will be revoked and you will be required to transfer to your zoned school.

ATTENDANCE AND BEHAVIOR: School attendance plays a vital role in academic standing.  Cambridge program classes are rigorous, fast-paced classes.  It will be difficult to maintain acceptable grades without good attendance.  If grades drop and low attendance is found to play a part in that drop it will be cause for probation and possible removal from the program. It is the responsibility of the student and the family to initiate requests for, and to pick up, make-up work on the day the student returns to class from an excused absence.  All work from an excused absence can be made up within 24 hours for 100% credit.  For example, if a student misses three days, they have three days to complete missing assignments for full credit. If assessments are missed, the student will be required to take the assessment the day they return to school. Students in this program are held to the highest of standards in regard to following both teacher and school rules.  If a student receives a referral for violating these policies, they are subject to immediate removal from the Cambridge program. Excessive absenteeism is grounds for dismissal from the program.

Consequences of violations of Cambridge Academic Standing

If a student has violated the Cambridge academic standing requirements, parents will receive a letter of probationary status.  The probation is for the next reporting period, allowing students the opportunity to improve their academic standing.  The parents should at that point discuss homework arrangements and study timelines with the student, contact the teacher for strategies, and contact guidance for a possible conference, if needed.  If a student is placed on probationary status for behavior, cheating or plagiarism, any future violations will result in the immediate removal of the student from the Cambridge program. 

If a 9th grader does not pass any of their exams that they took their freshman year then they will be removed from the program for their sophomore year.  

Access to Technology  

I understand the importance of computer access for Cambridge Program students and that students must have access to a computer with Internet access, word processing capabilities, and a working printer either at home or in the community. It is important that students download (free) Adobe Reader or a comparable program in order to be able to view or download .pdf files. Students may find it helpful to have a flash drive of their own to store copies of Cambridge classwork/homework, or projects in case of a printer or computer failure. If an assignment or project is late because of technological problems at home the teacher may require a signed note from the parent to verify the problem.

Parents of Clay District students have the ability to access Synergy, which is the online grading program used by Clay District Schools.  This access allows you to view your child’s grades at any time. Instructions for registering to use Synergy are on the Clay District Schools website.  Cambridge parents will be expected to register for this access as soon as possible to monitor their child’s grades on a regular basis if needed.

HONOR CODE,  ACADEMIC STANDING, and ACCESS TO TECHNOLOGY ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I believe and acknowledge that academic honesty and integrity are essential to the existence and growth of any academic community. I believe and acknowledge that without maintaining high standards of honesty, integrity, and conduct the reputation of the academic community  and the Cambridge  program is compromised and society is poorly served. I believe that upholding my academic standing is integral to my success in the Cambridge program. Therefore, as a student in a Cambridge program, I agree to make a commitment to uphold and support the Honor Code and Academic Standing policy. I shall refrain from all forms of academic dishonesty.  I agree to report all personal knowledge of Honor Code violations to a teacher or administrator. I understand the consequences of breaches of the Honor Code and Academic Standing policy and that upon violation I will be removed from the program.