Academic Integrity & Use of AI Policy

1.1 Principles of Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a fundamental expectation at Ontario International High School (OIHS). It supports fair assessment, meaningful learning, and the integrity of the Ontario Secondary School Diploma.

Students are expected to:

• Complete and submit work that demonstrates their own knowledge, understanding, and effort.
• Acknowledge all sources of information, ideas, images, and data using appropriate citation practices.
• Act honestly and ethically in all learning and assessment activities.
• Respect the intellectual property and academic work of others.
• Protect their own work from unauthorized use by other students.

Academic integrity applies to all learning activities, including assignments, discussions, projects, presentations, quizzes, tests, examinations, and any other form of assessment completed through the school's learning platform or in synchronous learning environments.

1.2 Academic Dishonesty

Academic dishonesty is any action that compromises the integrity of the assessment process by misrepresenting a student's own knowledge, understanding, or effort.

Examples include, but are not limited to:

• Communicating or receiving answers during an assessment without authorization.
• Copying another person's responses during assessments.
• Permitting another individual to copy or submit one's work.
• Completing work collaboratively when individual work has been required.
• Submitting work purchased, downloaded, commissioned, or otherwise obtained from another source.
• Impersonating another student or allowing another person to complete academic work on the student's behalf.
• Accessing unauthorized materials, websites, notes, devices, or applications during an assessment or examination.
• Obtaining assessment materials before they are officially released.
• Falsifying research, data, references, records, or other academic information.

1.3 Definition of Plagiarism

Plagiarism is the presentation of another person's ideas, words, work, or creative expression as one's own without appropriate acknowledgment.

Examples include, but are not limited to:

• Copying text without proper citation.
• Paraphrasing without acknowledging the original source.
• Presenting ideas or research without appropriate credit.
• Submitting another student's work.
• Sharing one's work knowing another student may submit it.
• Purchasing or downloading completed assignments.
• Incorporating AI-generated content without appropriate disclosure where permitted.

Students are responsible for following the citation style required for each course.

1.4 Use of Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence tools may be used only as supportive resources in the learning process.

Rules Regarding AI Use

• AI may support learning but not replace original work.
• Submitted work must primarily represent the student's own thinking.
• Permitted AI use must be acknowledged when required.
• Students remain responsible for all submitted work.

Improper AI Use

Improper AI use includes:

• Submitting AI-generated work as original.
• Using AI where it is not authorized.
• Failing to disclose AI use when required.

OIHS may require an oral interview, supervised assessment, or supporting evidence such as drafts or revision history to verify authenticity.

The determination of inappropriate or excessive AI use rests with the teacher and the Education Team.

1.5 Investigation of Academic Integrity Concerns

OIHS reserves the right to investigate academic integrity concerns. Reviews may consider submitted work, platform records, document history, similarity detection, interviews, and professional academic judgment.

Students may be required to provide drafts, outlines, notes, or other evidence demonstrating their learning process.

1.6 Determination of Academic Misconduct

Academic misconduct includes plagiarism, cheating, unauthorized collaboration, impersonation, falsification of academic records, misuse of AI, and any behaviour compromising assessment integrity.

Determinations are based on assessment evidence, platform records, investigation findings, and professional academic judgment.

1.7 Intentional and Unintentional Violations

The distinction between intentional and unintentional violations is considered during the review process. However:

• Lack of awareness does not exempt a student from responsibility.
• Repeated unintentional violations may be treated as intentional.
• Educational measures may be applied in addition to disciplinary consequences.

1.8 Consequences

Consequences are determined case by case and may include:

• Resubmission.
• Alternative assessment.
• Mark reduction.
• Mark of zero.
• Academic integrity instruction.
• Parent/guardian notification where appropriate.
• Documentation in school records.
• Additional disciplinary measures consistent with school policy and Ontario Ministry requirements.