SMA Academic Integrity

SMA Policies > Academics

Academic Integrity Policy

At Stella Maris Academy of Malolos (SMA), academic integrity is a fundamental principle that upholds honesty, fairness, and responsibility in education. Our commitment to academic integrity ensures that students develop strong ethical values while fostering a culture of trust and excellence within the learning community.

Students are expected to adhere to the highest standards of academic honesty, which include:

  • Avoiding any form of cheating during exams or assignments.
  • Properly citing sources to prevent plagiarism.
  • Completing all academic work independently, unless collaboration is explicitly allowed by the teacher.

Violations of this policy, including cheating, plagiarism, or fabrication of information, will result in disciplinary actions as outlined in the school’s Code of Conduct.

What is Plagiarism?

Plagiarism occurs when someone uses another person’s work, ideas, or words without proper acknowledgment. Examples of plagiarism include:

  • Copying and pasting text from the internet or books without citing the source.
  • Using someone else’s ideas or research as your own.
  • Submitting a purchased or borrowed paper as original work.

For more details on plagiarism and how to avoid it, visit Plagiarism.org.

Resources to Support Academic Integrity

1. Tools to Avoid Plagiarism

Students are encouraged to use online tools to check their work for originality:

2. Citation Guides and Tools

Properly crediting sources is essential to maintaining academic integrity. Use these tools to ensure accurate citations:

  • Purdue OWL: Comprehensive guide for APA, MLA, and other citation styles.
  • Citation Machine: Quickly generate citations in various formats.

3. Writing and Research Support

Learning to paraphrase, summarize, and cite effectively is a critical skill for academic success:

  • Paraphrasing Tips: UNC Writing Center Guide
  • Writing Assistance Tools: Use tools like Grammarly or Hemingway App to refine your writing and avoid unintentional plagiarism.

4. Educational Videos

Visual learners can benefit from short videos that explain plagiarism and how to avoid it:

Support from SMA

SMA is here to help students maintain academic integrity and improve their research skills. For guidance:

  • Visit the Guidance Office for advice on academic honesty.
  • Consult library staff for help with research and citation techniques.

By fostering a commitment to academic integrity, SMA ensures that students not only succeed academically but also develop the ethical values essential for their future endeavors.

Disclaimer:

SMA reserves the right to update this policy as necessary to reflect changes in regulations, school policies, or operational requirements. Parents, students, and stakeholders are encouraged to review this page periodically for the latest updates.