Integrity & Honesty Policy

Overview

Cheating and stealing have no place in a Torah setting where relationships and honesty are cherished. All work must be your own. Acknowledgment must be given for all work not your own–this includes words, ideas and art. When working collaboratively on a project, all participants names must be included and all are equally responsible for proper citing of sources.

Any form of plagiarism, or cheating on tests, quizzes, projects or papers will result in a zero on the assignment, disciplinary probation, and loss of candidacy for National Honor Society and other honors.

The report of the violation will be placed in the student’s permanent record and may result in suspension or expulsion.

In order to prevent plagiarism, all major written assignments must be submitted electronically to a service, Turnitin.com, which assesses each paper for originality. Students will be given the necessary information for registering for each of their classes in order to submit written work.

Inappropriate Behavior

When students enroll in the Academy, they join a community that seeks to support one another both in and out of school. It is for this reason that what Academy students do outside of school, as members of an Academy community, is our concern. Therefore, all events that involve Academy students must not only conform to standards of safety (physical, emotional, etc.) but also to halachic standards (e.g. Shabbat, Kashrut, appropriate male/female interaction and modesty). Any student sponsoring an event in violation of this norm will face suspension and possible expulsion from the school. Students participating in such events and violating the expected norms of behavior of an Academy student may face consequences from the school.

The use of any illegal substance, such as drugs or alcohol, or the smoking of cigarettes, either on school premises or at any school activity, is prohibited. Any student found possessing, consuming, or selling alcoholic beverages or any other controlled substance, either on school grounds or during school activities will face expulsion.

The internet offers great opportunities and poses great dangers.  We encourage families to install appropriate filters on all devices connected to the internet. ICJA will hold students responsible for what they post on the internet, both in and out of school.

In addition, the possession of any object that may be construed as being dangerous (e.g. pen knife, gun, fireworks), either on school grounds or during school activities, is prohibited. Any student found possessing such an object will face suspension and possible expulsion from the school.

Finally, it is expected of all ICJA that students that exhibit respect for teacher and peers. If for any reason, a teacher asks a student to leave the classroom, that student is expected to go directly to Mr. Harris, and wait until an administrator issues a re-admit note.

AI Policy for Ida Crown Jewish Academy

Purpose and Values

At Ida Crown Jewish Academy, we believe in the importance of integrating technology to enhance learning while preserving the values of independent thought, rigorous scholarship, and socialization through collaborative work. Al can be a potent tool in a student’s learning journey. It can offer personalized learning materials, help students understand complex topics, and give students access to a wealth of knowledge. It can facilitate studying and make learning more interactive and engaging. However, while using Al, it is essential to ensure that student actions remain within the framework of academic integrity. 

The goal of your education is not just about earning grades; it is about learning, growing, and preparing students for the future. Our AI policy is designed to balance the benefits of AI tools with the development of essential academic skills, ensuring that students learn to think critically, write effectively, conduct thorough research, and work collaboratively. AI tools included in this policy include text, graphics, and sound.

Teachers may adapt these guidelines for their courses, either further limiting or expanding the use of AI as they see fit, including either banning or requiring the use of AI for a particular assignment. Such adaptation must be presented to the students before assigning work and must be in writing

General Guidelines

1. Ethical Use of AI:

Students must use AI tools ethically and responsibly, ensuring their work maintains academic integrity. AI can assist in finding information and explaining concepts, which is very much like a tutor helping you or using Google to find resources that explain the information or concepts. In this way, AI can be used in an ethical fashion. 

However, you should never use Al to complete your assignments, tests, or any form of work entirely on your behalf. This would be equivalent to cheating and is an unethical use of AI.

In addition, using AI without proper attribution is a form of plagiarism and is strictly prohibited.

Proper citation of AI-assisted research and content requires a complete transcript of the conversation and is mandatory.

2. AI as a Learning Aid:

AI should supplement learning, not replace it. Students are encouraged to use AI to brainstorm, organize thoughts, and enhance their understanding of complex topics.

All AI-assisted work must include citations indicating the use of AI tools.

3. Independent Thought:

Assignments that require personal reflection, critical analysis, or original thought must be completed independently. AI tools may be used for preliminary research but should not substitute for the student’s analysis and synthesis.

Examples of Specific Use Cases for AI

1. Research and Information Gathering:

Students may use AI tools to gather information and resources. Proper citation of AI-assisted research is mandatory.

AI tools can help students locate primary and secondary sources but should not replace thorough reading and comprehension of these sources.

2. Writing Assistance:

AI tools like grammar checkers and style editors can be used to improve writing quality. However, students must write their initial drafts independently.

AI-generated suggestions for rephrasing or grammar correction are allowed, but the final content must reflect the student’s voice and understanding.

3. Problem-Solving and Data Analysis:

AI can be used for complex calculations, data analysis, and simulations in subjects like math and science.

Students must demonstrate an understanding of the methods and processes, not just the results produced by AI tools.

Prohibited Uses of AI

1. Essay and Assignment Generation:

Students are not permitted to use AI to generate entire essays, reports, or other assignments. This undermines the development of writing and critical thinking skills.

2. Automated Responses and Homework Completion:

It is not allowed to use AI to complete homework assignments, answer questions, or provide automated responses in lieu of personal effort.

3. Exams and Assessments:

AI tools are prohibited during exams and assessments unless explicitly allowed by the teacher for specific purposes (e.g., using a calculator in a math test).

Monitoring and Enforcement

1. AI Detection:

The school will utilize AI detection software to identify instances of non-cited AI-generated content in student work.

Students found to be using AI without proper citation will be subject to academic penalties in accordance with the ICJA’s plagiarism policy.

2. Increased In-Class Assignments:

To promote the proper use of AI, teachers will increase the use of guided practice (i.e., in-class work assignments, such as brief essays, problem-solving, etc.). These in-class assignments will be used as a benchmark for student voice and abilities, and independent work will be compared to them to discourage the misuse of AI.

3. Review and Adaptation:

The AI policy will be reviewed annually to adapt to new technological advancements and ensure it continues to support the educational values of Ida Crown Jewish Academy.

Feedback from students, teachers, and parents will be considered to refine and improve the policy.