Plagiarism
he Berne-Knox-Westerlo Secondary School learning community expects all students to abide by ethical academic standards. Academic dishonesty, including plagiarism, cheating or copying the work of another, using technology for illicit purposes, or any unauthorized communication between students for the purpose of gaining advantage during an examination, is strictly prohibited. BKW’s Academic Integrity Policy covers all school-related tests, quizzes, reports, assignments and projects, both in and out of class. The purpose of BKW’s Academic Integrity Policy is to prepare students for the world of college and beyond, where violations of academic and professional integrity have significant consequences. Plagiarism is not the same as cooperation or collaboration.
Plagiarism is to commit literary theft; to steal and pass off as one’s own ideas or words, and to create the production of another. When you use someone else’s words, you must put quotation marks around them and cite the source. If you revise or paraphrase the words of someone else or use someone else’s ideas, you must give the author credit. To use someone else’s words or ideas without giving credit to the originator is plagiarism.
Cheating includes, but is not limited to; copying or giving an assignment to a student to be copied (unless explicitly permitted by the teacher). Cheating also includes using, supplying, or communicating in any way unauthorized materials, including textbooks, notes, calculators, computers or other unauthorized technology, during an exam or project.
Forgery or stealing academic material includes, but is not limited to; gaining unauthorized access to exams or answers to an exam, altering computer or grade-book records, or forging signatures for the purpose of academic advantage.
The determination that a student has engaged in academic dishonesty shall be based on specific evidence provided by the classroom teacher or other supervising professional employee, taking into consideration written materials, observation, or information from others.
Students found to have engaged in academic dishonesty shall be subject to disciplinary as well as academic penalties, as outlined below.
Range of Possible Consequences
Copying class work or homework
- Zero on assignment
- Parent notification
- Department Chair notification
- Detention
- Suspension
Plagiarizing or cheating on an exam or assignment
- Zero on assignment
- Guidance counselor notification
- Parent / student / teacher / guidance counselor conference
- Referral to administration
Forgery or stealing academic material
- Referral to administration
- Detention
- Suspension
Grade Descriptors
- 95+ Superior
- 90 – 94 Excellent
- 85 – 89 Very Good
- 80 – 84 Good
- 75 – 79 Average
- 70- 74 Below Proficiency
- 65 – 69 Minimum Proficiency
- 0 – 64 Failing
College Based 4.0 Conversion Chart
100 = 4.00
99 = 3.93
98 = 3.87
97 = 3.80
96 = 3.73
95 = 3.67
94 = 3.60
93 = 3.53
92 = 3.47
91 = 3.40
90 = 3.30
89 = 3.27
88 = 3.20
87 = 3.13
86 = 3.07
85 = 3.00
84 = 2.95
83 = 2.90
82 = 2.85
81 = 2.80
80 = 2.75
79 = 2.70
78 = 2.65
77 = 2.60
76 = 2.55
75 = 2.50
74 = 2.45
73 = 2.40
72 = 2.35
71 = 2.30
70 = 2.25
69 = 2.20
68 = 2.15
67 = 2.10
66 = 2.05
65 = 2.00
64 = 1.91
63 = 1.82
62 = 1.73
61 = 1.64
60 = 1.55
59 = 1.45
58 = 1.36
57 = 1.27
56 = 1.18
55 = 1.09
0-54 = 1.00
Guidance Services
The purpose of the guidance program is to help all students develop and acquire the skills, abilities, knowledge, and attitudes necessary to plan for their futures. Counselors or students may schedule conferences at any time deemed necessary. Students must sign in after arriving at the guidance office.
School counselors assist students:
- To make plans for their future in and out of school.
- To learn to identify and understand their values and how they affect their lives.
- To learn personal planning and problem-solving skills useful in present and future situations
- To learn how to secure appropriate occupational and educational training.
Report Cards
Report cards are distributed every ten weeks to notify students and parents of student learning progress. Five-week progress reports are distributed five weeks into each ten week quarter.
Honor Roll
Determined by averaging the numerically (0-100) graded course marks and dividing said average by the number of courses in progress.
- High Honors- 94.5-100 %
- Honors- 89.5-94.49 %
- Honorable Mention- 84.5-89.49%
FINAL SCHOOL MARK for a full year course is calculated from each of the 4 quarter averages and the final exam grade and dividing by five (5).
FINAL SCHOOL MARK for a half year course is determined by doubling the 2 quarter averages.
As of September 1, 2015 passing in all subjects grades 7-12 is 65.
Course Drops
To drop a course, a form must be secured from the guidance office, completed and then signed by the course teacher, school counselor, principal, and parent. Students will not be allowed to drop after first five weeks full year course but if class is dropped it will show as a drop/fail on transcript. Half year courses cannot be dropped after the first 2 weeks. Students dropping classes after two weeks must have parental permission.
Testing Services
Testing covers all grades. In grades 7 – 12, students are tested for scholastic ability, achievement, and aptitude. These test results help students to realize their strengths and weaknesses, aid in course selection, and help teachers know more about their students. In addition to standard testing services, provision is made for students to take all college admission and achievement examinations at the appropriate grade levels. A schedule of these tests is available from the guidance office. Students will also be notified of tests well in advance of the testing date.
Career And Technical Education (CTE) Diploma Endorsement
Students pursuing a Career and Technical Education (CTE) endorsement on their diploma must meet all of the assessment requirements for BKW diploma options. Students may meet the unitary graduation requirements of 22 units through an integrated career and technical education program, specialized courses, or a combination of the two. Students must also successfully meet all the requirements of their NYS approved Career and Technical Education program.
Requirements for a local diploma by passing the respective Regents Competency Examination in the CTE subject area.
Students with disabilities first entering grade 9 in the 2006-2007 school years and thereafter students who score 55-64 on a required Regents examination are eligible to earn a local diploma
Regents Diploma Endorsement per New York State Regulations
5 Assessments, scoring at 65% or better:
English—English Language Arts Regents Exam
Social Studies—U.S. History & Government and Global History & Geography Regents Exam
Math—Integrated Algebra Exam
Science—Physical Setting or Living Environment Regents Exams
Regents Diploma with Advanced Designation
8 Assessments, scoring at 65% or better:
English—English Language Arts Regents Exam
Social Studies—U.S. History & Government and Global History & Geography Regents Exams
Math—Integrated Algebra, Geometry, and Trigonometry Exams
Science—1 Physical Science and 1 Life Science Regents Exam
Foreign Language—Language 3 Comprehensive Exam
Valedictorian and Salutatorian
Criteria listed below will be used to determine the valedictorian and salutatorian of the senior high school(s) of the Berne-Knox-Westerlo Central School District.
An eligible student must attend the Berne-Knox-Westerlo Central School District for a minimum of three (3) full academic years, prior to graduation, from grades 9 through 12.
Student must be enrolled as a full-time student (6.0 credits) at the time of graduation.
Only the average of grades earned in the Berne-Knox-Westerlo Central School District through the end of the third quarter of the senior year will be used to select the final candidate. Course credits earned in other high schools, in summer schools other than those conducted by Berne-Knox-Westerlo Central School District, and post high school college credits will not be used in determining the final selection of a valedictorian or salutatorian. AP classes will be weighted 1.04 in determining the cumulative average for class rank.
If there is a tie between two students for valedictorian or co-salutatorian within 1/100th of a point, a co-valedictorian or co-salutatorian may be awarded at the discretion of the secondary administration.
Eligibility will not be restricted in any way by virtue of the type of courses undertaken by the students.
The valedictorian and salutatorian will be afforded the opportunity to speak at commencement. This does not eliminate other students as determined by the school administration from speaking at commencement, i.e. senior class president, president of the student senate, etc.
Students eligible for graduation at the end of their junior year can qualify under the above criteria. In addition to being eligible as valedictorian and salutatorian, the student graduating at the end of his/her junior year will be permitted to participate in all other senior activities, i.e., prom, inclusion in the yearbook, social functions, etc. It is important to note that the student who opts for graduation at the end of the junior year must fulfill all other requirements of Board of Education policy dealing with early graduation including the determination of the student’s status in the year proceeding the junior year.
Study Halls
All students are assigned study halls as part of their academic day. This time is to be used to study, complete work or seek extra help if available. Seniors with privileges may sign out to a supervised area and must do so on a daily basis as there is no permanent sign out.