3.1.3 Academic Integrity
Academic Integrity — Plagiarism and AI
3.1.3
Section 3 — School Policies
Academic Integrity — Plagiarism and AI
Academic integrity is one of the ten Faith-in-Action standards at CPA for a reason. Doing your own work honestly is not just a school rule — it is an act of worship.
What is plagiarism?
Plagiarism is using someone else's words, ideas, or work and presenting it as your own without giving them credit.
The fundamental question is ownership. You need to cite something if it belongs to anyone other than you — whether it appears in print, online, in a conversation, or was generated by artificial intelligence.
You do NOT need a citation if: you own the idea, or it is genuinely common knowledge.
Watch: Avoiding Plagiarism
Note: This video references APA format. CPA uses MLA format. The citation principles still apply.
AI-generated content is plagiarism
Submitting work created by an AI tool — ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, or any other — as your own work is a form of plagiarism. The AI is the author, not you. Claiming it as yours is dishonest, and it violates the same principle as copying from a classmate or a website.
Consequences can last beyond the semester
CPA reserves the right to retroactively change grades if AI cheating is discovered — and there is no expiration on the review period. CPA may also refuse to sign official transcripts for students whose work integrity is in question.
The three-strike policy
| Offense | Consequence |
|---|---|
| 1st offense | Verbal warning from teacher. No credit for the plagiarized assignment. Opportunity to redo the assignment for up to 50% credit. Parent or guardian notified. |
| 2nd offense | Student-parent-administrator conference. No credit for the assignment. No opportunity to redo. Parent or guardian notified. |
| 3rd offense | Disciplinary action at the Director's discretion — up to and including expulsion from CPA. |
Why integrity matters here more than at other schools
At most schools, plagiarism affects one grade on one assignment. At CPA, your academic integrity is directly tied to your Learning Verification score — the 30% category earned in your scheduled meeting. If you submit AI-generated or plagiarized work and then cannot explain it in your meeting, your Teacher Conviction score drops to zero. The dishonesty shows up twice.
Standard 5 of the Faith-in-Action rubric is "Integrity in academics." Doing your own work honestly — even when it is hard and even when no one is watching — is one of the most meaningful ways you can practice your faith at CPA.
“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.”
Galatians 6:7