Students at Saint Thomas More Academy are encouraged to emulate the life of our patron, Saint Thomas More. It is known that he was a man of virtue and grace in all areas of his life which included being a scholar, a writer, a politician, a lawyer, and a man of faith. Above all, he devoted his life to serving a cause that was greater than any worldly reward could offer; a belief for which he paid the ultimate sacrifice. He led his life in a way that personified moral righteousness; espousing to uphold his integrity and inner beliefs rather than submitting to external pressures, no matter the degree – Thomas More chose not to take the easy way out.
One goal we have at Saint Thomas More Academy is that those who leave our hallowed halls are provided with the fullest opportunity to become a morally sound individual. Because of this ideal, beginning in December, 2003, Saint Thomas More Academy is instituting an Honor Code system throughout its entire community.
Is there a greater life lesson than identifying and nurturing one’s own integrity? All academic institutions instill the knowledge needed for members to flourish in a democratic society. However, only those extraordinary places make the resolve to build the character traits that is all too often ignored in the world around us. Contemporary society often reminds us of the constant struggle between what is correct and what is the easy way out. At its core, Saint Thomas More Academy’s Honor Code personifies honesty, integrity, and self-respect within each individual; values that are essential for a foundation of honor and morality to flourish. A community of learners who wish to thrive must be bonded together by the notion that one’s honor is their most treasured attribute. Sophocles once wrote, “Rather fail with honor than succeed by fraud.”
The Saint Thomas More Academy Honor Code consists of two equally-essential components: The Honor Pledge and Integrity Principles. We truly believe that our Catholic identity and the quality of our education can only be enhanced by the total embracing of the Honor Code.
The Honor Pledge is a statement affirming the student’s commitment to pursuing the doctrine of academic integrity. The pledge, if not required on an individual assignment, is implied on all work done by the Saint Thomas More Academy community. Teachers may require the pledge on any assignment they deem fit. If this is the case, students are to write the pledge, if it is not already written, and then sign their name. If it is not explicitly requested, then it is presumed that all work completed by members of the Saint Thomas More Academy community will be done in accordance of this Honor Pledge.
On my honor, I pledge that I have neither given nor received any undue influence on this assignment.
An essential component of the Integrity Principles is clearly stating those guidelines to ensure that people avoid the trappings that lead to academic dishonesty. These guidelines are designed to identify the actions that research considers academic improprieties to be. This is not to be considered as a list of do’s and don’ts, but standards that illustrate to all community members those actions the Honor Code is designed to alleviate.
The following is a typology devised by a leading researcher in this cause. It identifies the many different faces academic dishonesty takes –
Based on research conducted by Gary Pavela as published in Academic Dishonesty: An Educator’s Guide – Whitley & Keith –Spiegal, Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, 2002.
Saint Thomas More Academy has accepted these standards and considers them to be vital in keeping with those values the Honor Code is seeking to bring out in all community members. It is important to note that, by today’s standard, the school policy has not changed for those who fail to live up to the expectations outlined in the Honor Code and who are caught committing academic dishonesty. This is still a referable offense whose final judgment is reserved for the school principal.