Lincoln’s faculty has created a new academic integrity policy this year, in the wake of several controversies regarding cheating in recent years.

Towards the end of last year many teachers decided that a school-wide policy regarding cheating was necessary, after problems the last few years with students who had cheated receiving awards for academic accomplishments.

Earlier this year a committee of Lincoln teachers organized and drew up a draft for an academic integrity policy, and submitted it to the entire faculty. It was received warmly, and the committee submitted a final draft, which was approved. Copies of the policy have been distributed to students through their English classes.

The new policy provides a concrete set of rules regarding penalties for various infractions, whereas previously rules and punishments varied from teacher to teacher. Cheating is defined as “Using dishonest, deceptive, or fraudulent means to obtain credit for academic work.” The policy divides cheating into Level 1 infractions and more serious Level 2 infractions, which include changing a grade on an official document and stealing tests or answer keys. It also outlines responsibilities of students, teachers, and parents. All students and their parents or guardians must sign a copy of the policy.

The SFUSD has no district-wide official policy regarding cheating, but some schools have their own. Policies at Lowell High School, Palo Alto High School, San Francisco State University, and University of California, Berkeley helped provide the groundwork for Lincoln’s academic integrity policy.