Academic Integrity and Responsible Learning

Our Commitment

At Snake River Opportunities School (SROS), academic integrity is central to who we are and how we learn. We value authentic, personalized learning rooted in curiosity, honesty, and accountability. Integrity is not simply about following rules—it is about becoming thoughtful learners, problem-solvers, and responsible citizens.

Students demonstrate mastery by showing what they know and understand. Therefore, all submitted work should accurately represent each student's own learning and effort.

What Is Academic Integrity?

Academic integrity means:

• Being honest about which work is your own and which comes from others.

• Taking ownership of your learning, including mistakes and revisions.

• Using resources responsibly, including textbooks, websites, AI tools, tutors, and classmates.

• Giving appropriate credit whenever you use another person's words, ideas, images, or other creative work.

Academic Dishonesty

Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to:

• Plagiarism: Presenting another person's work—or AI-generated work—as your own without proper acknowledgment.

• Fabrication: Inventing or altering data, citations, sources, or project components.

• Cheating: Using unauthorized assistance on assignments or assessments or submitting another person's work.

• Facilitating dishonesty: Assisting another student in cheating or misrepresenting their learning.

Misrepresenting learning prevents accurate assessment of mastery and conflicts with the values of the SROS community.

Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

SROS recognizes that artificial intelligence can be a valuable educational tool when used appropriately. AI should enhance learning—not replace it.

Appropriate Uses (with acknowledgment when applicable)

Students may use AI tools to:

• Brainstorm ideas

• Organize or outline thinking

• Clarify difficult concepts

• Receive feedback on writing or problem-solving approaches

• Practice skills or review content

Inappropriate Uses

Students may not:

• Submit AI-generated writing, images, code, presentations, or other work as their own final product.

• Use AI to complete assignments without meaningful personal understanding or contribution.

• Misrepresent AI-generated content as original student work.

Before submitting any assignment, students should ask themselves:

• Is this truly my own work and thinking?

• Can I explain how I created it?

• Am I demonstrating my own learning?

If there is uncertainty, students should consult their mentor or content teacher before submitting the assignment.

Learning Through Mistakes

SROS views academic integrity concerns as opportunities for growth.

When concerns arise, students can expect:

• A conversation with their mentor or teacher.

• Reflection on what occurred.

• Revision and resubmission of work when appropriate.

• Additional supports or a learning contract if concerns continue.

Repeated or intentional violations may result in administrative intervention, loss of certain privileges, or Student Learning Fund (SLF) consequences when there is a pattern of disregard for community expectations.

Additional examples and guidance are available in the SROS Academic Integrity Guide.

Foundations and Digital Literacy

Following enrollment, every student participates in the Foundations and Digital Literacy course. This orientation course prepares students for success at SROS by introducing school expectations, digital citizenship, effective online learning strategies, and foundational mathematics practices.

The course includes both synchronous learning sessions and asynchronous activities. Upon successful completion, students earn one elective credit.

Advanced Opportunities (Fast Forward)

Idaho's Advanced Opportunities (Fast Forward) program provides eligible public school students in grades 7–12 with up to $4,600 to pursue college and career readiness opportunities.

Eligible uses include:

• Dual Credit courses

• Overload high school courses

• Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), CLEP, and approved Career & Technical Education (CTE) examinations

• Approved workforce training courses

• Other state-approved Advanced Opportunities

Fast Forward funding may pay:

• Up to $225 for eligible overload courses.

• Up to $75 per college credit for approved dual credit coursework.

Student Eligibility

To participate, students must:

• Be diploma-seeking.

• Maintain Active status in all enrolled courses.

• Develop an Advanced Opportunities learning plan with their mentor.

• Submit a signed Advanced Opportunities Participation Form each year.

• Ensure all Advanced Opportunities coursework is recorded on their official public high school transcript.

Students who do not successfully complete a Fast Forward-funded course must personally pay for a comparable course before becoming eligible for additional Fast Forward funding, as required by Idaho law.

To access Advanced Opportunities funding through SROS, students must remain enrolled in at least one SROS course each term.

Transcript Revisions

Official transcripts are considered accurate when issued.

A transcript may only be revised when evidence demonstrates that it contains a material error.

Students requesting a revision should submit supporting documentation. The course teacher and school secretary will review the request and consult with the principal when appropriate. If a correction is warranted, the school secretary will issue a revised transcript.

Artificial Intelligence in School Operations

SROS may utilize artificial intelligence technologies to enhance teaching, learning, and school operations. All AI tools adopted by the school will:

• Support student learning.

• Protect student privacy and data security.

• Promote equitable access.

• Be implemented under the guidance of trained educators.

• Be regularly reviewed to ensure alignment with educational goals, ethical standards, and district policy.

Concerns and Suggestions

SROS believes continuous improvement depends on meaningful feedback from students and families.

Students and parents are encouraged to share ideas, concerns, or suggestions with teachers, mentors, or school administrators at any time. Written feedback is always welcome.

In addition, SROS will provide opportunities for stakeholder input through focus groups and other feedback opportunities at least once each quarter.

🎓 Grading at SROS

💡 How Grades Work

At Snake River Opportunities High School (SROHS), we use a mastery-based grading system that reflects what students truly understand and can do, not how quickly they finish.

Each course includes 4 essential Topics.
To earn credit, students must achieve:

• ✅ Mastery (M) or

• 🌟 Mastery Plus (M⁺)
  on all 4 Topics.
  
  

🛑 Partial credit is not awarded — all 4 Topics must meet mastery expectations to earn credit.

📊 Grading Levels

• SL – Surface Learning:
  Exploring the Topic or showing only surface-level understanding. May also apply if suspected misuse (e.g., uncredited AI work).
  ❌ Does not earn credit.
  
  

• IP – In Progress:
  Work has been started but needs significant revision.
  ❌ Does not earn credit.
  
  

• M – Mastery:
  Clear and complete understanding of the Topic.
  ✅ Earns credit.
  
  

• M⁺ – Mastery Plus:
  Goes beyond expectations by applying learning in creative or advanced ways.
  ✅ Earns credit, and shows distinction.
  
  

🔄 Need More Time?

Learning takes time — and that’s okay!
If a student doesn’t finish all 4 Topics by the end of the year:

➡ They can keep working during summer.

➡ Or resume the course in the next school year.

🛠️ Feedback & Support

• Teachers provide clear feedback within 1–2 business days (Monday–Thursday).

• Students are encouraged to revise and resubmit work to reach mastery.

• If you haven’t received feedback within the expected time, contact your teacher directly.
  
  

🎯 Note: Work that violates academic integrity (e.g., plagiarism, uncredited AI use) may be marked as Surface Learning (SL) and must be revised before credit can be earned.

For more information and FAQs about grading, please check out Grading Policy (Traditional Year, Alt Courses, and Summer School) document.