Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School District administrators presented school board members proposed changes to student handbooks at a Tuesday morning work session. One possible change centers on the misuse of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
The current language calls for disciplinary action for any student found copying another student’s work or plagiarizing, also described as “Academic Dishonesty.” Administrators are asking the board to add language for disciplining students using AI to create work without permission of the teacher. School officials emphasize this is to ensure the work is that of the student, not someone else or AI.
“While AI tools can be used for productive purposes, many fear that unharnessed use may lead to increases in academic dishonesty,” wrote administrators in their narrative to the board.
Another change before the board deals with student absences of 10 or more consecutive school days. HSE officials say they “have seen an uptick of requests for extended absences for family-related issues (out-of-country family visit, funerals, etc.); not uncommonly, these requests are for more than 10 consecutive school days, which constitutes a significant portion of the semester.”
The proposed change calls for students absent from school for more than 10 consecutive school days, whether for vacation or family emergencies (in or out of the country) or for cultural/religious reasons – will be asked to unenroll from the school. The student will be exited as a transfer to homeschooling. The parent should understand that the student will need to be re-enrolled if the student returns to school.
Another proposal would allow students to retake a course only to improve from a grade of C- or lower. Administrators suggest adding the following language to the handbook:
“When a student retakes a course, the transcript will indicate that the student took the course twice, with the higher academic grade earned appearing on the transcript and an “R” (for Retake) replacing the lower academic grade. This means the higher grade will be associated with the credit and factored in the student’s GPA, while the lower grade will not be included in the calculation of the student’s GPA.”
School officials say colleges and universities in the area have indicated the “R” designation should not count against a student when applying for admission.
Another proposed change is to athletic eligibility when a student is charged with a felony or misdemeanor, or when a student receives an out of school suspension. The current 3-step process to determine athletic eligibility will become a 2-step process with the current 3rd step now the appeals process for students and parents in disagreement with the decision after the 2nd step.
Another change is a response to students pushing for abolishing final exams. Administrators said no to that idea, but will now determine the semester grade by counting the semester work as 85 percent and the final exam grade (or culminating activity approved by the building principal) as 15 percent.
A student handbook change is proposed for those of the Sikh faith that wear a Kirpan as a religious article of faith. Knives are normally not allowed in HSE schools, but a Kirpan will be allowed with the following rules:
–The Kirpan blade is required to be dull.
–The Kirpan is six inches or less from end of the handle to the tip of the blade.
–The Kirpan will be sufficiently secured with a stitched flap so not be easily removed.
–The Kirpan will not be worn visibly.
–Confirmation of Sikh faith via parents/place of worship.
— Students under the age of 18 must be accompanied by parents/guardians when discussing the rules for wearing a Kirpan.
No action was taken at the work session, but these student handbook changes will be considered for board action at an upcoming regular session.
Here are links to the presentations on student handbook changes presented to the board: