Academic Integrity Policy 

TEL Education, in conjunction with its Regionally Accredited University Partners, maintains an Academic Integrity Policy. Academic integrity means honesty and responsibility in academic endeavors. According to the International Center for Academic Integrity, academic integrity requires “a commitment to five fundamental values: honesty, trust, fairness, respect, and responsibility.” TEL students are expected to practice academic integrity at all times.

Cheating 

TEL students are expected to refrain from acts of cheating. Examples of cheating include but are not limited to the following: 

• Accessing or attempting to access unauthorized course material 

• Providing or attempting to provide unauthorized course material(s) to another person 

• Using or attempting to use study aids during an academic exercise or examination unless explicitly authorized by the instructor 

• Copying or attempting to copy another person’s work 

• Allowing another person to copy or attempt to copy your work 

• Allowing someone else to complete your work 

• Completing or attempting to complete someone else’s work 

Plagiarism 

TEL students are expected to produce original work and refrain from acts of plagiarism. 

Examples of plagiarism include but are not limited to the following: 

• Copying someone else’s work word-for-word

• Copying your own previously published or submitted work and presenting it as new (self-plagiarism)

• Adopting someone else’s ideas and presenting them as your own without proper attribution

• Using someone else’s original work without acknowledging or citing the source

• Utilizing Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) tools, such as ChatGPT, to complete assignments in an unauthorized manner

 

TEL instructors and instructional staff will use plagiarism detection software, professional expertise, and other means to check writing assignments for plagiarism. 

Appropriate Use of Technology 

TEL students are expected to use technology appropriately. Examples of the misuse of technology include, but are not limited to the following: 

• Bypassing or attempting to bypass proctoring services

• Using or attempting to use unauthorized technology devices for examinations 

• Providing or attempting to provide system credentials to an unauthorized person 

• Utilizing technology to share unauthorized information with other students, such as test questions and/or answers

• Utilizing assistive technology, such as A.I. tools, to complete assignments that will be submitted as the student's original work

TEL instructors and instructional staff will use A.I. detection software, professional expertise, and other means to check writing assignments for unauthorized use of A.I. 

Action in Response to Academic Misconduct 

Students who knowingly and willingly engage in academic misconduct will be subject to disciplinary action. Issues brought to or discovered by TEL will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Action stemming from the result of an inquiry may include, but is not limited to the following: 

• Issuance of an Academic Integrity Warning 

• A grade reduction for the assignment or examination in question 

• A zero for the assignment or examination in question 

• Dismissal from the course 

• A final grade of F in the course

• Suspension or expulsion from TEL Education courses

• Any other disciplinary action deemed appropriate by TEL 

NOTE: This section is not intended to create due process rights for students, does not constitute an exhaustive list of actions TEL may take, and does not constitute a “step-ladder” disciplinary process that escalates from the least to most adverse action. TEL may impose discipline in any manner it deems appropriate to the situation, and is not required to provide warnings or other initial steps prior to taking more severe action, up to and including dismissal. 

Academic Misconduct Investigation Process

Step 1: Suspected Violation is Submitted

• Instructor, T.A., or testing proctor submits the suspected violation to TEL Education for review

Step 2: The TEL Education Academic Misconduct Review Panel Review

• The Panel reviews the suspected violation and supporting documentation. Then, in consultation with any of the following (as applicable), the Panel makes a determination about the suspected misconduct: Instructor, T.A., testing proctor/supervisor, university partner, and/or student.

• Students are presumed innocent within this process

• Students are entitled to a prompt review (a decision will be made within 5 business days)

Step 3: Academic Misconduct Remediation

• If it is determined that no academic misconduct occurred, the matter will be dismissed.

• If it is determined that academic misconduct did occur, the appropriate action, based on the severity of the violation and its circumstances, will be communicated to the student. Violations can include, but are not limited to, a grade of F in the course and expulsion from TEL Education.

Academic Misconduct Decision Appeal Process

Students who wish to appeal an academic misconduct decision must submit this form to start the appeals process within 10 business days of being notified of the decision. In addition to completing the form, students must attach written documentation in support of their appeal. Students will receive a decision within 10 business days of the receipt of the appeal form and all required appeal documentation.

Upon the receipt of the appeal, the following process will be enacted: 

1. Grade appeals will be sent to the TEL Academic Team and the instructor of the course for evaluation. The appeal will be reviewed by the Academic Misconduct Committee.

2. The student will have the opportunity to provide additional comments for the Academic Misconduct Committee, including proof of the student’s writing process.

3. A thorough investigation will take place using all evidence provided from the rubric, assignment instruction, notes from the instructional team member, evidence of alleged academic misconduct, appeal documentation from the student, and other relevant information. 

4. Once evaluated, this result will be communicated to the student. 

A. If the appeal is approved, the grade will be changed, and the student will be notified. 

B. If the appeal is not approved, the decision will stand, and the student will be notified.

 

Note: While TEL will endeavor to follow the foregoing appeals process, it retains absolute discretion to deviate from this process when TEL determines such deviation is justified under the circumstances. Nothing contained herein shall be interpreted to create due process or contractual rights for students.