Finally, a school that's responsible. These students are experiencing <gasp> consequences for their actions – unlike the last one, where the teacher quit in disgust.
The students had to rewrite the essays — but will receive a zero for the work, Hamilton said. They also must write an essay reflecting on their plagiarism.
And next week, the students will participate in a 12-hour, after-school ethics seminar. They'll also help clean the school, Hamilton said.
The honor society students, whose memberships have been suspended, have even more work.
They will be paired with local attorneys to research the legal ramifications of plagiarism, then will write a case study. Once that assignment — and the other requirements of all students involved — are complete, their membership will be reinstated, pursuant to National Honor Society bylaws, Hamilton said.
The valedictorian will be allowed to remain a valedictorian, Hamilton said, if the student maintains a perfect grade-point average through the end of the year.