Reflection Of The Honor System

10. What is the Honor Code? What kind of actions would constitute a violation of the Honor Code?

Honor codes have been a strong subject of dispute over the last few years. Whether to hold students accountable for their own actions, and allow them to control the cheating in a school is, in all regards, a major decision that could potentially be detrimental to a school’s society and reputation. However, the rewards for a successful honor code are exponentially higher than the cost. Schools should always have some form of honor code in place, whether it be something like a signed contract at the beginning of each semester paired with an honor court to hold violators accountable, or something as simple as a statement of trust on a worksheet.

The existence of honor codes has had basis in helping students learn since their inception, but there are still those who object to their very definition. Nearly every institution centered around the education of children has some sort of code of conduct or set of rules in place for the betterment of the students. However, the term ‘honor’ in the title ‘honor code’ is what people can occasionally take issue with, as the term often implies a much more respectful idea. This issue leads one to question the purpose of honor codes. Although honor codes, like that of the school in Tobias Wolff’s Old School, exist for the purpose of bettering the students by ensuring that they all have an equal chance and that they all do their own work, Mr. Ramsey objects to his school’s honor code because he believes in a much more personal and valuable meaning of the word ‘honor’.

It has been said, "I would rather die standing than live on my knees!" (Emiliano Zapata). All things are possible to a person who stands on the foundation of honor. The definition of honor is a high regard or respect; personal integrity; reputation; privilege (Webster’s Dictionary). The word honor comes from Latin Honos. Honor shapes lives everyday, and provides the glue that holds a family, community and country together.

As a student develops the question of a honor system within themselves is based on his or he own integrity. The problem regarding that is it honor codes can range from elementary schools to college. Several may argue honor codes unsuccessful in decreasing cheating or lying in schools. While others may argue that honor codes should be enforced because they promote an honest academic environment within any school. In my opinion, I do agree the honor system should be enforced at my school because it’s only fair to students who do their own work and is also punishing those who cheat while also cheating themselves.

College is a place for young adults to continue learning, and is an environment where they slowly get integrated into the “real world”. College students are adults and should be treated as such. A certain amount of trust to report crimes, such as that given to citizens in any general community, should also be given to college students. This responsibility will encourage them to step up and take part in their community. Donald McCabe is a professor at Rutgers University and specializes in student integrity; he recently completed research on the success of honor codes in the college setting.

A solution has been proposed to raise values of honesty and integrity within a student body. The solution is the establishment of “Honor Codes”. It is said in Source that the success of the honor codes depend on the student body. Cheaters will encourage cheaters or honesty will win. I deeply believe that schools should establish the honor codes because they will set up an educational environment with better student-teacher relationships,

Honor codes are a set of rules or ethical principles governing a community based on ideals that define what constitutes honorable behavior within that community. The use of an honor code depends on the belief that people can be trusted. Those who are violating the honor code can be subject to punishment, including being expelled from the school. Schools should maintain the use of honor codes so that dishonesty is deterred from.

The National Honor Society is one of the most rewarding achievements a high school student can receive. The name itself represents all the pillars of honor that one hopes to achieve in their life. To be a member of Gradus Honoris is a position many students, including myself, strive towards, however, it is more than an envious position. To be a member represents academic excellence and hard work. A member must be a role model to underclassmen, to show them all the positives of being a dedicated and respectful individual, as well as upholding a sense of integrity. Members represent kindness and patience, with the intent of educating and helping other students so that they may be on track to academic excellence as well. A member is the cream

In recent years, many schools and institutions have introduced an “honor code”. The idea behind an honor code is that, if a student is caught cheating or in violation of the honor code, then there are serious consequences. Also, in some institutions, if a student catches another student violating the honor code, then the students must turn in the violator. While in theory this sounds like a good plan, many cases have shown that this code does not work in a practical application. Even with the introduction of the honor code, many schools have found that students continue to cheat, and students refuse to turn in their peers.

Many schools tend to have problems with cheating and trust between students and teachers. Many schools have introduced honor codes which have either significantly improve these issues or have had no effect. Honor codes, if effectively integrated and properly interpreted, can help my high school minimize serious cheating, increase student morality, and improve trust. Honor codes can help students become more honest and make the classroom less vulnerable to dishonesty. An online article from the perspective of Alyssa Vangelli, a senator, establishes the way she perceived honor codes by illustrating the idea that “reminders of these moral values [give the student] a responsibility to perform honestly in the school environment” (Source B).

I am greatly appreciative of this opportunity to be a part of the honored students in the National Honors Society. Ever since I learned about the prestige of this organization I wished to one day join, and seeing my two older sisters be apart of the society must have been a contributing factor as well. Through the years I have learned to take calculated risks, how to grow emotionally and spiritually, the value of hardwork, and how to learn. I take pride in who I am turning out to be, constantly finding ways to do the right thing no matter how hard it is, and never ending my pursuit for learning and improvement.

National Honors Society, and the four pillars of scholarship, leadership, service, and character establish the basis for a high-level student and young adult. Consistently, I strive to meet these standards and beliefs. The high standards held by the National Honors Society provide a positive basis for an exceptional young adult. By observing these standards, I hope to become an intelligent, respectable, and honorable student, that takes pride in his work and endeavors. The four pillars and beliefs of the National Honors Society will directly impact my future experiences and endeavors in many ways especially positively progressing my future academic career in a multitude of directions.

Rules governing academic integrity among students and schools is a practice deeply entrenched in the American education system and that of those around the world. Likely beginning at the University of Virginia in the United States during 1842 as a way to discourage cheating, dishonesty, and plagiarism, it soon spread throughout the nation. Today, the overwhelming majority of schools in the US, from elementary to collegiate, have their own form of a honor code. Among these schools is Port Charlotte High School, PCHS abbreviated, whose own code of conduct is based heavily on students being educated about the effects that their cheating will have on their academic future and punishing those who are discovered to have cheated in any form. So far, these particular academic regulations have proven successful and because of this, the charge put forward by the school should continue to be maintained. Revising the Code of Conduct into a peer-enforced system creates is statistically inefficient, hostilities between students, and eliminating the honor code would easily produce a school where cheating reigns free.

Xavier’s Honor System will give me an opportunity to endure in many experiences. Even if the experiences are good or bad it will give me a chance to learn from my mistakes. By experiencing things I can learn more about myself. In college I have the freedom to do anything I want, but I shouldn’t take it lightly. The honor code will teach me not to have too much freedom and how to manage my time.