Montana is making consistent progress towards a higher standard of education. So far, the approach is working, with a stellar high school graduation rate and progressively higher national rankings. However, the state's high school students are less likely to master advanced placement material, and student progress drops by 11th grade.
With overly-high expectations and pressure to perform, many students feel overwhelmed. Unfortunately, some resort to unethical means to stay ahead. Enter academic misconduct: a series of actions that allow students to gain an unfair advantage over their peers. Whether it's using an app for homework answers to establishing a network with peers, academic misconduct comes with repercussions that halt your teen's educational progress.
Even if your teen faces high school academic misconduct allegations in Montana, they still have a right to defend themselves against accusations. With the help of a legal advisor, you can take steps to prevent an overly austere penalty from harming your teen's graduation prospects.
Characterizing Academic Misconduct
Academic misconduct is an intentional act that allows a student to make dishonest academic gains. Most schools have a code of conduct or policy that mentions misconduct violations. For example, Bozeman High School, the top-ranked high school in Montana, defines misconduct as any action that breaches its integrity standards, such as plagiarism and cheating.
Another top-rated Montana high school, Hellgate high, consider academic misconduct a form of educational malpractice. Its Academic Honesty policy includes guidelines on protecting intellectual property, maintaining authenticity, and avoiding cheating.
While there are innumerable ways that students engage in academic misconduct, some of the most common include:
- Cheating: Using unauthorized aids to obtain answers to tests and quizzes. Cheating may include taking answers from peers or storing information on hidden electronic devices (smartphones, tablets).
- Internet: Multiple websites and apps that are easily accessible help students obtain answers to homework.
- Paying for a Service: Using an essay mill or asking someone to complete homework or tests/quizzes in exchange for payment.
- Falsification: Altering data or information on hard or soft copies of documents such as tests, emails, certifications, and report cards.
- Collusion: Working with other students to cheat. Examples include a student taking pictures of a test to distribute to another student taking the same exam later.
- Fabrication: Entering false information and presenting it as legitimate data in an assignment.
- Plagiarism: Copying work and claiming that it is the personal effort of the student. It can also be failing to cite or give credit to the material's creator.
- Sabotage: Destroying another student's work or school property, such as books in the library.
- Unauthorized disclosure: Taking privileged or confidential information from the school and distributing it to peers or third parties.
Depending on the severity of the charge and the number of students participating, repercussions range from grade deduction to permanent removal from the school campus.
Penalties and Implications
High school administrations want to control academic misconduct and maintain a fair playing ground for students. Unfortunately, in their effort to weed out misconduct, they often go overboard in their zeal to enact punishments. Many students receive disproportionate penalties for their actions, especially if they do not have evidence to refute the allegations.
Your teen may face a panel of teachers or only speak with one administrator, such as the principal or dean. Usually, the teacher suspecting your teen of cheating will address their concerns directly to your child. If they do not receive a satisfactory explanation, they refer the case to an administrator and contact the student's parents.
The administrator re-examines the evidence and gives your teen a chance to explain. It is during this time that the guidance of an advisor is invaluable. Your advisor knows how school administrations operate and can identify gaps in the investigation process or discrepancies in statements. If your teen's strategy is not “bulletproof,” they face:
- Failing a class
- Unfair/targeted treatment
- Repeating a grade
- Removal from honor societies
- Loss of privileges
- Loss of scholarships or grants
- Suspension
- Expulsion
- Receiving separate penalties from the College Board
- Graduation delays
- Loss of reputation
Don't let your teen's mistake become a defining aspect of their high school experience. Disciplinary measures must help your child realize the consequences of their actions, not adversely impact their life indefinitely.
Creating a Strategy
The best approach to an academic misconduct case is to create a strategy and gain knowledge about the school's violation procedures. Now is the time to focus on how to stop your teen's high school administration from affecting their educational path.
Once you receive official notice from your child's high school regarding academic misconduct allegations, consider:
- Staying calm and remembering that the priority now is to solve your teen's issue.
- Not responding to allegations before consulting a legal advisor.
- Refraining from contacting the teacher accusing your teen.
- Obtaining documentation of the allegations for review by your advisor.
- Reviewing the student handbook or academic policy for information on violations and proceedings.
- Having a conversation with your teen to understand the nature of the violation – no matter how extensive.
- Gathering evidence such as emails, research history, and correspondence with the teacher.
- Seeking witnesses who can confirm your child's claims or refute claims by administrators.
- Gather character references to bolster support for your teen.
- Refraining from commenting publicly about the issue to other parents, neighbors, or teachers.
- Ensuring that your teen does not comment on their case through social media platforms or to peers.
Adopting a sound strategy increases the likelihood of clearing your teen's name and helping them understand the repercussions of their actions. For the best possible outcome, contact attorney-advisor Joseph D. Lento to improve the chances of a favorable resolution.
The Lento Law Firm is Here to Help
An academic misconduct allegation can undermine years of hard work and effort. Don't let your child suffer long-term consequences for a momentary lapse in judgment.
With a comprehensive approach that leaves no stone unturned, advisor Joseph D. Lento helps your teen fight high school academic misconduct allegations in Montana with confidence.
Call the Lento Law firm today for a confidential and in-depth discussion of your teen's options at 888-535-3686.
Montana high schools where Joseph D. Lento can help as your child's student's academic misconduct advisor during investigations, hearings and appeals include, but are not limited to, the following school districts:
A
- Absarokee Elementary
- Absarokee High School
- Alberton K-12 Schools
- Alder Elementary
- Alzada Elementary
- Amsterdam Elementary
- Anaconda Elementary
- Anaconda High School
- Anderson Elementary
- Arlee Elementary
- Arlee High School
- Arrowhead Elementary
- Ayers Elementary
B
- Bainville K-12 Schools
- Baker K-12 Schools
- Basin Elementary
- Bear Paw Elementary
- Beaverhead County High School
- Belfry K-12 Schools
- Belgrade Elementary
- Belgrade High School
- Belt Elementary
- Belt High School
- Benton Lake Elementary
- Biddle Elementary
- Big Dry Creek Elementary
- Big Sandy Elementary
- Big Sandy High School
- Big Timber Elementary
- Bigfork Elementary
- Bigfork High School
- Billings Elementary
- Billings High School
- Birney Elementary
- Bloomfield Elementary
- Blue Creek Elementary
- Bonner Elementary
- Boulder Elementary
- Box Elder Elementary
- Box Elder High School
- Boyd Elementary
- Bozeman Elementary
- Bozeman High School
- Bridger K-12 Schools
- Broadus Elementary
- Broadview Elementary
- Broadview High School
- Brockton Elementary
- Brockton High School
- Brorson Elementary
- Browning Elementary
- Browning High School
- Butte Elementary
- Butte High School
- Bynum Elementary
C
- Camas Prairie Elementary
- Canyon Creek Elementary
- Cardwell Elementary
- Carter County High School
- Carter Elementary
- Cascade Elementary
- Cascade High School
- Cayuse Prairie Elementary
- Centerville High School
- Charlo Elementary
- Charlo High School
- Chester-Joplin-Inverness Elementary
- Chester-Joplin-Inverness High School
- Chinook Elementary
- Chinook High School
- Choteau Elementary
- Choteau High School
- Circle Elementary
- Circle High School
- Clancy Elementary
- Cleveland Elementary
- Clinton Elementary
- Cohagen Elementary
- Colstrip Elementary
- Colstrip High School
- Columbia Falls Elementary
- Columbia Falls High School
- Columbus Elementary
- Columbus High School
- Conrad Elementary
- Conrad High School
- Cooke City Elementary
- Corvallis K-12 Schools
- Cottonwood Elementary
- Cottonwood Elementary
- Cottonwood Elementary
- Creston Elementary
- Culbertson Elementary
- Culbertson High School
- Custer County High School
- Custer K-12 Schools
- Cut Bank Elementary
- Cut Bank High School
D
- Darby K-12 Schools
- Davey Elementary
- Dawson High School
- Deep Creek Elementary
- Deer Creek Elementary
- Deer Lodge Elementary
- Deer Park Elementary
- Deerfield Elementary
- Denton Elementary
- Denton High School
- Desmet Elementary
- Dillon Elementary
- Divide Elementary
- Dixon Elementary
- Dodson Elementary
- Dodson High School
- Drummond Elementary
- Drummond High School
- Dupuyer Elementary
- Dutton/Brady K-12 Schools
E
- Earl 18
- East Glacier Park Elementary
- East Helena Elementary
- Edgar Elementary
- Ekalaka Elementary
- Elder Grove Elementary
- Elliston Elementary
- Elysian Elementary
- Ennis K-12 Schools
- Eureka Elementary
- Evergreen Elementary
F
- Fair-Mont-Egan Elementary
- Fairfield Elementary
- Fairfield High School
- Fairview Elementary
- Fairview High School
- Fergus High School
- Fishtail Elementary
- Flathead High School
- Flaxville K-12 Schools
- Florence-Carlton K-12 Schools
- Forsyth Elementary
- Forsyth High School
- Fort Benton Elementary
- Fort Benton High School
- Fortine Elementary
- Frazer Elementary
- Frazer High School
- Frenchtown K-12 Schools
- Froid Elementary
- Froid High School
- Fromberg Elementary
- Fromberg High School
- Frontier Elementary
G
- Galata Elementary
- Gallatin Gateway Elementary
- Gardiner Elementary
- Gardiner High School
- Garfield County High School
- Garrison Elementary
- Geraldine Elementary
- Geraldine High School
- Geyser Elementary
- Geyser High School
- Gildford Colony Elementary
- Glasgow K-12 Schools
- Glendive Elementary
- Gold Creek Elementary
- Golden Ridge Elementary
- Grant Elementary
- Grass Range Elementary
- Grass Range High School
- Great Falls Elementary
- Great Falls High School
- Greenfield Elementary
- Greycliff Elementary
H
- Hall Elementary
- Hamilton K-12 Schools
- Hardin Elementary
- Hardin High School
- Harlem Elementary
- Harlem High School
- Harlowton Elementary
- Harlowton High School
- Harrison K-12 Schools
- Havre Elementary
- Havre High School
- Hawks Home Elementary
- Hays-Lodge Pole K-12 Schools
- Heart Butte K-12 Schools
- Helena Elementary
- Helena Flats Elementary
- Helena High School
- Hellgate Elementary
- Helmville Elementary
- Highwood Elementary
- Highwood High School
- Hinsdale Elementary
- Hinsdale High School
- Hobson K-12 Schools
- Hot Springs Elementary
- Hot Springs High School
- Huntley Project K-12 Schools
- Hysham K-12 Schools
I
- Independent Elementary
J
- Jackson Elementary
- Jefferson High School
- Joliet Elementary
- Joliet High School
- Jordan Elementary
- Judith Gap Elementary
- Judith Gap High School
K
- Kalispell Elementary
- Kester Elementary
- Kila Elementary
- King Colony Elementary
- Kinsey Elementary
- Kircher Elementary
- Knees Elementary
L
- Lambert Elementary
- Lambert High School
- Lame Deer Elementary
- Lame Deer High School
- Lamotte Elementary
- Landusky Elementary
- Laurel Elementary
- Laurel High School
- Lavina K-12 Schools
- Lennep Elementary
- Lewistown Elementary
- Libby K-12 Schools
- Liberty Elementary
- Lima K-12 Schools
- Lincoln County High School
- Lincoln K-12 Schools
- Lindsay Elementary
- Livingston Elementary
- Lockwood Elementary
- Lodge Grass Elementary
- Lodge Grass High School
- Lolo Elementary
- Lone Rock Elementary
- Lustre Elementary
- Luther Elementary
M
- Malmborg Elementary
- Malta K-12 Schools
- Manhattan Elementary
- Manhattan High School
- Marion Elementary
- McCormick Elementary
- McLeod Elementary
- Medicine Lake K-12 Schools
- Melrose Elementary
- Melstone Elementary
- Melstone High School
- Melville Elementary
- Miami Elementary
- Miles City Elementary
- Missoula Elementary
- Missoula High School
- Molt Elementary
- Monforton Elementary
- Mont School for the Deaf and Blind
- Montana City Elementary
- Moore Elementary
- Moore High School
- Morin Elementary
- Mountain View Elementary
N
- Nashua K-12 Schools
- North Harlem Colony Elementary
- North Star Elementary
- North Star High School
- Noxon Elementary
- Noxon High School
- Nye Elementary
O
- Olney-Bissell Elementary
- Opheim K-12 Schools
- Ophir Elementary
- Ovando Elementary
P
- Paradise Elementary
- Park City Elementary
- Park City High School
- Park High School
- Pass Creek Elementary
- Peerless K-12 Schools
- Pendroy Elementary
- Philipsburg K-12 Schools
- Pine Creek Elementary
- Pine Grove Elementary
- Pioneer Elementary
- Plains Elementary
- Plains High School
- Pleasant Valley Elementary
- Plenty Coups High School
- Plentywood K-12 Schools
- Plevna K-12 Schools
- Polaris Elementary
- Polson Elementary
- Polson High School
- Poplar Elementary
- Poplar High School
- Potomac Elementary
- Powder River County District High School
- Powell County High School
- Power Elementary
- Power High School
- Pryor Elementary
R
- Ramsay Elementary
- Rapelje Elementary
- Rapelje High School
- Rau Elementary
- Raynesford Elementary
- Red Lodge Elementary
- Red Lodge High School
- Reed Point Elementary
- Reed Point High School
- Reichle Elementary
- Richey Elementary
- Richey High School
- Roberts K-12 Schools
- Rocky Boy Elementary
- Rocky Boy High School
- Ronan Elementary
- Ronan High School
- Rosebud Elementary
- Rosebud High School
- Ross Elementary
- Roundup Elementary
- Roundup High School
- Roy K-12 Schools
- Ryegate K-12 Schools
S
- S H Elementary
- S Y Elementary
- Saco Elementary
- Saco High School
- Sand Springs Elementary
- Savage Elementary
- Savage High School
- Scobey K-12 Schools
- Seeley Lake Elementary
- Shawmut Elementary
- Shelby Elementary
- Shelby High School
- Shepherd Elementary
- Shepherd High School
- Sheridan Elementary
- Sheridan High School
- Shields Valley Elementary
- Shields Valley High School
- Sidney Elementary
- Sidney High School
- Simms High School
- Smith Valley Elementary
- Somers Elementary
- South Stacey Elementary
- Spring Creek Colony School
- Spring Creek Elementary
- Springdale Elementary
- Springhill Elementary
- Ignatius K-12 Schools
- Regis K-12 Schools
- Stanford K-12 Schools
- Stevensville Elementary
- Stevensville High School
- Sun River Valley Elementary
- Sunburst K-12 Schools
- Sunset Elementary
- Superior K-12 Schools
- Swan Lake-Salmon Elementary
- Swan River Elementary
- Swan Valley Elementary
- Sweet Grass County High School
- Sylvanite Elementary
T
- Target Range Elementary
- Terry K-12 Schools
- Thompson Falls Elementary
- Thompson Falls High School
- Three Forks Elementary
- Three Forks High School
- Townsend K-12 Schools
- Trail Creek Elementary
- Trego Elementary
- Trinity Elementary
- Trout Creek Elementary
- Troy Elementary
- Troy High School
- Turner Elementary
- Turner High School
- Twin Bridges K-12 Schools
- Twin Buttes Elementary
U
- Ulm Elementary
- Upper West Shore Elementary
V
- Valier Elementary
- Valier High School
- Valley View Elementary
- Van Norman Elementary
- Vaughn Elementary
- Victor K-12 Schools
- Vida Elementary
W
- Warrick Elementary
- West Glacier Elementary
- West Valley Elementary
- West Yellowstone K-12
- Westby K-12 Schools
- White Sulphur Springs Elementary
- White Sulphur Springs High School
- Whitefish Elementary
- Whitefish High School
- Whitehall Elementary
- Whitehall High School
- Whitewater K-12 Schools
- Whitlash Elementary
- Wibaux K-12 Schools
- Willow Creek Elementary
- Willow Creek High School
- Winifred K-12 Schools
- Winnett K-12 Schools
- Wisdom Elementary
- Wise River Elementary
- Wolf Creek Elementary
- Wolf Point Elementary
- Wolf Point High School
- Woodman Elementary
- Wyola Elementary
Y
- Yaak Elementary
- Yellowstone Academy Elementary
Z
- Zurich Elementary
It is critical to make certain academic misconduct charges at your child's Montana high school are handled properly and that the accused student's interests and rights are protected from as early as possible during the investigative and disciplinary process. One reason, among many, is because even at high schools where a finding of responsibility for academic misconduct is made at a hearing, the investigation will set the stage for what the hearing panel is provided prior to a hearing (and what the hearing panel will in large part rely on at a hearing), and at high schools where the finding of responsibility is made solely through the investigative process, what takes place during the investigation itself will determine whether the accused student is found responsible or not responsible for academic misconduct.
Unfortunately, some parents make the mistake of not taking the necessary precautions as soon as possible when their child is accused of academic misconduct. Some people will mistakenly believe that if they "just explain what happened," their school will be fair and impartial and will arrive at the truth. In a perfect world this may be the case, but in a perfect world, being called to answer for alleged academic misconduct would not exist.
Fighting passionately for the future of his clients at schools throughout the nation for many years, Joseph D. Lento knows how important it is to mount the strongest defense because he understands that an accused high school student's academic future is on the line. He does not settle for the easiest outcome, and instead prioritizes his clients' needs and well-being. Joseph Lento is a licensed attorney in New Jersey and New York, is admitted as an attorney pro hac vice in state and federal court if needed when representing clients nationwide, and serves as an academic misconduct advisor to high school students facing investigations and disciplinary cases in Montana and throughout the nation. Make certain your or your student's interests are protected - Contact National High School Academic Misconduct Defense Attorney Joseph D. Lento today at 888-535-3686.
