Introduction
In the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP), learning is built on trust, integrity, and respect. The Academic Honesty Policy exists to make sure that all students develop these values as part of their academic and personal growth.
More than a set of rules, this policy helps students understand what responsible scholarship looks like — how to research, cite, collaborate, and reflect ethically. In this guide, we’ll break down what academic honesty means in the MYP, what behaviors to avoid, and how students can maintain integrity in all their work.
What Is Academic Honesty?
Academic honesty means completing your own work while giving proper credit to others for their ideas or contributions. It involves honesty in research, writing, collaboration, and assessment.
The IB defines it as:
“A set of values and behaviors that promote personal integrity and good practice in teaching, learning, and assessment.”
In simple terms, being academically honest means:
- Doing your own thinking and expressing ideas in your own words.
- Acknowledging sources when using someone else’s work.
- Following school and IB guidelines on research and collaboration.
- Acting ethically in all assessments and projects.
Why It Matters
The Academic Honesty Policy is about character and fairness. Students who uphold it:
- Build credibility and self-respect.
- Earn genuine grades that reflect their abilities.
- Prepare for ethical behavior in higher education and life.
Violating this policy undermines not only one’s own learning but also the fairness and integrity of the IB community.
