DURHAM -- A plagiarism policy involving a third-party tracking system has at least one trustee feeling a little guarded.
The Durham District School Board adopted a consistent plagiarism policy to address prevention, intervention and issues which arise from using third-party tracking software during its June 15 meeting.
"Not that I'm opposed to this, but does this not smell somewhat like Big Brother?" asked Oshawa Trustee Michael Barrett.
"I have no concern; that's one answer for you," said Oshawa Trustee Larry Jacula, the board's chairman.
As part of the plagiarism motion, schools using the tracking software need written notice and a parent permission form completed and a signed contract from the provider once it's implemented. Schools also have to offer opt-out options for students and alternative strategies to prevent and assess work for plagiarism.
The policy does seem a bit like Big Brother, but is necessary, said student Trustee Ian Chislett.
Access to cheating is enormous, said Pickering Trustee Sherry Croteau, who recently took a course at Trent University.
"Unfortunately, I think this is really the way this has come about to keep people on the straight and narrow," she said.
Maybe it should be about catching people with good values instead of trying to catch people cheating, Trustee Barrett said.
"But that's enough philosophy for the day," he added.
"I think this is a policy that just catches the policies up with the technology," said Oshawa Trustee Kathleen Hopper.
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