GaTutor Code of Conduct
GaTutor believes the online tutoring environment is suitable for all students. The Student Code of Conduct supports this concept by promoting appropriate behavior through consistent and reasonable practices. GaTutor has designed the behaviors and disciplinary actions to provide meaningful learning experiences for students.
The Student Code of Conduct includes those behaviors having disciplinary actions and/or intervention strategies that shall be carried out by the tutor, GaTutor administrators, and/or the student’s local school. The Code of Conduct applies to conduct during tutoring sessions and/or any form of communication, whether written or oral.
GaTutor expects all students to comply with the Student Code of Conduct.
The Student Is Expected to:
- Behave in a respectful, responsible, and safe manner
- Abide by expectations, guidelines, rules, and regulations established by GaTutor
- Participate actively in tutoring sessions
- Hold him or herself to a high standard of academic effort and achievement
Students must attend all scheduled sessions and arrive on time. Sessions start promptly, and tutors will stay for the full 25 minutes but will not extend the session for late arrivals. Cancellations need to be made at least two hours in advance. Frequent no-shows or tardiness will lead to loss of access to GaTutor. After three no-shows, the student’s account will be restricted for 14 days. Additional no-shows may result in being blocked from the platform.
Students in a "virtual building" need to follow certain rules. As a GaTutor student, you must conduct yourself with the highest standards of honesty and integrity. Students will maintain appropriate and respectful behaviors during all tutoring sessions. Communication with GaTutor staff should never be damaging, abusive, offensive, or contain inappropriate words or topics of conversation. All tutoring sessions must adhere to school appropriate topics and should never be obscene, lewd, profane, offensive, indecent, sexually specific, or pornographic.
The following acts will not be tolerated:
- Computer crimes
- Damaging computer programs
- Hacking
- Constructing viruses
- Introducing viruses into a system
- Copying programs
- Misuse of communication tools such as email or synchronous chat tool
- Accessing, sending, creating, or posting material or communication that is damaging, abusive, obscene, lewd, profane, offensive, indecent, sexually explicit, or pornographic, threatening or demeaning to another person
- Harassing and/or bullying
- Falsifying, misrepresenting, omitting or erroneously reporting information regarding instances of alleged inappropriate behavior by any GaTutor employee toward a student
Plagiarism/Cheating
Within the GaTutor program, educators and administrators must take immediate action to address academic dishonesty, particularly plagiarism and cheating. GaTutors play an essential role in fostering a culture of academic integrity. Tutors are expected to make students aware of the significance of upholding academic honesty in all situations.
Tutors take responsibility for dissuading students from engaging in any form of academic misconduct or plagiarism. Furthermore, tutors should offer guidance and support in response to students' academic requirements. However, tutors must abstain from completing assignments on behalf of students, thereby preventing the submission of work under false pretenses.
Academic Integrity
The GaTutor places a high value on academic integrity, and the program expects participating students to uphold this fundamental principle. By design, tutoring sessions provide valuable support and guidance to enhance learning experiences. The following policy outlines the appropriate and responsible use of tutoring services.
Tutoring sessions within the GaTutor program are intended to serve as a platform for assisting students in various aspects of their academic journey, including:
- Concept Understanding: Clarifying concepts that students find challenging
- Example Problems: Practicing example problems to reinforce comprehension
- Confusion Resolution: Aiding students who are confused or struggling
- Difficult Material Review: Reviewing and discussing difficult course materials
- Resource Recommendations: Offering suggestions and resources to aid independent learning
Tutoring sessions can’t substitute for individual effort and learning. The program forbids tutors to complete assignments, projects, or any form of coursework on behalf of students. Therefore:
- No Completion of Work: Tutors will not complete assignments, projects, or coursework for students
- Assignment Fidelity: Students must adhere to the directions provided by their respective teachers for assignments and coursework. Tutors will not revise or assist in completing assignments in ways that deviate from the teacher's expectations
- Honest Engagement: Students are expected to engage in tutoring sessions honestly, seeking guidance to enhance their understanding and skills
- Course Alignment: Students must use tutoring services to align with the objectives and expectations of their courses
- Independent Effort: Students should take responsibility for their learning, using tutoring sessions to supplement their efforts and not as a replacement for individual work
By adhering to these guidelines, students contribute to a culture of academic integrity, ensuring that their learning experiences remain genuine and aligned with their educational goals. The GaTutor program will support student learning needs while fostering a strong foundation of personal responsibility and integrity.
Student Discipline
GaTutor commits to maintaining a respectful and productive learning environment for all participants. The program achieves success by enforcing the Code of Conduct. In cases where students fail to adhere to these standards, the following consequences will apply:
- Notification to Parent/Guardian: Any student found in violation of the Code of Conduct during online tutoring sessions will prompt an immediate notification to their parent or guardian. This communication serves as an opportunity to address the issue collaboratively and facilitate understanding of the importance of respectful conduct.
- Notification to Local School: Instances of inappropriate behavior or violations will be reported to the student's local school administration. This step aims to promote consistency in addressing behavioral standards and fostering a coordinated approach to student conduct.
- Disciplinary Action from Local School System: The local school system reserves the right to take appropriate disciplinary action in accordance with its policies and procedures. Consequences may include disciplinary interventions or sanctions deemed suitable to address the behavior and encourage a positive change.
- Ineligibility for GaTutor Program: Students who persistently violate the Code of Conduct, despite prior interventions, may face the consequence of being ineligible for using the GaTutor program. This measure aims to ensure that the program remains a constructive and supportive learning environment for all participants.