Georgia Ethics for Educators

Rhonda Powers, Professional Learning Coordinator

What are the GA Code of Ethics for Educators?Set by the Professional Standards

Commission11 StandardsAvailable at www.gapsc.com/ethics

What is the role of the PSC?Establishes standards with the input of

educators and in response to real need. (Testing standard most recently added.)

Reviews cases submitted by educators or parents or students throughout the state

Determines if action is required: suspension or revocation

Issues suspension or revocation and monitors actions required by educator

Does not recommend criminal penalties, but may testify in civil or criminal actions

How does this relate to me?Educator is defined as:“a teacher, school or school system

administrator, or other education personnel who holds a certificate issued by the Professional Standards Commission and persons who have applied for but have not yet received a certificate.

For the purposes of the Code of Ethics for Educators, “educator” also refers to paraprofessionals, aides, and substitute teachers.”

Ethical Decision Making for Teachers ArticleRead the article.Write a one-sentence summary of

each section.

What do you already know?Pre-test

Eleven StandardsStandard 1: Legal Compliance

Standard 2: Conduct with Students

Standard 3: Alcohol or Drugs

Standard 4: Honesty

Standard 5: Public Funds and Property

Standard 6: Remunerative Conduct

Standard 7: Confidential Information

Standard 8: Abandonment of Contract

Standard 9: Required Report

Standard 10: Professional Conduct

Standard 11: Testing

PSC Sanctions – 9/12 – 9/13Legal compliance-35Conduct with Students-80Alcohol and Drugs-26Honesty-110Public Funds and Property-29Remunerative Conduct-2Confidential Information-4Abandonment of Contract-5Required Reports-29Professional Conduct-37Testing-110Total-467

Standard 1: Legal Compliance

Must abide by all federal, state, and local laws and statutes

Unethical Conduct

Unethical conduct includes:Commission or conviction of a felony Crime involving moral turpitude Other criminal offense involving the

manufacture, distribution, trafficking, sale, or possession of a controlled substance or marijuana

Standard 1 Legal Compliance, cont.

Conviction includes:Finding or verdict of guiltyPlea of nolo contendere (regardless of

whether an appeal has been sought),Situation where first offender

treatment without adjudication of guilt was granted

Situation where an adjudication of guilt or sentence was otherwise withheld or not entered on the charge

Crimes involving Moral TurpitudeFraud or false pretenses in obtaining

something of valueLarceny or a misdemeanor theft by takingLarceny after trustMurderSoliciting for prostitutesVoluntary manslaughterSale of narcotics or other illegal drugsPattern of failure to file federal tax returns in

years in which taxes are dueCriminal Issuance of a bad checkMake a false report of a crime

Not Crimes involving Moral Turpitude Public drunkenness Driving under the influence Carrying a concealed weapon Unlawful sale of liquor Fighting Simple Battery Simple Assault Misdemeanor criminal trespass Child abandonment Misdemeanor offense of escape Misdemeanor offense of obstructing a law enforcement

officer Federal misdemeanor offense of Conspiracy in Restraint of

Interstate Trade and Commerce Possession of less than one ounce of marijuana

Standard 2: Conduct with Students

An educator shall always maintain a professional relationship with all students, both in and outside the classroom.

Who are students?Individual enrolled in the state’s public

or private schools from preschool through grade 12 or any individual under the age of 18.

For the purpose of the code of ethics, the enrollment period for a graduating student ends on August 31 of the year of graduation.

Unethical conduct includes:

Committing any act of child abuse, including physical and verbal abuse

Committing any act of cruelty to children or any act of child endangerment

Committing any sexual act with a student or soliciting such from a student

Engaging in or permitting harassment of or misconduct toward a student that would violate a state or federal law

Unethical conduct, cont.Soliciting, encouraging, or

consummating an inappropriate written, verbal, electronic, or physical relationship with a student.

Furnishing tobacco, alcohol, or illegal/unauthorized drugs to any student

Failing to prevent the use of alcohol or illegal or unauthorized drugs by students who are under the educator’s supervision (including but not limited to at the educator’s residence or any other private setting)

Be Friendly, Not a Friend.

Student Relationship Guidelines

Gossip

Choose Appropriate Settings

Student Relationship Guidelines

Student Relationship Guidelines

Social Networking

Don’t accept students as friends and decline any student initiated social network friend requests.

Don’t post anything on a website that you would not post on the front door of the school.

Standard 3: Alcohol & DrugsAn educator shall refrain from the use of alcohol or illegal or unauthorized drugs during the course of professional practice.

Unethical Conduct:Being on school premises or at a

school-related activity while under the influence of, possessing, using, or consuming illegal or unauthorized drugs

Being on school premises or at a school-related activity involving students while under the influence of, possessing, or consuming alcohol

What is a “school-related activity”?

Any activity sponsored by the school or school system (booster clubs, parent-teacher organizations, or any activity designed to enhance the school curriculum i.e., Foreign Language trips, etc.)

Standard 4: Honesty

An educator shall exemplify honesty and integrity in the course of professional practice.

Unethical conduct:Falsifying, misrepresenting, or omitting:Professional qualifications, criminal

history, college or staff development credit and/or degrees, academic award, and employment history

Information submitted to federal, state, local school districts, and other government agencies

Information regarding the evaluation of students and/or personnel

Unethical Conduct, cont.

Falsifying, misrepresenting, or omitting:Reasons for absences or leavesInformation submitted in the course of

an official inquiry/investigationInformation submitted in the course of

professional practice

Standard 5: Public Funds & Property

An educator entrusted with public funds and property shall honor that trust with a high level of honesty, accuracy, and responsibility.

Unethical Conduct:Misusing public or school-related fundsFailing to account for funds collected from

students or parentsSubmitting fraudulent requests or

documentation for reimbursement of expenses or for pay (including fraudulent or purchased degrees, documents, or coursework)

Co-mingling public or school-related funds with personal funds or checking accounts

Using school property without the approval of the local board of education or authorized designee

Standard 6: Remunerative Conduct

An educator shall maintain integrity with students, colleagues, parents, patrons, or businesses when accepting gifts, gratuities, favors, and additional compensation.

Unethical Conduct:Soliciting students or parents of

students to purchase equipment, supplies, or services from the educator or to participate in activities that financially benefit the educator unless approved by the local board or education or authorized designee

Accepting gifts from vendors or potential vendors for personal use or gain where there may be the appearance of a conflict of interest

Unethical Conduct, cont.Tutoring students assigned to the

educator for remuneration unless approved by the local board of education or authorized designee

Coaching, instructing, promoting athletic camps, summer leagues, etc. that involves students in an educator’s school system and from whom the educator receives remuneration unless approved by the local board of educator or authorized designee.

Standard 7: Confidential Information

An educator shall comply with state and federal laws and state school board policies relating to the confidentiality of student and personal records, standardized test material and other information.

Unethical conduct:Sharing of confidential information

concerning student academic and disciplinary records, health and medical information, family status and/or income, and assessment/testing results unless disclosure is required or permitted by law.

Sharing of confidential information restricted by state or federal law

Unethical conduct, cont.Violation of confidentiality agreements

related to standardized testing including copying or teaching identified test items, publishing or distributing test items or answers, discussing test items, violating local school system or state directions for the use of test or test items

Violation of other confidentiality agreements required by state and local policy

Standard 8: Abandonment of Contract

An educator shall fulfill all of the terms and obligations detailed in the contract with the local board of education or education agency for the duration of the contract.

Unethical conduct:Abandoning the contract for

professional services without prior release from the contract by the employer

Willfully refusing to perform the services required by a contract.

Standard 9: Required Reports

An educator shall file reports of a breach of one or more of the standards in the Code of Ethics for Educators, child abuse (O.C.G.A. §19-7-5), or any other required report.

Unethical Conduct:

Failure to report all requested information on documents required by the Commission when applying for or renewing any certificate

Failure to make a required report of a violation of one or more standards of the Code of Ethics for educators of which they have personal knowledge as soon as possible but no later than ninety (90) days from the date the educator became aware of an alleged breach unless the law or local procedures require reporting sooner

Unethical Conduct, cont.

Failure to make a required report of any violation of state or federal law as soon as possible but no later than ninety (90) days from the date the educator became aware of an alleged breach unless the law or local procedures require reporting sooner.

Important Note:O.C.G.A. §19-7-5 requires that

suspected child abuse be reported within 24 hours.

Standard 10: Professional ConductAn educator shall demonstrate conduct that follows generally recognized professional standards and preserves the dignity and integrity of the teaching profession.

Unethical conduct:Any conduct that impairs and/or

diminishes the certificate holder’s ability to function professionally in his or her employment position, or behavior or conduct that is detrimental to the health, welfare, discipline, or morals of students.

Professional Conduct Cases

• Organized a betting pool with students• Called a student a “heifer” and her mother

“stupid”• Gave extra credit to students who

contributed to a fundraiser• Left class without permission via a window • Had two loaded guns in desk drawer• Sexually harassed a colleague• Restrained a teacher and tried to kiss her

against her will• Sexual interaction with colleague on school

grounds

Standard 11: Testing

An educator shall administer state-mandated assessments fairly and ethically.

Unethical conduct:Committing any act that breaches test

securityCompromising the integrity of the

assessment

Disciplinary ActionMonitor – quarterly appraisal of educator’s

conductWarning – warns that conduct was

unethical. Further unethical conduct will lead to more severe action

Reprimand – admonishes certificate holder for his/her conduct. Further unethical conduct will lead to more severe action

Suspend – temporary invalidation of certificate

Revoke – invalidation of certificateDeny – refusal to grant certificate

When can disciplinary actions be taken?

Unethical conduct from Code of EthicsDisciplinary action from another stateCourt order for non-payment of child

support (O.C.G.A. §19-6-28.1 and §19-11-9.3)

Notification from GA Higher Ed Assistance Corporation of default on student loans (O.C.G.A. §20-3-295)

Any individual whose certificate has been revoked, denied, or suspended may not serve as a volunteer or be employed as an educator, paraprofessional, aide, substitute teacher or in any other position during the period of the revocation, suspension, or denial.

Advice from the PSC …Take testing seriouslyBe friendly to the students – you are

not their friend but their supervisor and role model

Honesty and integrity are importantEducators are held to higher

standardsEducators are mandated reporters if

they are aware of violations of the Code of Ethics

If you have a doubt …… don’t do it!!!

Ethics in the news …Articles

Questions?

Let’s clarify what we have learned …Quiz (group)Worksheet

Now to apply what we learned ….Situation CardsGroup Assignment

Checking for Understanding ….

Individual AssignmentDue: July 21

Thinking about what we have done …What steps did I go through to teach

the lesson?1. Lecture (structured note taking)2. Clarification of concepts3. Application of concepts4. Checking for understandingWhy did I go through all of those

steps?

Thinking through the lesson cont.

How would the lesson have been different if I stopped after the lecture and gave a quiz?

Why did I choose the materials/resources that I did for the lesson?