Professional Ethics

This is the property of IU28. To register, please email Susan Griffith (sgriffith@iu28.org).

Professional Ethics is part of a set of requirements outlined in Chapter 49. ALL educators, regardless of certification area, must complete Professional Ethics within their Comprehensive Plan's Professional Development, beginning 2023-2024 School Year.

This SMORE will guide you through modules focused on the standards of

☑️Behavior ☑️Values & ☑️Principles that guide professional decision-making. This will satisfy the requirement of Chapter 49 Professional Ethics training and will ensure you have the information you need as an educator.

There are 3 Modules below with activities, links, and reading material. You are expected to complete each module to receive credit. Open THIS GOOGLE DOC and make a copy to save to your device. Anywhere you see "🤔Reflect", you will record your response on your own document. Once the three modules are completed, you will take a short quiz. Upon passing, you will receive a certificate. Please turn in the certificate and your document to your supervisor for credit.

🧽🧼🧹Housekeeping 🧽🧼🧹

How long will this take me? This is designed to take 2 hours

How can I navigate if I start and stop? Check out the Table of Contents to your left! You can easily travel between modules as needed.

Do I get Act 48? Speak to your supervisor about Act 48 credit; that is a local decision and managed by your district, not the IU.

Technical Help: If you have a question specific to navigating the SMORE or you find a broken link, contact Susan Griffith sgriffith@iu28.org. If your technical issue is anything else, please contact your IT support.

Most professional careers have a level of expectation for their employees. Some have agreed upon conduct expectations and ethics. Educators follow state law, PDE Code of Conduct, and Teacher Evaluation and Policy.

Watch this short video on why teachers have Professional Ethic expectations.

PA State Law requires ethics to be integrated into educator preparation, induction, and continuing professional development. To maintain your certification, you must complete a professional ethics training every 3 years within your district's Comprehensive Plan.

Click HERE to read the Program Framework.

"Professional conduct defines interactions between the individual educator and students, the employing agencies and other professionals. Generally, the responsibility for professional conduct rests with the individual educator." Chapter 235. CODE OF PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE AND CONDUCT FOR EDUCATORS

§ 235.5a. Commitment to students.

(a) The primary professional obligation of educators is to the students they serve.

(b) In fulfillment of the commitment to students, educators:

(1) Shall exercise their rights and powers in good faith and for the benefit of the student.

(2) Shall maintain appropriate professional relationships and boundaries with all students at all times, both in and outside the classroom.

(3) Shall not sexually harass students or engage in sexual misconduct.

(4) Shall exert reasonable effort to protect students from harm.

(5) Shall not intentionally expose a student to disparagement.

(6) Shall exhibit consistent and equitable treatment and shall not unlawfully discriminate against students.

(7) Shall not interfere with a student’s exercise of political or civil rights and responsibilities.

(8) Shall not knowingly or intentionally distort or misrepresent evaluations of students or facts regarding students.

(9) Shall not knowingly or intentionally misrepresent subject matter or curriculum.

(10) Shall respect a student’s right to privacy and comply with all Federal and State laws and regulations, and local policies concerning student records and confidential communications of students.

(11) Shall not be on school premises or at a school-related activity involving students, while under the influence of, possessing or consuming alcoholic beverages or illegal or unauthorized drugs.

(12) Shall not furnish, provide, or encourage students or underage persons to use, possess or unlawfully distribute alcohol, tobacco, vaping products, illegal or unauthorized drugs or knowingly allow any student or underage person to consume alcohol, tobacco, vaping products, or illegal or unauthorized drugs in the presence of the educator.

(13) Shall refrain from inappropriate communication with a student or minor, including, inappropriate communication achieved by electronic communication. Inappropriate communication includes communications that are sexually explicit, that include images, depictions, jokes, stories or other remarks of a sexualized nature, that can be reasonably interpreted as flirting or soliciting sexual contact or a romantic relationship, or that comment on the physical or sexual attractiveness or the romantic or sexual history, activities, preferences, desires or fantasies of either the educator or the student. Factors that may be considered in assessing whether other communication is inappropriate include:

(i) the nature, purpose, timing and amount/extent of the communication;

(ii) the subject matter of the communication; and

(iii) whether the communication was made openly or the educator attempted to conceal the communication.

§ 235.5b. Commitment to colleagues.

In fulfillment of the commitment to colleagues, educators:

(1) Shall not knowingly and intentionally deny or impede a colleague in the exercise or enjoyment of a professional right or privilege in being an educator.

(2) Shall not knowingly and intentionally distort evaluations of colleagues.

(3) Shall not sexually harass a colleague.

(4) Shall not unlawfully discriminate against colleagues.

(5) Shall not interfere with a colleague’s exercise of political or civil rights and responsibilities.

(6) Shall not use coercive means or promise special treatment to influence professional decisions of colleagues.

(7) Shall not threaten, coerce or discriminate against a colleague who in good faith reports or discloses to a governing agency actual or suspected violations of law, agency regulations or standards.

(8) Shall respect a colleague’s right to privacy and comply with all Federal and State laws and regulations, and local policies concerning confidential health or personnel information.

§ 235.5c. Commitment to the profession.

In fulfillment of the commitment to the profession, educators:

(1) Shall comply with all Federal, State, and local laws and regulations and with written school entity policies.

(2) Shall apply for, accept or assign a position or a responsibility on the basis of professional qualifications and abilities.

(3) Shall not knowingly assist entry into or continuance in the education profession of an unqualified person or recommend for employment a person who is not certificated appropriately for the position.

(4) Shall not intentionally or knowingly falsify a document or intentionally or knowingly make a misrepresentation on a matter related to education, criminal history, certification, employment, employment evaluation or professional duties.

(5) Shall not falsify records or direct or coerce others to do so.

(6) Shall accurately report all information required by the local school board or governing board, State education agency, Federal agency or State or Federal law.

(7) Shall not knowingly or intentionally withhold evidence from the proper authorities and shall cooperate fully during official investigations and proceedings.

(8) Shall comply with all local, State or Federal procedures related to the security of standardized tests, test supplies or resources. Educators shall not intentionally or knowingly commit, and shall use reasonable efforts to prevent, any act that breaches test security or compromises the integrity of the assessment, including copying or teaching identified test items, publishing or distributing test items or answers, discussing test items, providing unauthorized assistance to students, unauthorized alteration of test responses, results or data, and violating local school board or State directions for the use of tests.

(9) Shall not accept or offer gratuities, gifts or favors that impair or appear to influence professional judgment, decisions, or actions or to obtain special advantage. This section shall not restrict the acceptance of de minimis gifts or tokens offered and accepted openly from students, parents of students, or other persons or organizations in recognition or appreciation of service.

(10) Shall not exploit professional relationships with students, parents or colleagues for personal gain or advantage.

(11) Shall use school funds, property, facilities, and resources only in accordance with local policies and local, State and Federal laws.

🤔Reflect...

Does the teaching profession need a code of conduct? Why? Write 3-5 sentences.

Educators are evaluated on their instruction but are also expected to uphold and follow the Code of Conduct (Domain 4 of Charlotte Danielson's Framework). Failure to do so may result in disciplinary action.

The Professional Standards and Practices Commission (Commission) is the independent body, representing practicing educators and administrators, the general public and teacher preparation programs, which is charged with providing leadership for improving the quality of education in the Commonwealth by establishing high standards for preparation, certification, practice and ethical conduct in the teaching profession. One facet of its mission is to oversee the educator discipline system, including the imposition of state level discipline.

🤔Reflect: How do you ensure you uphold your professional responsibilities as an educator? Write 3-5 sentences.

The MCEE serves as a guide for future & current educators faced with the complexities of P-12 education. The code establishes principles for ethical best practice, mindfulness, self-reflection, and decision-making, setting the groundwork for self-regulation & self-accountability. The establishment of this professional code of ethics, by educators and for educators, honors the public trust and upholds the dignity of the profession.

The professional educator is aware that trust in the profession depends upon a level of professional conduct and responsibility that may be higher than required by law. This entails holding one and other educators to the same ethical standards.

Read parts A, B, and C of Principle 1 HERE

Then, answer a brief question on the Jamboard

The professional educator is committed to the highest levels of professional and ethical practice.

Read parts A, B, and C of Principle 2 HERE

Then, complete the poll below!

The professional educator has a primary obligation to promote the health, safety and wellbeing of all students. The professional educator treats students with dignity and respect, and establishes and maintains appropriate verbal, physical, emotional and social boundaries.

Watch this video

🤔Reflect: What professional risks have you experienced? Write 3-5 sentences.

The professional educator promotes appropriate relationships and effective interactions with members of the school community.

Read parts A, B, C, D, and E HERE

🤔Reflect: Choose 3 components (of principle 4). Provide examples of actions you’ve taken to comply with the components. Write 3-5 sentences.

The professional educator considers the impact of consuming, creating, distributing and communicating information through all technologies. The ethical educator is vigilant to ensure appropriate boundaries associated with role, time and place are maintained when using electronic communication.

You have now read the PA Code of Professional Practice and Conduct for Educators, the PA Discipline Act, and the PA Model Code of Ethics for Educators (MCEE). If you need to go back, here are quick links to each resource.

Next, you will 🤔Reflect on the difference between the three. You may create a Venn Diagram to show the differences and relationship between them or you may write a paragraph (5-10 sentences) explaining the differences and relationship. This will be completed on your document that will be turned in.

PA Code of Professional Practice and Conduct for Educators

PA Discipline Act/Educator Misconduct

PA Model Code of Ethics for Educators (MCEE)

National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification

Pennsylvania Department of Education

Youtube