Georgia Professional Standards Commission

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GeorgiaProfessionalStandardsCommission
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The Codeof Ethicsfor EducatorsJuly 1, 1999
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Georgia Legislation

• Senate Bill 535 (1998)
• July 1, 1998
• It shall be the duty of the commission, by
  regulation, to adopt standards of performance and
  a code of ethics for educators.

O.C.G.A. 20-2-984.1
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Steps to Revision

• Statewide Focus Groups
• Superintendents, Personnel Directors, Principals,
  Teachers
• Professional Organizations
• Legal Counsel
• Commission Input
• Rulemaking

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The Goal

• To create a user-friendly document that, put
  into the hands of a college senior, a first year
  teacher, or a twenty-five year veteran educator,
  defines expected and unacceptable behavior for
  Georgia educators, specifies potential
  disciplinary sanctions, and clarifies reporting
  requirements.

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Code of Ethics Format

• Introduction
• Definitions
• Standards
• Reporting
• Disciplinary Action

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The Code of Ethics . . .

• Defines professional behavior of Georgia
  educators
• Serves as a guide to ethical conduct
• Protects the health, safety and general welfare
  of students and educators
• Ensures a degree of accountability and
• Defines conduct that justifies disciplinary
  sanction.

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Definitions

• Certificate
• Educator
• Student
• Complaint

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Standard 1Criminal Acts

• An educator should abide by federal, state,
  and local laws and statutes.

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Unethical ConductCriminal Acts

• Commission or Conviction
• Felony or Misdemeanor
• DUI/BUI
• Verdict of Guilt, Plea of Guilty, or Plea of Nolo
  Contendere
• First Offender Status

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Standard 2Abuse of Students

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

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Unethical ConductAbuse of Students

• Child Abuse
• Cruelty to Children
• Child Endangerment
• Unlawful Sex Acts
• Sexual Harassment
• Romantic or Inappropriate Relationship
• Alcohol or Illegal/Unauthorized Drugs

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Standard 3Alcohol or Drugs

• An educator should refrain from the abuse of
  alcohol or drugs during the course of
  professional practice.

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Unethical ConductAlcohol or Drugs

• On School Premises or at a School-Sponsored
  Activity
• Illegal or Unauthorized Drugs
• Alcohol

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Standard 4Misrepresentation or Falsification

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

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Unethical ConductMisrepresentation or
Falsification

• Professional Qualifications
• Compliance Reports
• Evaluation of Students or Personnel
• Administration of Standardized Tests
• Absences or Leaves
• Official Inquiry/Investigation

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Standard 5Public Funds and Property

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

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Unethical ConductPublic Funds and Property

• Misusing Public or School-Related Funds or
  Property
• Failing to Account for Funds Collected from
  Students or Parents
• Submitting Fraudulent Requests for Reimbursement
  of Expenses or for Pay

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Standard 6Improper Remunerative Conduct

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

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Unethical ConductImproper Remunerative Conduct

• Soliciting Students or Parents to Purchase
  Equipment, Supplies, or Services
• Accepting Gifts from Vendors or Potential Vendors
• Tutoring Students

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Standard 7Confidential Information

• An educator should comply with state and
  federal laws and school board policies relating
  to the confidentiality of student records, unless
  disclosure is required or permitted by law.

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Unethical ConductConfidential Information

• Sharing of Confidential Information Concerning
  Student Academic and Disciplinary Records,
  Personal Confidences, Health and Medical
  Information, Family Status and/or Income, and
  Assessment/Testing Results

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Standard 8Abandonment of Contract

• An educator should 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.

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Unethical ConductAbandonment of Contract

• Abandoning the Contract Without the Prior Release
  by the Employer
• Willfully Refusing to Perform the Services
  Required by a Contract

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Standard 9Failure to Make a Required Report

• An educator should 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.

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Unethical ConductFailure to Make a Required
Report

• Breach of One or More of the Standards in the
  Code of Ethics
• Child Abuse (O.C.G.A. 19-7-5)
• Any Other Required Report

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Standard 10Professional Conduct

• An educator should demonstrate conduct that
  follows generally recognized professional
  standards.

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Unethical ConductProfessional Conduct

• Conduct that Seriously Impairs the Certificate
  Holders Ability to Function Professionally in
  His or Her Employment Position or Conduct that is
  Detrimental to the Health, Welfare, Discipline,
  or Morals of Students

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Reporting

• Breach of One or More of the Standards in the
  Code of Ethics
• Local Policies and Procedures
• Chain of Command
• Complaints to the PSC Must Be Written and Signed

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Reasons for Disciplinary Action

• Breach of One or More of the Standards in the
  Code of Ethics
• Disciplinary Action in Another State
• Non-Payment of Child Support
• Non-Payment of Student Loans
• Violation of Laws and Rules of the Profession
• Any Other Good and Sufficient Cause

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Disciplinary Sanctions

• Revocation
• Denial
• Suspension
• Reprimand
• Warning
• Monitoring

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Notification

• Local - Educators Employer
• State - Superintendents, Personnel Directors,
  RESA Directors, Deans and Certification Officials
  of Georgia Colleges
• National - National Association of State
  Directors of Teacher Education and Certification
  (NASDTEC)

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What will the newCode of Ethics meanto Georgia
studentsand educators?
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Contact Information

• Building 20, Suite 2010, Executive Park West, NE,
  Atlanta, GA 30029
• Telephone - [phone]
• Toll Free - [phone]
• FAX - [phone]
• Website - www.gapsc.com
• E-Mail - pps_at_gapsc.com