ETHICS IN EDUCATION2012-2013

THE I-SS WAYMission

Iredell-Statesville Schools will rigorously challenge all students to achieve their academic potential and to lead productive and rewarding lives. We will achieve this mission with the support of parents, staff, and the community.

VisionA school system committed to improving student learning by igniting a

passion for learning

• Student and Learning Focus• Motivated Faculty and Staff• Partnerships and Teamwork

• Continuous Improvement Focus• Management by Fact• Results Focus

Values

• High Ethical Standards

ETHICAL CONTEXTWhat you find is that the tough ethical choices are not always decisions between good and evil, but often between two goods: Truth versus Loyalty Individual versus Community Short-term versus Long-term Justice versus Mercy

CODE OF ETHICS FOR NC EDUCATORS

Commitment to the

Student

Commitment to the School

and School System

Commitment to the

Profession

COMMITMENT TO THE STUDENT• Protects students’ health and safety • Maintains appropriate relationships with students in all

settings• Evaluates students and assigns grades based upon

performance• Disciplines students, but does not deliberately embarrass or

humiliate• Confidentiality with information learned in professional

practice, unless in compliance with regulations or statutes• Refuses to accept significant gifts, favors, or compensation that

appears to influence professional decisions or actions

COMMITMENT TO THE SCHOOL/SCHOOL SYSTEM• Utilizes available resources to provide a classroom climate conducive to

learning • Acknowledges diverse views of students and stakeholders shaping

goals, policies, and decisions• Signs a contract in good faith and does not abandon • Actively participates in professional decision-making processes and

supports the expression of professional opinions by all• When acting in an administrative capacity:

– Acts fairly, consistently, and prudently in the exercise of authority– Evaluates the work of others using appropriate procedures and regulations– Protects the rights of others, and does not retaliate, coerce, or intentionally

intimidate others in the exercise of rights protected by law – Recommends persons for employment, promotion, or transfer based on

qualifications and the law

COMMITMENT TO THE PROFESSION• Provides accurate credentials and information regarding

licensure or employment and does not knowingly assist others in providing untruthful information

• Acts to remedy observed violations of the Code of Ethics and promotes understanding of the principles of professional conduct

• Pursues growth and development opportunities to improve the education, experiences, and performance of students and colleagues.

CODE OF ETHICS FOR NC EDUCATORS

The purpose of these rules is to establish and uphold uniform standards of professional conduct for licensed professional educators throughout the State. These rules shall be binding on every person licensed by the SBE, hereinafter referred to as "educator" or "professional educator," and the possible consequences of any willful breach shall include license suspension or revocation. The prohibition of certain conduct in these rules shall not be interpreted as approval of conduct not specifically cited.

16 NCAC 6C .0601Purpose and Applicability

STANDARDS OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT• Practice the standards of federal, state, and local governing bodies• Personal conduct – serve as positive role model for students, parents, and

the community• Honesty – no dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation with following: • Proper remunerative conduct – no solicitation of current students or parents

to purchase equipment, supplies, or services from the educator in private capacity.

• Conduct with students – treat all students with respect; the educator shall not commit any abusive act or sexual exploitation with, to, or in the presence of a student

• Confidential information – keep in confidence personally identifiable information regarding students or their family members obtained, unless disclosure is required or permitted by law or necessary for the personal safety of others

STANDARDS OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT• Rights of others – shall not willfully or maliciously violate the constitutional

or civil rights of a student, parent/legal guardian, or colleague. • Required reports – shall make all reports required by NC General Statutes. • Alcohol or controlled substance abuse - shall not be under the influence of,

possess, use, or consume alcohol or controlled substance (without authorized prescriptive use) on school premises or at a school-sponsored activity; or furnish alcohol or a controlled substance to any student except as indicated in the professional duties of administering legally prescribed medications

• Compliance with criminal laws• Public funds and property• Scope of professional practice – shall not perform any act as an employee in

a position for which licensure is required during any period of suspension or revocation

• Conduct related to ethical violations

NC TEACHER EVALUATION - STANDARD 1Teachers Demonstrate Leadership

e. Teachers demonstrate high ethical standards. Teachers demonstrate ethical principles including honesty, integrity, fair treatment and respect for others. Teachers uphold the Code of Ethics for North Carolina Educators (effective June 1, 1997) and the Standards for Professional Conduct adopted April 1, 1998. (www.ncptsc.org)

Developing

Understands the importance of ethical behavior as outlined in the Code of Ethics for North Carolina Educators and the Standards for Professional Conduct.

Proficient…andDemonstrates ethical behavior through adherence to the Code of Ethics for North Carolina Educators and the Standards for Professional Conduct.

Accomplished…andKnows and upholds the Code of Ethics for North Carolina Educators and the Standards for Professional Conduct.

Distinguished…andModels the tenets of the Code of Ethics for North Carolina Educators and the Standards for Professional Conduct and encourages others to do the same.

Local Policies• 7240 – Drug and Alcohol Free Workplace• 1710/4021/7230 – Prohibition against

Discrimination, Harassment and Bullying• 1720/4015/7225 – Discrimination,

Harassment and Bullying Complaint Procedure

• 1735/5025/7235 – Harassment Defined• 1736/4026/7236 – Sexual Harassment

Defined• 1755/7237 – Sexual Harassment

Complaint Procedure for Employees• 1730/4022/7231 – Nondiscrimination

on the basis of Disabilities

• 4040/7310 – Staff-Student Relations

• 1740/4010 – Student and Parent Grievance Procedure

• 1742/5060 – Responding to Complaints• 1750/7220 – Grievance Procedure for

Employees• 1800 – Stewardship of Resources• 7335 – Employee Use of Social Media• 4700 – Student Records• 5070/7350 – Public Records• 7820 – Personnel Files• 7730 – Employee Conflict of Interest

Drug-Free and Alcohol Free Workplace (Policy 7240) • Prohibits the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensing, possession, or use of any

of the following:• Narcotic Drug• Hallucinogenics • Amphetamine• Barbiturate• Marijuana

• Anabolic Steroids• Alcohol• Stimulants• Synthetic Cannabinoids• Counterfeit Substances

• Designer Drugs (i.e. ecstasy or ice)

• Any other controlled substance

• Prohibits impairment by prescriptive or non-prescriptive drugs• Prohibits use or influence of alcohol while acting• Governs each employee

• before, during or after school hours while on property owned or leased by the BOE• at anytime acting in the course and scope of I-SS• at any time the violation of policy has a direct & adverse effect upon performance

• Must notify his or her supervisor in writing of any conviction no later than 5 calendar days after such conviction, be subject to disciplinary action

• Subjected to a test for the use of alcohol or controlled substances when reasonable grounds exist to suspect violation

Discrimination, Harassment and BullyingProhibition Against

(Policy 1710/4021/7230)• Prohibits discrimination on the basis of

race, color, national origin, sex, disability or age

• Applies to students, school system employees, volunteers and visitors

• Prohibits reprisal or retaliation against and person– Reporting or intending to report– Supporting someone for reporting

or intending to report a violation– Participating in investigation of

reported violations• Employees are required to report

any actual or suspected violations

Complaint Procedure(Policy 1720/4015/7225)

• File a complaint no later than 30 days after disclosure or discovery

• Informal Process must include the following: – (1) notify the complainant that he

or she has the option to request formal procedures at any time

– (2) make a copy of relevant policies available to the complainant

• Formal Process includes designated investigator, timeline, written report and an appeal process

DefinitionsHarassment Defined

(Policy 1735/5025/7235)• Unwanted, unwelcomed and uninvited

behavior that demeans, threatens or offends the victim and results in a hostile environment for the victim

• Epithets, derogatory comments or slurs and lewd propositions, assault, impeding or blocking movement, offensive touching or any physical interference with normal work or movement, and visual insults, such as derogatory posters or cartoons or technology generated visuals. Legitimate age-appropriate pedagogical techniques are not considered harassing behavior

• Various Levels

Sexual Harassment Defined (Policy 1736/4026/7236)

• Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature constitute sexual harassment– Explicit or Implicit– Term or condition of employment,

academic progress, or completion of a school-related activity

• used in evaluating the individual's performance within a course of study or other school-related activity

• severe, persistent or pervasive enough to unreasonably interfere with work or student performance

• Various Levels

Sexual Harassment Complaint Procedure for Employees (Policy 1755/7237)

• Informal Resolution• Reporting Complaint (30 days)• Investigation• Investigation Report (written)• Appeal (5 days)

– Superintendent– BOE

• Maintenance of Records

Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disabilities (Policy 1730/4022/7231 )

• I-SS will not discriminate against qualified persons with disabilities on the basis of a disability

• Includes, but is not limited to, benefits of and participation in system programs and activities

• Provides aids, benefits and school services to a person with disabilities in the most integrated school setting appropriate to his or her needs so that he or she may have an opportunity commensurate to that provided to persons without disabilities to obtain the same results, gain the same benefit or reach the same level of achievement

Staff-Student RelationsStaff-Student Relations

(Policy 4040/7310)• Professional relationships:

role model• Prohibited from dating,

courting or entering into a romantic or sexual relationship without being subject to disciplinary action

• Employees required to report or be subject to disciplinary action

Student/Parent Grievance Proc.(Policy 1740/4010)

• Report grievance• Investigation (5 days)• Response by principal• Response by superintendent• Appeal to the Board

– Mandatory Appeal• Alleged violation of policy

– Discretionary Appeal• No alleged violation of policy

Complaints and Employee GrievanceResponding to Complaints

(Policy 1742/5060)• Complaints not specifically

addressed by policy should be handled in the following manner:– Complaint reported at the

lowest level– BOE initially redirects to the

lowest level– If not satisfied with the

decision, it can be appealed to the next level

– Prompt handling and response

Grievance Procedure - Employees (Policy 1750/7220)

• Informal resolution• Report grievance• Investigation (5 days)• Response by official – Level 1• Response by superintendent

– Level 2• Appeal to the Board – Level 3

– Mandatory Appeal– Discretionary Appeal

Stewardship of Resources (Policy 1800)

• A system of excellent schools conserves financial and environmental resources and operates in an efficient manner.

Employee Use of Social Media (Policy 7335)• Social Media Involving Students

– Maintenance of professional relationships– Access to students via electronic communications must be school-related (unless otherwise

outlined in policy – i.e. family)– Prohibited from communicating via personal social network

• Employee Use of Social Media– Responsible for impact of public conduct on professional image – standards remain during

personal time– Interference with professional ability subject to disciplinary action– Prohibiting from accessing social networking sites for personal use during instructional time or

with I-SS resources • Posting to Social Media Sites

– Remain aware of posted content on social networking sites accessible to students, parents and community

– Observe principles outlined in BOE policy when posting• Consequences

– Online activities will be monitored– Conduct periodic public internet searches for potential violations– Subject to disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal

RecordsStudent Records (Policy 4700)

• Annual Notification of Rights• Review & Release to Parent, Guardian

or Eligible Student• Release of Records to Others• Surveys, Evaluation• Use of Legal Name• FERPA – Federal Education Rights

Protection Act

Public Records (Policy 5070/7350)• Name• Age• Date of original employment• Terms of any past or current contract• Current position, title, salary• Date and amount of each increase• Date and type of each promotion,

demotion transfer, suspension, separation or other change in position

• Date and general description of the reasons for each promotion

• Date and type of each dismissal, suspension or demotion for disciplinary reasons and a copy of any written notices

• Location of current station

Employee Conflict of Interest (Policy 7730)• Financial Interests - An employee shall not do any of the following:

– Obtain direct benefit from a contract that they were involved in making or administering for the BOE

– Influence or attempt to influence anyone who is involved in making or administering a contract for the BOE

– Solicit or receive any gift, favor, reward, service or promise of reward, including a promise of future employment, in exchange for recommending, influencing or attempting to influence the award of a contract for the BOE

– Non-School employment shall not:• Adversely affect availability• Involve sources of information originating from any information obtained

through I-SS• Utilize I-SS materials and resources• Be conducted during school time or on school property

• Receipt of Gifts• Supervising Family Members

CASE STUDIESPlease reflect on the following based on your review of policies

This evening a service oriented teacher decides not to respond to their student’s text messages as they normally

do. Instead they decide to use their smart phone to browse the web. Is their an infraction of the Code of

Ethics or BOE policy?

Cas

e S

tud

y#1

Answer:One should first determine the nature of the text messages. If the teacher has never communicated with the student before via text message and it is their personal phone, this could be an appropriate action if they follow up with the student the following day to address the need. Communication via personal devices (Social Media Policy) and the nature of the contact (Staff-Student Relations) could result both in a Code of Ethics (Commitment to the Student) and BOE policy violation.

#2While waiting to pay for your produce at the market a

fellow teacher comes up to you in line and says “You had Johnny Wildman last year, were you ever able to control his behavior or get a lick of work out of him?” Is there an

infraction of the Code of Ethics or BOE policy?

Cas

e S

tud

y

Answer:This is clearly a violation of the Code of Ethics (Commitment to the Student). It is also a potential violation of BOE Policy (Student Records) and an obvious violation of student confidentiality.

Peggy Johnson is a high school music teacher. One of her students, Brad Tucker, comes to class upset. In

comforting Brad, Ms. Johnson puts her arm around his shoulder. Is she in violation?

Cas

e S

tud

y#3

Answer:This alone is not a violation. There are, however, some important considerations. One should be the age of the student. Student contact looks very different depending on the grade level of the student. Another consideration is the response of the student. For example, if Ms. Johnson’s approach yields the student drawing into himself, she should note the behavior and not touch him. Student comfort is a positive behavior expected of adults, but one must be aware of the student’s response.

Ron Abbott is a middle school science teacher. When Gayle Evans, a student in his third-period class, doesn’t know the names of all of the planets, he states that she

is just as stupid as her older brother, who was in his class last school year. Is this a violation?

Cas

e S

tud

y#4

Answer:This is definitely a violation of the Code of Ethics (Commitment to the Student). This type of behavior also has the potential to be a BOE policy (Prohibition against Discrimination, Harassment and Bullying) violation.

Charlotte Ann Thompson, a licensed special education teacher, is currently unemployed. While working with her church youth group, she becomes sexually involved with a sixteen-year-old in the youth group. Is this a violation?

Cas

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tud

y#5

Answer:The behavior is clearly not only illegal, but a violation of the Code of Ethics. It should also be noted that while Ms. Thompson is currently unemployed, the school district(s) for which she was employed should exercise due diligence to determine if there was a potential violation while she was employed. This action would also clearly require reporting to the SBE.

Mr. Tony Farmer, a 3rd grade teacher, has a district-issued laptop. He doesn’t use it every day, but usually keeps it on the back seat of his car, which he doesn’t

always remember to lock. Is this a violation?

#6C

ase

Stu

dy

Answer:This is a violation of BOE policy (Stewardship of Resources). Depending on the information on the computer, this could also easily be a violation of student confidentiality and/or FERPA.

Brenda Rider is a sixth-grade teacher at Wood Glen Middle School. She really wants her students to score well

on the benchmark exams. Therefore, while she is proctoring her students, she frequently points to answers on their bubble sheets or gives them signals. Has Brenda

violated the Code of Ethics?

Cas

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tud

y#7

Answer:This is clearly a violation of the Code of Ethics. Providing the student answers in this manner is unethical and does not allow the student to show competency in assessed areas on the benchmark exams. It does not matter that the tests were benchmark exams versus state testing.

On Saturday night, Andrew Westwood, the high school football coach, takes his family out to the local pizza parlor for dinner. He orders a beer with his pizza. While in the restaurant, two of his students enter the pizza parlor and sit at a nearby table. Is Andrew’s drinking a beer with his

family violating the code of ethics?

Cas

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tud

y#8

Answer:This behavior alone is not a violation. However, if the students sit at the coach’s table, the context changes. If the behavior of the coach is uncontrolled and results in a scene, the context changes. It is also not model behavior that the coach would be consuming alcohol while representing the school (i.e. wearing school paraphernalia).

“The reputation of a thousand years is determined by the conduct of one hour.”

– Japanese proverb

Completion – Signature Page• Complete the Ethics Online Training Signature Page

to receive credit.

Ethics Online Training Signature Page

• Please also visit the I-SS Ethics Portal for additional information and resources.

I-SS Ethics Portal