4118.22 - Code of Ethics

Personnel -- Certified

4118.22 - Code of Ethics

Certified staff should be mature, well-balanced, and should observe professional ethics and cooperate with and support the administration. It is expected that certified staff members demonstrate knowledge of and comply with the Connecticut Code of Professional Responsibility for Teachers. Certified staff are also bound to the Code of Ethics in their respective areas of discipline. The Board of Education accepts as a guide for certified staff the Connecticut Education Association Code of Ethics.

Legal Reference:

Connecticut Education Association Code of Ethics

Connecticut Code of Professional Responsibility for Teachers

Regulation of Connecticut State Agencies

Section 10-145d-4001

Policy Adopted: October 2018

R4118.22 – Code of Ethics

Preamble

The Code of Professional Responsibility for Teachers is a set of principles which the teaching profession expects its members to honor and follow. These principles set forth, on behalf of the teaching profession and the public it serves, standards to guide conduct and the judicious appraisal of conduct in situations that have professional and ethical implications. The Code adheres to the fundamental belief that the student is the foremost reason for the existence of the profession.

The teaching profession is vested by the public with a trust and responsibility requiring the highest ideals of professionalism. Therefore, the teacher accepts both the public trust and the responsibilities to practice the profession according to the highest possible degree of ethical conduct and standards. Such responsibilities include the commitment to the students, the teaching profession, and the community.

Consistent with applicable laws, the Code of Professional Responsibility for Teachers shall serve as a basis for decisions on issues pertaining to licensure and employment. It shall apply to all teachers licensed by or individuals seeking licensure from the State of Connecticut. For the purposes of this section, “teacher” means a person who is applying for, who holds or who is employed under a teaching certificate, or other equivalent certificate, issued by the State Board of Education.

Responsibility to the Student:

1. The professional teachers, in full recognition of his or her obligation to the student, shall:

a. Recognize, respect and uphold the dignity and worth of students as individual human beings, and, therefore, deal justly and considerately with students.

b. Engage students in the pursuit of truth, knowledge and wisdom and provide access to all pints of view without deliberate distortion of subject manner;

c. Nurture in students lifelong respect and compassion for themselves and other human beings regardless of race, ethnic origin, gender, social class, disability, religion, or sexual orientation.

d. Foster in students the full understanding, application and preservation of democratic principles and processes;

e. Guide students to acquire the requisite skills and understanding for participatory citizenship and to realize their obligation to be worthy and contributing members of society;

f. Assist students in the formulation of value systems and worthy, positive goals

g. Promote the right and freedom of students to learn, explore ideas, develop learning skills and acquire the necessary knowledge to achieve their fullest potential;

h. Strive to develop within students, fundamental critical thinking and problem-solving skills and problem-solving techniques;

i. Remain steadfast in guaranteeing equal opportunity for quality education for all children, and not unlawfully discriminate; and

j. Maintain the confidentiality of all information concerning students obtained in the proper course of the educational process, and dispense such information only when prescribed or directed by federal or state law or professional practice.

2. The Professional teacher, in full recognition of his or her obligation to the student, shall not:

a. Abuse his or her position as a professional with students for private advantage;

b. Sexually or physically harass or abuse students;

c. Emotionally abuse students; or

d. Engage in any misconduct which would put students at risk,

Responsibility to the Profession:

1. The professional teacher, in full recognition of his or her obligation to the profession of teaching, shall:

a. Conduct himself or herself as a professional realizing that his or her action reflects directly upon the status and substance of the profession;

b. Uphold the professional teacher’s right to teach effectively;

c. Uphold the principle of academic freedom;

d. Strive to exercise the highest level of professional judgment;

e. Assume responsibility for his or her professional development;

f. Encourage the participation of teachers in the process of educational decision-making;

g. Promote the employment of only qualified and fully licensed teachers;

h. Encourage promising, qualified and competent individuals to enter the profession;

i. Decline any gratuity, gift or favor that would impair or influence professional decisions or actions; and

j. Maintain the confidentiality of all information concerning colleagues obtained in the proper course of the educational process, and dispense such information only when prescribed or directed by federal or state law or professional practice.

2. The professional teacher, in full recognition of his or her obligation to the profession of teaching, shall not:

a. Obtain licensure or employment by misrepresentation or fraud;

b. Misrepresent his, her or another’s professional qualifications or competencies; or

c. Engage in any misconduct which would impair his or her ability to teach.

Responsibility to the Community

1. The professional teacher, in full recognition of the public trust vested in the teaching profession, shall:

a. Be cognizant of the influence of teachers upon the community-at-large, and therefore, shall not knowingly misrepresent facts or make false statements;

b. Encourage the community to exercise its responsibility to be involved in the formulation of educational policy;

c. Promote the principles and ideals of democratic citizenship; and

d. Endeavor to secure equal educational opportunities for all children.

2. The professional teacher, in full recognition of the public trust vested in the teaching profession, shall not:

a. Exploit the educational institution for personal gain; or

b. Be convicted in a court of law of a crime involving moral turpitude or of any crime of such nature that violates such public trust.

Personnel -- Certified

Code of Ethics of the Education Profession

The educator believes in the worth and dignity of man. He/She recognizes the supreme importance of the pursuit of truth, devotion to excellence, and the nurture of democratic citizenship. He/She regards as essential to these goals the protection of educational opportunity for all. The educator accepts his/her responsibility to practice his/her profession according to the highest ethical standards.

The educator recognizes the magnitude of the responsibility he/she has accepted in choosing a career in education, and engages himself/herself, individually and collectively with other educators, to judge his/her colleagues, and to be judged by them, in accordance with the provisions of this Code.

PRINCIPLE I - Commitment to the Student

The educator measures his/her success by the progress of each student toward the realization of his/her potential as a worthy and effective citizen. The educator, therefore, works to stimulate the spirit of inquiry, the acquisition of knowledge and understanding, and the thoughtful formulation of worthy goals. In fulfilling his/her obligation to the student, the educator:

1. Shall not, without just cause, restrain the student from independent action in his/her pursuit of learning, and shall not, without just cause, deny the student access to varying points of view.

2. Shall not deliberately suppress or distort subject matter for which he/she bears responsibility.

3. Shall make reasonable efforts to protect the student from conditions harmful to learning or to health and safety.

4. Shall conduct professional business in such a way that he/she does not expose the student to unnecessary embarrassment or disparagement.

5. Shall not, on the ground of race, color, creed or national origin, exclude any student from participation or deny him/her benefits under any program, nor grant any discriminatory consideration or advantage.

6. Shall not use professional relationships with students for private advantage.

7. Shall keep in confidence information that has been obtained in the course of professional service, unless disclosure serves professional purposes or is required by law.

8. Shall not tutor for remuneration students assigned to his/her classes, unless no other qualified teacher is reasonably available.

PRINCIPLE II - Commitment to the Public

The educator believes that patriotism in its highest form requires dedication to the principles of our democratic heritage. He/She shares with all other citizens the responsibility for the development of sound public policy and assumes full political and citizenship responsibilities. The educator bears particular responsibility for the development of policy relating to the extension of educational opportunities for all and for interpreting educational programs and policies to the public. In fulfilling his/her obligation to the public, the educator:

1. Shall not misrepresent an institution or organization with which he/she is affiliated, and shall take adequate precautions to distinguish between his/her personal and institutional or organizational views.

2. Shall not knowingly distort or misrepresent the facts concerning educational matters in direct and indirect public expressions.

3. Shall not interfere with a colleague’s exercise of political and citizenship rights and responsibilities.

4. Shall not use institutional privileges for private gain or to promote political candidates or partisan political activities.

5. Shall accept no gratuities, gifts, or favors that might impair or appear to impair professional judgment, not offer any favor, service, or thing of value to obtain special advantage.

PRINCIPLE III - Commitment to the Profession

The educator believes that the quality of the services of the education profession directly influences the nation and its citizens. He/She, therefore, exerts every effort to raise professional standards, to improve his/her service, to promote a climate in which the exercise of professional judgment is encouraged, and to achieve conditions which attract persons worthy of the trust to careers in education. Aware of the value of united effort, he/she contributes actively to the support, planning, and programs of professional organizations. In fulfilling his/her obligation to the profession, the educator:

1. Shall not discriminate on the ground of race, color, creed, or national origin for membership in professional organizations, nor interfere with the free participation of colleagues in the affairs of the association.

2. Shall accord just and equitable treatment to all members of the profession in the exercise of their professional rights and responsibilities.

3. Shall not use coercive means or promise special treatment in order to influence professional decisions of colleagues.

4. Shall withhold and safeguard information acquired about colleagues in the course of employment, unless disclosure serves professional purposes.

5. Shall not refuse to participate in a professional inquiry, when requested by an appropriate professional association.

6. Shall provide, upon the request of the aggrieved party, a written statement of specific reasons for recommendations that lead to the denial of increments, significant changes in employment, or termination of employment.

7. Shall not misrepresent his/her professional qualifications.

8. Shall not knowingly distort evaluations of colleagues.

PRINCIPLE IV - Commitment to Professional Employment Practices

The educator regards the employment agreement as a pledge to be executed both in spirit and in fact, in a manner consistent with the highest ideals of professional service. He/she believes that sound professional personnel relationships with governing boards are built upon personal integrity, dignity and mutual respect. The educator discourages the practice of his/her profession by unqualified persons. In fulfilling his obligation to professional employment practices, the educator:

1. Shall apply for, accept, offer, or assign a position or responsibility on the basis of professional preparation and legal qualifications.

2. Shall apply for a specific position only when it is known to be vacant, and shall refrain from underbidding or commenting adversely about other candidates.

3. Shall not knowingly withhold information regarding a position from an applicant or misrepresent an assignment or conditions of employment.

4. Shall give prompt notice to the employing agency of any change in availability of service, and the employing agent shall give prompt notice of change in availability or nature of a position.

5. Shall not accept a position when so requested by the appropriate professional organization.

6. Shall adhere to the terms of a contract or appointment, unless these terms have been legally terminated, falsely represented, or substantially altered by unilateral action of the employing agency.

7. Shall conduct professional business through channels, when available, that have been jointly approved by the professional organization and the employing agency.

8. Shall not delegate assigned tasks to unqualified personnel.

9. Shall permit no commercial exploitation of his/her professional position.

10. Shall use time granted for the purpose for which it is intended.

Regulation approved: