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Adopted Policy
Bethelites Academy 3401 NW 213 Terrace Miami Gardens, Fl 33056
STANDARDS OF ETHICAL CONDUCT FOR PERSONNEL AND ADMINISTRATORS
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Our school values the worth and dignity of every person, the pursuit of truth, devotion to excellence, acquisition of knowledge and the nurture of democratic citizenship. Essential to the achievement of thesis standards are the freedom to learn and teach and the guarantee of equal opportunity for all. Our primary concern is the student and the development of the student’s potential. Employees will therefore strive fro professional growth and will seek to exercise the best professional judgment and integrity. Concern for the student requires that our instructional personnel and school administrators:
a. Shall make reasonable effort to protect the student from conditions harmful to learning and/or to the student’s mental and/or physical health and/or safety.
b. Shall not unreasonably deny a student access to diverse points of view.
c. Shall not unreasonably restrain a student from independent action in pursuit of learning.
d. Shall not intentionally suppress or distort subject matter relevant to a students academic program.
e. Shall not intentionally expose a student to unnecessary embarrassment or disparagement.
f. Shall not intentionally violate or deny a student’s legal rights.
g. Shall not harass or discriminate against any student on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national or ethnic origin, political beliefs, marital status, handicapping condition, sexual orientation or social and family background and shall make reasonable effort to assure that each student is protected from harassment or discrimination.
h. Shall not exploit a relationship with a student for personal gain or advantage.
i. Shall keep in confidence personally identifiable information obtained in the course of professional service, unless disclosure serves professional purposes or is required by law.
4. Aware of the importance of maintaining the respect and confidence of colleagues, of students, of parents and the community, employees of our school must display the highest degree of ethical conduct. This commitment requires that our employees:
a. Shall maintain honesty in all professional dealings.
b. Shall not on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national or ethic origin, political beliefs, marital status, handicapping condition if otherwise qualified, or social and family background deny to a colleague professional benefits or advantages or participation in any professional organization.
c. Shall not interfere with a colleague’s exercise of political or civil rights and responsibilities.
d. Shall not engage in harassment or discriminatory conduct which unreasonably interferes with an individual’s performance of professional or work responsibilities with the orderly processes of education or which creates a hostile, intimidating, abusive, offensive, or oppressive environment; and further, shall make reasonable effort to assure that each individual is protected from such harassment or discrimination.
e. Shall not make malicious or intentionally false statements about a colleague.
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TRAINING REQUIREMENTS
All instructional personnel and administrators are required as a condition of employment to complete training on theses standards of ethical conduct.
REPORTING MISCONDUCT BY INSTRUCTIONAL PERSONNEL AND ADMINISTRATORS
All employees and administrators have an obligation to report misconduct by instructional personnel and school administrators which affects the health, safety or welfare of a student. Examples of misconduct include obscene language, drug and alcohol use, disparaging comments, prejudice or bigotry, sexual innuendo, cheating or testing violations, physical aggression and accepting or offering favors. Reports of misconduct of employees should be made to the principal of Bethelites Academy. Legally sufficient allegations of misconduct by Florida certified educators will be reported to the Office of Professional Practices Services.
Policies and procedures for reporting misconduct by instructional personnel and administrators which affects the health, safety, or welfare of a student are posted in office and classrooms.
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REPORTING CHILD ABUSE, ABANDONMENT OR NEGLECT
All employees and agents have an affirmative duty to report all actual or suspected cases of child abuse, abandonment, or neglect. Call 1.800.96.ABUSE or report online at: http://www.dcf.state.fl.us/abuse/report/ Section 1006.061(1), Florida Statutes, requires each district school, charter school and private school that accepts scholarship students under ss. 220.187 or 1002.39, Florida
Statutes, to post in a prominent place a notice that pursuant to chapter 39 all employees and agents of the district school board, charter school or private school have an affirmative duty to report all actual or suspected cases of child abuse, abandonment, or neglect. Section 1006.061(2), Florida Statutes, requires each district school, charter school and private school that accepts scholarship students to post at the school site and on the schools’ internet site (if available) the policies and procedures for reporting alleged misconduct by instructional personnel or school administrators which affects the health, safety or welfare of a student. The notices must include the contact person to whom the report is made and the penalties imposed on those instructional personnel or school administrators who fail to report suspected child abuse or misconduct by other instructional personnel or school administrators. Section 1006.061, Florida Statutes, requires the Department to provide sample notices suitable for posting. The attached posters are provided as samples for district schools, charter schools and private schools that accept scholarship students under ss. 220.187 or 1002.39, Florida Statutes. The sample posters may be printed and used as is, may be used in a modified form, or may be used as inspiration to develop a unique poster. Each school or district may also develop its own poster that suits the needs of the school or district as desired.
Signs of Physical Abuse
The child may have unexplained bruises, welts, cuts, or other injuries; broken bones; or burns. A child experiencing physical abuse may seem withdrawn or depressed, seem afraid to go home or may run away, shy away from physical contact, be aggressive, or wear
inappropriate clothing to hide injuries.
Signs of Sexual Abuse
The child may have torn, stained or bloody underwear, trouble walking or sitting, pain or itching in genital area, or a sexually transmitted disease. A child experiencing sexual abuse may have unusual knowledge of sex or act seductively, fear a particular person, seem withdrawn or depressed, gain or lose weight suddenly, shy away from physical contact, or run away from home.
Signs of Neglect
The child may have unattended medical needs, little or no supervision at home, poor hygiene, or appear underweight. A child experiencing neglect may be frequently tired or hungry, steal food, or appear overly needy for adult attention.
Patterns of Abuse:
Serious abuse usually involves a combination of factors. While a single sign may not be significant, a pattern of physical or behavioral signs is a serious indicator and should be reported.
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LIABILITY PROTECTIONS
Any person, official, or institution participating in good faith in any act authorized or required by law, or reporting in good faith any instance of child abuse, abandonment, or neglect to the department or any law enforcement agency, shall be immune from any civil or criminal liability which might otherwise result by reason of such action. (F.S. 39.203) An employer who discloses information about a former or current employee to a prospective employer of the former or current employee upon request of the prospective employer or of the former or current employee is immune from civil liability for such disclosure or its consequences unless it is shown by clear and convincing evidence that the information disclosed by the former or current employer was knowingly false or violated any civil right of the former or current employee protected under F.S. Chapter 760. (F.S. 768.095)
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The following disciplinary rule shall constitute the Principles of Professional Conduct for the Education Profession in Florida.
2. Violation of any of these principles shall subject the individual to revocation or suspension of the individual educator's certificate, or the other penalties as provided by law.
3. Obligation to the student requires that the individual:
a. Shall make reasonable effort to protect the student from conditions harmful to learning and/or to the student's mental and/or physical health and/or safety.
b. Shall not unreasonably restrain a student from independent action in pursuit of learning.
c. Shall not unreasonably deny a student access to diverse points of view.
d. Shall not intentionally suppress or distort subject matter relevant to a student's academic program.
e. Shall not intentionally expose a student to unnecessary embarrassment or disparagement.
f. Shall not intentionally violate or deny a student's legal rights.
g. Shall not harass or discriminate against any student on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national or ethnic origin, political beliefs, marital status, handicapping condition, sexual orientation, or social and family background and shall make reasonable effort to assure that each student is protected from harassment or discrimination.
h. Shall not exploit a relationship with a student for personal gain or advantage.
i. Shall keep in confidence personally identifiable information obtained in the course of professional service, unless disclosure serves professional purposes or is required by
law.
4. Obligation to the public requires that the individual:
a. Shall take reasonable precautions to distinguish between personal views and those of any educational institution or organization with which the individual is affiliated.
b. Shall not intentionally distort or misrepresent facts concerning an educational matter in direct or indirect public expression.
c. Shall not use institutional privileges for personal gain or advantage.
d. Shall accept no gratuity, gift, or favor that might influence professional judgment.
e. Shall offer no gratuity, gift, or favor to obtain special advantages.
5. Obligation to the profession of education requires that the individual:
a. Shall maintain honesty in all professional dealings.
b. Shall not on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national or ethnic origin, political beliefs, marital status, handicapping condition if otherwise qualified, or social and family background deny to a colleague professional benefits or advantages or participation in any professional organization.
c. Shall not interfere with a colleagues exercise of political or civil rights and responsibilities.
d. Shall not engage in harassment or discriminatory conduct which unreasonably interferes with an individuals performance of professional or work responsibilities or with the orderly processes of education or which creates a hostile, intimidating, abusive, offensive, or oppressive environment; and, further, shall make reasonable effort to assure that each individual is protected from such harassment or discrimination.
e. Shall not make malicious or intentionally false statements about a colleague.
f. Shall not use coercive means or promise special treatment to influence professional judgments of colleagues.
g. Shall not misrepresent one's own professional qualifications.
h. Shall not submit fraudulent information on any document in connection with professional activities.
i. Shall not make any fraudulent statement or fail to disclose a material fact in ones own or anothers application for a professional position.
j. Shall not withhold information regarding a position from an applicant or misrepresent an assignment or conditions of employment.
k. Shall provide upon the request of the certificated individual a written statement of specific
reason for recommendations that lead to the denial of increments, significant changes in employment, or termination of employment.
l. Shall not assist entry into or continuance in the profession of any person known to be unqualified in accordance with these Principles of Professional Conduct for the Education Profession in Florida and other applicable Florida Statutes and State Board of Education Rules.
m. Shall self-report within forty-eight (48) hours to appropriate authorities (as determined by district) any arrests/charges involving the abuse of a child or the sale and/or possession of a controlled substance. Such notice shall not be considered an admission of guilt nor shall such notice be admissible for any purpose in any proceeding, civil or criminal, administrative or judicial, investigatory or adjudicatory. In addition, shall self-report any conviction, finding of guilt, withholding of adjudication, commitment to a pretrial diversion program, or entering of a plea of guilty or Nolo Contendre for any criminal offense other than a minor traffic violation within forty-eight (48) hours after the final judgment. When handling sealed and expunged records disclosed under this rule, school districts shall comply with the confidentiality provisions of Sections 943.0585(4)(c) and 943.059(4)(c), Florida Statutes.
n. Shall report to appropriate authorities any known allegation of a violation of the Florida School Code or State Board of Education Rules as defined in Section 1012.795(1), Florida Statutes.
o. Shall seek no reprisal against any individual who has reported any allegation of a violation of the Florida School Code or State Board of Education Rules as defined in
Section1012.795(1), Florida Statutes.
p. Shall comply with the conditions of an order of the Education Practices Commission.
q. Shall, as the supervising administrator, cooperate with the Education Practices Commission in monitoring the probation of a subordinate. Rulemaking Authority 1001.02, 1012.51, 1012.53 FS. Law Implemented 1012.32, 1012.34, 1012.51, 1012.53, 1012.795, 1012.796 FS. History-New 7-6-82, Amended 12-20-83, Formerly 6B-1.06, Amended 8-10-92, 12-29-98, Formerly 6B-1.006.
GUIDELINES AND COMMON SENSE
Code of Ethics mandates you to value the worth and dignity of individuals, to place your primary concern for the development of each student’s potential, and to strive to achieve and sustain the highest degree of ethical conduct. Principles of Professional Conduct obligate you to perform to standards of behavior dealing with STUDENTS, THE PUBLIC, and the PROFESSION.
In addition to the more obvious actions, (e.g. child abuse/molestation), you can also be charged with crime of moral turpitude or gross immorality if you shoplift, drink on school grounds or have multiple arrests for DUI, possess or sell drugs with or without student
involvement, make comments of a sexual nature to students, fondle or touch students in an inappropriate manner, commit food stamp or public assistance fraud, commit assault, misuse school funds, or submit fraudulent transcripts. These are just a few examples. As you can see, you are held to a higher moral standard than other professionals because of your role in educating children. You are held accountable for your private life as well as your public life. Keep in mind that relatively few educators ever commit violations. It is best to arm yourself with knowledge so that you do not advertently or inadvertently violate any standards and become one of the statistics. Many problems educators have encountered could have been avoided if they used some
common sense and rational judgment.
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HOW TO USE COMMON SENSE AND PROFESSIONAL JUDGMENT TO AVOID LEGAL COMPLICATIONS IN TEACHING
A. Interaction with Students
1. Maintain a professional barrier between you and students. You are the adult, the teacher and the professional; act like the expert not like another one of the “kids.”
2. Keep the classroom door open when talking with students.
3. Refer students to the appropriate resource person for counseling and/or discussions about personal matters.
4. Do NOT flirt with students.
5. Do NOT discuss your personal life or personal matters with students. Do NOT discuss your husband, wife, girlfriend, boyfriend, or dates with students.
6. When transporting students, coordinate transportation ahead of time, and use school or mass transportation if possible. If necessary, call a taxi for the student. If you must transport a student in your vehicle, ask a co-worker to accompany you.
7. Avoid leaving your students unsupervised; have an alternate plan of action.
8. Keep your hands and other parts of your body to yourself.
9. Use verbal praise and reinforcement.
10.Know your school policies and district and state laws governing corporal punishment. Establish and follow a consistent behavior plan. Treat each student with respect. Know the students’ rights.
11. Chaperon only school-sponsored functions. Do NOT socialize with students. If you chaperon a field trip, put in writing what your responsibilities will be. Do NOT drink alcoholic beverages in front of students, or while chaperoning students. Do NOT take children home with you.
12.Do NOT make telephone calls, write emails, or write notes of a personal nature to students.
13. Do not harass students; respect their differences. What you intend as humor, may in fact, be cultural bias or harassment.
B. Record Keeping and Accounting Procedures
1. Know the laws, school board policies, and school rules and follow them. Know your rights.
2. Know your school policies and district and state laws regarding collecting money, purchasing materials and equipment, and follow them. Be sure to follow the bookkeeper’s guidelines. Work in pairs when collecting large amounts of money.
3. Establish a policy regarding your grading system consistent with school and district policies, where applicable. Give a written explanation of it to students and parents at the beginning of the year or when they begin your class or unit of instruction.
4. Establish a policy regarding your behavioral management system. Give a written explanation of it to students and parents at the beginning of the year or when they begin your class unit of instruction.
C. Reputation in the Community
1. Keep your co-workers and supervisors informed; work and communicate as a team; plan and teach together.
2. Communicate with parents and document your communication.
3. Dress and act appropriately and professionally. You are a role model in the community as well as in the school; be a good example for students.
4. Use common sense and good judgment. Ask yourself how someone else could perceive your comments or actions. Ask yourself if your comments or actions could be taken out of context and / or misinterpreted.
5. Avoid putting yourself in a position where you have to defend, explain, or justify your behavior or actions. Avoid putting yourself in a position where it’s your work against another person’s word.
6. Maintain a professional reputation in the community. When you “”party” be discreet.
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