Moral and Ethical Issues

Definitions

• Morals - concerned with principles of right and wrong or conforming to standards of behavior and character based on those principles

• Ethics - a set of moral principles or values

Teacher’s Moral Obligation

• First moral obligation is to provide excellent instruction

• Teachers with high level of moral professionalism have a deep obligation to help students learn

Demonstrate Moral Professionalism

• Coming to work regularly and on time

• Being well informed about subject matter

• Planning and conducting classes with care

• Regularly reviewing and updating instructional practices

Demonstrate Moral Professionalism

• Cooperating with, or if necessary, confronting parents of underachieving students

• Cooperating with colleagues and observing school policies so the whole institution works effectively

• Tactfully, but firmly, criticizing unsatisfactory school policies and proposing constructive improvement

Code of Ethics of the Education Profession (NEA)

• The educator, believing in the worth and dignity of each human being, recognizes the supreme importance of the pursuit of truth, devotion to excellence, and the nurture of the democratic principles. Essential to these goals is the protection of freedom to learn and to teach and the guarantee of equal educational opportunity for all. The educator accepts the responsibility to adhere to the highest ethical standards.

Code of Ethics of the Education Profession (NEA)

• The educator recognizes the magnitude of the responsibility inherent in the teaching process. The desire for the respect and confidence of one's colleagues, of students, of parents, and of the members of the community provides the incentive to attain and maintain the highest possible degree of ethical conduct. The Code of Ethics of the Education Profession indicates the aspiration of all educators and provides standards by which to judge conduct.

Principle 1:Commitment to the Student

• The educator strives to help each student realize his or her potential as a worthy and effective member of society. The educator therefore works to stimulate the spirit of inquiry, the acquisition of knowledge and understanding, and the thoughtful formulation of worthy goals.

Commitment to the Student

• In fulfillment of the obligation to the student, the educator:

• Shall not unreasonably restrain the student from independent action in the pursuit of learning.

• Shall not unreasonably deny the student's access to varying points of view.

• Shall not deliberately suppress or distort subject matter relevant to the student's progress.

Commitment to the Student

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

• Shall not intentionally expose the student to embarrassment or disparagement.

• Shall not on the basis of race, color, creed, sex, national origin, marital status, political or religious beliefs, family, social or cultural background, or sexual orientation, unfairly– – Exclude any student from participation in any program – Deny benefits to any student – Grant any advantage to any student

Commitment to the Student

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

• Shall not disclose information about students obtained in the course of professional service unless disclosure serves a compelling professional purpose or is required by law.

Principle 2:Commitment to the Profession

• The education profession is vested by the public with a trust and responsibility requiring the highest ideals of professional service.

• In the belief that the quality of the services of the education profession directly influences the nation and its citizens, the educator shall exert every effort to raise professional standards, to promote a climate that encourages the exercise of professional judgment, to achieve conditions that attract persons worthy of the trust to careers in education, and to assist in preventing the practice of the profession by unqualified persons.

Commitment to the Profession

• In fulfillment of the obligation to the profession, the educator:

• Shall not in an application for a professional position deliberately make a false statement or fail to disclose a material fact related to competency and qualifications.

• Shall not misrepresent his/her professional qualifications.

• Shall not assist any entry into the profession of a person known to be unqualified in respect to character, education, or other relevant attribute.

Commitment to the Profession

• Shall not knowingly make a false statement concerning the qualifications of a candidate for a professional position.

• Shall not assist a noneducator in the unauthorized practice of teaching.

• Shall not disclose information about colleagues obtained in the course of professional service unless disclosure serves a compelling professional purpose or is required by law.

Commitment to the Profession

• Shall not knowingly make false or malicious statements about a colleague.

• Shall not accept any gratuity, gift, or favor that might impair or appear to influence professional decisions or action.

Ethical Issues

• Human dignity

• Vulnerable persons

• Confidentiality and privacy

• Justice

• Safety of students

• Harm and benefits

Respect for Human Dignity

• Speaks and acts towards all students with respect and dignity; and deals judiciously with them at all times, always mindful of their individual rights and personal sensibilities.

• Respects the dignity and responsibilities of cooperating teachers, peers, principals, parents and other professionals or para-professionals within the school, school board and community.

Respect for Vulnerable Persons

• Respects and recognizes ethical obligations towards vulnerable persons. This principle recognizes that students are in a vulnerable position and that student teachers are in a privileged relationship with students and their families and will always refrain from exploiting that relationship in any form or manner.

Respect for Confidentiality and Privacy

• Respects the confidential nature of all information related to students and their families and will share such information in an appropriate manner only with those directly concerned with their welfare.

• Respects the confidential nature of all information related to all school personnel and will share such information in an appropriate manner.

Respect for Justice

• Respects and recognizes the right of individuals to be treated with fairness and equity and the importance of avoiding conflicts of interest.

Respect for Safety of Students

• Respects the right of individuals to expect that student teachers will engage in practices that aim to ensure the physical, psychological and emotional safety of students.

Balancing Harm and Benefits

• Acknowledges that any potentially harmful practices (e.g. lab activities) must be balanced with anticipated benefits and conducted in a prudent informed manner.