Ethics in Iowa Education
The Board of Educational Examiners provides leadership in
practitioner licensure, and oversight of practitioner rights,
responsibilities, practices, and ethics.
The information in this presentation is
NOT to be construed as legal advice.
Since there could be contractual
implications, practitioners may contact
their building or union representative for
guidance.
Presentation Content
At the end of this presentation, participants will
understand the following content:
1. Code of Conduct & Ethics.
2. Code of Rights & Responsibilities.
3. Role of the Board of Educational
Examiners (BOEE).
Topics
• Iowa Department of Education
• Board of Educational Examiners
• Chapter 26: Rights &
Responsibilities
• Chapter 25: Conduct & Ethics
• Case Studies
• Cautions
Teachers are not in private practice. We
are in the helping and caring profession, a
service profession to help people
enhance the quality of their lives.
Harry and Rosemary Wong
Iowa Department of Education (DE)
Board of Educational Examiners (BOEE)
Iowa Department of Education
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Recommends teacher prep programs
Monitors academic achievement
Monitors federal mandates
Monitors state mandates (DE & BOEE)
Translates laws into rules (DE & BOEE)
Board of Educational Examiners
• Establishes licensure standards
• Issues licenses
• Defines and enforces professional &
ethical conduct
Professions
Profession Entrance Licensure Standards Continuing
Education
Governing
Body
Law
LSAT
State Bar
Exam
Canon of
Ethics
CLE
State
Supreme
Court
Medicine
MCAT
State
Board
Exams
State
Code
CME
Board of
Medical
Examiners
Education
(Iowa)
Entrance
Exam
BA or BS
Code of
Conduct &
Ethics
Staff Dev or
College
credits
Board of
Educationa
l Examiners
(C-Base,
PRAXIS-I,
or CAPP)
(Initial
license)
Comp
Evaluation
(Standard
license)
(Grad or
Undergrad)
Licensure
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Initial, standard, master educator
Administrative licensure
Evaluator approval
Substitute license
Other certification
– Substitute authorization
– Coaching authorization
– Para-educator certification
Licensure Renewal
Educators can renew their licenses
through college credit and approved
licensure renewal activities provided by
AEAs, SAI, ISEA, and approved districts.
Iowa Administrative Code
Chapter 26
Rights & Responsibilities
• Right to be licensed & endorsed
• Right to refuse assignments for which
the educator is not legally authorized
• Right to exercise professional
judgment in teaching methods &
instructional materials
Right to be Licensed & Endorsed
After completing an undergraduate program,
being recommended by a university or college,
and passing a background check, a teacher has
the right to be licensed.
Example: In addition to passing all required
classes, each teacher needs a positive
recommendation concerning teaching ability to
receive an initial license.
Right to Refuse Assignments
A teacher who is teaching outside his or
her licensure is subject to a fine and
disciplinary action.
Example: A high school English teacher
must hold a secondary license and a
journalism endorsement to teach
journalism.
Right to Refuse Assignments
Depending upon a school’s needs, a
teacher may be asked to seek a
conditional license by completing
additional coursework.
Example: A chemistry teacher may be
asked to complete a coursework for a
biology endorsement.
Right to Use Professional Judgment
Subject to local board/administrator
authority, teachers may evaluate, select, and
use teaching methods appropriate to student
needs, abilities, and backgrounds. However,
teacher judgment must align with district goals
and initiatives
Example: In teaching social studies content,
one teacher may ask students to role play while
another may assign reports.
If You Have Questions, Contact…
• Building/district administrators
• Board of Educational Examiners
http://www.state.ia.us/boee
• Local/State Education Associations
http://www.isea.org
• School Administrators of Iowa
http://www.sai-iowa.org
Iowa Administrative Code
Chapter 25
Standards
Standard I: Conviction of crimes, sexual
or other immoral conduct with or toward a
student, and child and dependent adult
abuse
Standard II: Alcohol or drug abuse
Standards (Continued)
• Standard III: Misrepresentation,
falsification of information
• Standard IV: Misuse of public funds and
property
• Standard V: Violations of contractual
obligations
Standards (Continued)
• Standard VI: Unethical practice toward
other members of the profession,
parents, students, and the community
• Standard VII: Compliance with state law
governing student loan obligations
• Standard VIII: Incompetence
Case Study #1
A high school English teacher
claimed to have earned a masters
degree in 1980. As of 2002, she
received close to $42,000 extra
salary based on her fictitious degree.
National Clearinghouse
Suspensions and revocations are
posted on the National Association of
State Directors for Teacher Education
and Certification (NASDTEC) Website.
Case Study #2
A coach hired a student to baby-sit
and secretively videotaped her trying
on bathing suits. He told her that he
intended to purchase the suits for his
wife.
Case Study #3
A high school science teacher drove a
student to a school athletic event. The
student found marijuana in the teacher’s
car which the two proceeded to smoke.
The teacher claimed that her brother, who
had recently borrowed her car, was the
likely source.
Case Studies #4-10
What standards did these practitioners violate?
How could these situations have been avoided?
Please read the remaining case studies and
consider your responses to the questions above
as you view the remaining case studies.
Case Study #4
A teacher’s request for personal leave
was denied based on the district’s policy
of no personal days before or after
Winter/Spring Break. The teacher called
in ill. An investigation by the principal
revealed that the teacher took a
planned trip during the time he
requested sick leave.
Case Study #5
An elementary teacher locked money from
student lunches, library books, field trips, and
school fundraisers in her desk drawer. School
policy required teachers to turn money into the
office daily. An audit indicated that she turned in
60-70% less money than other teachers. She
admitted to borrowing and not paying back the full
amount.
Case Study #6
A middle school teacher purchased single
copies of several software programs to use in
class. Because of the limited number of
copies, students could not easily work on
their projects. A student was allowed to make
additional copies to load on the remaining
computers.
Case Study #7
A superintendent used corporal punishment
on two 4th grade boys after they had been
reprimanded and referred by recess
supervisors. The boys’ parents complained
and contacted the police.
Case Study #8
A High School teacher was distressed
with student misbehavior. She
submitted a letter of resignation to the
Board secretary mid-semester but failed
to notify the principal. The teacher did
not report to work again.
Case Study #9
An administrator, who could not find a
teacher for one section of physics,
ordered the band director, who held a
Iowa K-12 instrumental music license
with no endorsements, to teach that
section.
Case Study #10
A teacher received a college grant with
specific guidelines concerning where
and how long to teach as well as
payback provisions. He received
several notices of default but failed to
honor his loan obligations.
Questions
• What standard(s) did these practitioners
violate?
• How could these complaints have been
avoided?
Types of Sanctions
• Letter of Reprimand: Permanently on
file; teacher continues to practice
• Suspension: Prohibited from practicing
for a defined period of time, usually with
requirements for additional training
• Revocation: Permanent loss of license
with no opportunity for reapplying.
Situations of Potential Concern
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Working alone with students
Driving students home
Testing for Accountability
Using technology
Working Alone with Students
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Tutorial session
Music or art lesson
Physical education/coaching
Counseling before or after school
Driving Students Home
• School/district policies and
procedures
• Parent or guardian permission
• Documentation
Testing for Accountability
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Prompting students
Altering student answer sheets
Teaching identified test items
Improper administration of tests
Inappropriate accommodations or
modifications
Using Technology
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Appropriate websites
Email accounts
Legal software
Copyright
Cyberbullying
It is essential that educators
recognize their unique and
influential role in society by
honoring the standards
established for their profession.
Think About Your…
• Interactions with students
• Knowledge of school policies and
procedures
• Reputation in the community
What is your role and responsibility
in maintaining the high ethical
standards that define our
profession?
Parents are the first teachers
of their children, but teachers
nd
are the 2 most influential in
the lives of children.
-- Author unknown
For additional information about
licensure and endorsements, contact
the BOEE office at 515.281.3245 or
www.state.ia.us/boee
Ethics in Iowa Education was created
by Heartland AEA 11 in partnership
with the Board of Educational
Examiners.
Project authors:
Anita Westerhaus & Sue Swartz
© September 2005 Heartland AEA 11
Johnston, Iowa
This is the end of the presentation.
Thank you for participating.