Educator Accomplished Practice: (EAP) 6: Ethics
Task Name: Principles of Professional Conduct
Task Description
The teacher is presented with a set of fourteen (14) scenarios representing potential
ethical conflicts and is asked to determine if The Principles of Professional Conduct have
been violated, and if so, describe what he/she should do to avoid the violation. As a
teacher you will be presented with many situations that require a quick decision. You will
need to consider how you can avoid potential ethical violations while still supporting the
needs of your students.
Portfolio Product:
 The Principles of Professional Conduct Scenarios Worksheet
 Post Conference Guide
Directions
First, carefully read and review The Code of Ethics and The Principles of Professional
Conduct of the Education Profession in Florida.
To complete this task, you will also need the Principles of Professional Conduct
Scenarios Worksheet. For each of the fourteen scenarios listed, respond to the following
in the space provided on the worksheet. A sample response has been included on the
worksheet.
1. Determine if there is a violation of the Principles of Professional Conduct, and, if
so, circle the Principle(s) that has been violated in the second column.
2. If there has been a violation(s), list the number & letter of the violation in the
third column, utilizing The Code of Ethics and The Principles of Professional
Conduct of the Education Profession in Florida.
3. In the fourth column labeled “What should you do?” describe what action should
be taken by the teacher to avoid the violation(s). If there were no violations for a
particular scenario, no response is needed for the fourth column.
4. Complete the Post Conference Guide with your mentor.
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Code of Ethics – Education Profession
6B-1.006 Principles of Professional Conduct for the Education Profession
in Florida
6B-1.001 Code of Ethics of the Education Profession in Florida.
1. The educator 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 these standards are the freedom to
learn and to teach and the guarantee of equal opportunity for all.
2. The educator's primary professional concern will always be for the student and for
the development of the student's potential. The educator will therefore strive for
professional growth and will seek to exercise the best professional judgment and
integrity.
3. Aware of the importance of maintaining the respect and confidence of one's
colleagues, of students, of parents, and of other members of the community, the
educator strives to achieve and sustain the highest degree of ethical conduct.
6B-1.006 Principles of Professional Conduct for the Education Profession in Florida.
1. 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.
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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 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 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 one's own or another's 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.
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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.
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EAP 6: Principles of Professional Conduct
Name: __________________________ Mentor’s Name__________________________
Date:__________________________________
Decision for EAP on this Task (check one):
Demonstrated:
All are acceptable.
Not Demonstrated: 1 or more ratings are unacceptable.
Rating Scale Key: D = Demonstrated; ND = Not Demonstrated
The new educator will be required to redo an Element of the Rubric until all areas
are Demonstrated.
Element
# Criteria for "acceptable" rating
Response for
each situation
1 For each of the situations, the teacher has made the
correct linkage to the Principles of Professional
Conduct of the Education Profession in Florida, (as
appropriate), indicating an adequate understanding of
the principles of the Code.
Rating
__ D __ ND
2 For each response, it is clear that the teacher
understands actions that should and should not be
taken by a teacher that will avoid violating the
Principles.
__ D __ ND
3 The responses are consistent with the Principles of
Professional Conduct of the Education Profession in
Florida, ethical, and realistic.
__ D __ ND
Comments:
Improvements Needed:
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EAP 6: Principles of Professional Conduct
Worksheet
Directions: Utilizing the brochure, The Code of Ethics and The Principles of Professional Conduct of the Education Profession in
Florida, circle /select the correct violation(s) in the second column for each of the scenarios below. If a violation is noted, in column
three list the number and letter of the violation(s) per the brochure. Although it is possible that more than one principle may have been
violated, only one response is required. If a principle was violated, indicate “What should you do?” in the fourth column. See Example
below.
#
EX.
Scenario
Money: As the band teacher, you are in charge of
collecting monies from students regarding a fund
raising activity. The collected monies were kept in a
box in your desk and occasionally you would “borrow”
money from the funds. Were Principles violated?
If Yes, complete the next 3 columns.
If No, select ‘None’ and go the next question.
1
2
Principles Violated
Circle the Correct Answer(s)
1. Obligation to the Student
4c
2. Obligation to the Public
3. Obligation to the Profession of Education
5a
What should you do?



Keep records.
Jointly collect money.
Audit accounts.
4. None
Advice: One of your students shows up alone at your
home. He claims that a gang is bullying him, wants to
discuss this with you and he can't tell at school or
he'll be attacked. He has several bruises. You counsel
the student for several hours and devise a plan to
catch the bullies. Were Principles violated?
Circle the Correct Answer(s)
If Yes, complete the next 3 columns.
3. Obligation to the Profession of Education
If No, select ‘None’ and go the next question.
4. None
Rights: One of your students tells you that he is gay.
The student is crying and wants to talk to you
because he is having trouble “fitting in.” You listen to
the student; suggest that the student go to the
guidance counselor; and offer to walk the student to
the guidance office. Were Principles violated?
Circle the Correct Answer(s)
If Yes, complete the next 3 columns.
3. Obligation to the Profession of Education
If No, select ‘None’ and go the next question.
4. None
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Principles Violated
1. Obligation to the Student
2. Obligation to the Public
1. Obligation to the Student
2. Obligation to the Public
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Use of school equipment: During your planning
period you have just finished grading homework and
entering all of your grades into the computer grading
program and have time left. You use the remaining
time to do some on-line holiday shopping. Were
principles violated?
Circle the Correct Answer(s)
If Yes, complete the next 3 columns.
2. Obligation to the Public
If No, select ‘None’ and go the next question.
3. Obligation to the Profession of Education
Public Role: You are a member of a civic group,
church, or organization, and you are asked to speak
representing that group on a controversial matter.
You were introduced as a teacher at John Doe High
School. When you spoke, you again referred to
yourself as a teacher. Were principles violated?
1. Obligation to the Student
4. None
Circle the Correct Answer(s)
1. Obligation to the Student
2. Obligation to the Public
If Yes, complete the next 3 columns.
3. Obligation to the Profession of Education
If No, select ‘None’ and go the next question.
4. None
Free Speech and Equity in the Classroom: In
your English class your students are assigned a
project, which needs prior approval, of giving a
speech on the topic of ‘What I Want To Do With My
Life’. One student, who is Catholic, wants to become
a priest. His speech tells about his church, their
fundamental beliefs, and his reasons for entering the
priesthood. You allow the speech. Were principles
violated?
Circle the Correct Answer(s)
If Yes, complete the next 3 columns.
1. Obligation to the Student
2. Obligation to the Public
3. Obligation to the Profession of Education
4. None
If No, select ‘None’ and go the next question.
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Alcohol: During an over-night field trip with
students, one of the chaperones brings a cooler of
beer and wine on the bus to share after the students
go to bed. After the students are put in their rooms,
you and the other chaperones consume the alcoholic
beverages before the final student bed check is
made. Were principles violated?
Circle the Correct Answer(s)
1. Obligation to the Student
2. Obligation to the Public
3. Obligation to the Profession of Education
If Yes, complete the next 3 columns.
4. None
If No, select ‘None’ and go the next question.
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Academic Dishonesty: Your students are talking
with each other about an FCAT administration given
the previous day, and you hear them mention that
your colleague who was proctoring the exam gave
several students "clues" that assisted them in
answering some questions. You do not report this to
the school’s administration. Were principles violated?
Circle the Correct Answer(s)
1. Obligation to the Student
2. Obligation to the Public
3. Obligation to the Profession of Education
If Yes, complete the next 3 columns.
4. None
If No, select ‘None’ and go the next question.
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Videos: Your students have worked hard preparing
for an exam, and they are asking that you reward
them by showing an unapproved “R” rated video
during class time. One of the students rents the
movie and brings it to class. Previously, you had seen
the movie and decided that it was ok. Were
principles violated?
Circle the Correct Answer(s)
1. Obligation to the Student
2. Obligation to the Public
3. Obligation to the Profession of Education
If Yes, complete the next 3 columns.
4. None
If No, select ‘None’ and go the next question.
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Internet Pornography: Another teacher sends you
e-mail containing funny but pornographic cartoons on
the school e-mail server. Several students walk by
your computer and see the cartoons. You then
forward the e-mail to another colleague. Were
principles violated?
Circle the Correct Answer(s)
If Yes, complete the next 3 columns.
3. Obligation to the Profession of Education
If No, select ‘None’ and go the next question.
4. None
Grading Policies: You give the same essay tests
and written homework assignments to every student.
A popular athlete who does poorly on the tests tells
you he couldn’t prepare adequately because of daily
football practice. He claims you graded his papers
lower because you are biased. Many of the essays
are a judgment call, but you think you are fair. The
parents and the athlete want another test, extra work
for credit, or a different teacher to grade the papers.
Were principles violated?
Circle the Correct Answer(s)
1. Obligation to the Student
2. Obligation to the Public
1. Obligation to the Student
2. Obligation to the Public
3. Obligation to the Profession of Education
4. None
If Yes, complete the next 3 columns.
If No, select ‘None’ and go the next question.
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Community Relations: You are married to a real
estate broker and teach in a rapidly growing
community. You send home a student profile sheet
the first week of school. You share the student
information; i.e. names, addresses, phone numbers,
parent and other information with your spouse who is
looking for new customers. Were principles violated?
Circle the Correct Answer(s)
1. Obligation to the Student
2. Obligation to the Public
3. Obligation to the Profession of Education
If Yes, complete the next 3 columns.If No, select
‘None’ and go the next question.
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4. None
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History: Before you started teaching, you served in
the Peace Corps. While overseas, you were arrested,
jailed, charged, and convicted for “subversive
activities” not appreciated by the foreign
government. It was years ago and you do not report
the charge on your application. Were principles
violated?
Circle the Correct Answer(s)
1. Obligation to the Student
2. Obligation to the Public
3. Obligation to the Profession of Education
If Yes, complete the next 3 columns.
4. None
If No, select ‘None’ and go the next question.
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Community values: You teach middle school
science. You are an active conservationist and
support the Green Party. You go through all the
approved curriculum materials during the summer
break removing lessons that teach processes that you
disagree with and substitute lessons from the political
material you receive. Were principles violated?
Circle the Correct Answer(s)
1. Obligation to the Student
2. Obligation to the Public
3. Obligation to the Profession of Education
If Yes, complete the next 3 columns.
4. None
If No, select ‘None’ and go the next question.
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Recertification: You have a schedule conflict with a
district workshop that gets recertification credit. It’s a
topic you already know about. You get another
teacher to pick up a report sheet and turn it in even
though you don’t really attend. Were principles
violated?
Circle the Correct Answer(s)
If Yes, complete the next 3 columns.
3. Obligation to the Profession of Education
If No, select ‘None’ and go the next question.
4. None
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1. Obligation to the Student
2. Obligation to the Public
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EAP 6 Post-Conference Guide
Name of Teacher
Date of Observation
Name of Mentor
Date of Face-to-Face Conference
What were the observed strengths?
What information was discussed?
What recommendations were agreed upon for the next lesson?
What are the new educator’s responsibilities?
What are the mentor’s responsibilities?
Next meeting or observation date:
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