Ethical Standards in The Classroom

1. Ethical Standards in The Classroom Outcome #6 discuss courses of action to mitigate inappropriate student/instructor relationships

2. Overview • Profile of a Good Teacher • Key Terms for developing an ethical framework • Guidelines • Strategies • Practical Exercise-Apply Ethical Framework to avoid unethical practices

3. Profile of a Good Teacher • Provides holistic instruction (teach the total child) • Great Teacher • Well respected and stand out among their peers • Dedicates extra time to students

4. Professional Teacher Ethics Key Legal Terms and Definitionsfor developing an Ethical Framework

5. Fiduciary Positions • By position there is an automatic imbalance of power. • Teachers • Doctors • Clergy • Lawyers • Therapists

6. In Loco Parentis • In Place of the parents Captive Audience • Students are required to be there

7. Safety & Welfare • The first priority of all educators is the safety and welfare of their students • Physical • Sexual • Emotional • Psychological • Intellectual

8. Education as a Right of Property • 14th Amendment states every person has a right to property • An Education is considered a property entitlement • Goss vs Lopez , 419 U.S. 565-75 (1975)

9. Student Freedom of Expression • Cannot be inconsistent with schools mission • School rules cannot infringe on students right to expression • Students is not permitted to cause disorder in the school • Should not violate someone else’s rights • REFER TO YOUR SCHOOLS STUDENT/TEACHER HANDBOOK

10. Supervisory Liability • To avoid liability, teachers must be able to prove that they: • Provided proper supervision • Established rules • Attempted to anticipate danger • Gave warning of possible danger

11. Teacher Lifestyle • Should not hinder teacher effectiveness Teacher Misconduct • Legal and ethical violations –may be criminal or non-criminal

12. Teacher Sexual Misconduct • Verbal, visual, written, physical Teacher Freedom of Expression • Cannot conflict with school mission • Cannot endanger efficacy or safety • Relevant to curriculum

13. Sexual Harassment • Criteria: • Sexual in nature, Unwanted and unwelcomed • Severe, persistent, or pervasive • Interfere with work or study • School Liability: • Must have knowledge of it • Deliberate indifference

14. Duty to Report • You must report known or suspected abuse Due process • Protects the student and the teacher

15. Student Punishment • Due process must be followed: • Documentation of Offense • Student given opportunity to accept or refuse accusation • Student and parents notified of the punishment REFER TO YOUR SCHOOL POLICY!!!!!

16. Ethical Guidelines(Staying off the Slippery Slope) • Remember the basis of your relationship. • Set and maintain clearly defined boundaries. • Balance the student’s needs and your responsibilities. • Do not have “personal” conversations with students. • Do not allow the students to fill a personal void in your life.

17. Develop Strategies(“when” not “if”) • When a student says something inappropriate • When I become uncomfortable with a relationship • When I start to develop a close personal relationship with a student • When I start to relate to my students as equals • When I think/know I am getting too close

18. Group Practical Exercise Review your assigned scenario: • Provide two possible solutions for your scenario 2. Discuss the Pros and Cons of each decision • Use the Ethical Decision-making Matrix to provide rationale for your decision • Consequences -legal and non legal (give examples) • What did you learn during your group discussion 3. Prepare to facilitate a discussion

19. Resources • Dr Troy Hutchings-University of Phoenix • Teacher Liability http://www2.ed.gov/policy/elsec/leg/esea02/pg33.html • Student Freedom of Expression • http://www.eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/search/detailmini.jsp?_nfpb=true&_&ERICExtSearch_SearchValue_0=ED154381&ERICExtSearch_SearchType_0=no&accno=ED154381 • Teachers, bosses charged in N.J. school sex scandal