legal and ethical requirements Flashcards
What is an essential component of creating an equitable classroom for all learners
Advocating for student success in the classroom whenever possible.
To advocate for students teachers can:
Listen and be responsive to student needs, whether social, emotional, or academic
attend PD sessions throughout the year and implement strategies into lesson plans as soon as possible
prepare thoughtful lesson plans and set clear, standards-based learning goals for students
work with parents and administrators to make sure students have the material they need to complete classwork, such as internet access, a computer, or school supplies
if a student is struggling academically or behaviorally, provide interventions and reach out to other staff members on campus who may be of assistance, such as instructional coaches, assistant principals, or counselors
Teachers and social media
teachers should be cautious in their use of social media. Inappropriate and controversial social media posts can have a negative impact on student-teacher and parent-teacher relationships, as well as a negative impact on the public perception of educators overall.
careful, respectful conversations on how best to educate children
is an important part of advocating for the profession.
Standard 1.1 The educator shal not intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly engage in
deceptive practices regarding official policies or the certification process
Standard 1.2 The educator shall not intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly misappriate
diver, or use monies, personnel, property, or equipment committed to his or her charge for personal gain or advantage.
Standard 1.3 The educator shall not submit fraudulent requests for
reimbursement, expenses, or pay
Standard 1.4 The edcuator shall not use institutional or professional privileges for
personal or partisan advantage
Standard 1.5 The educator shall neither accept nor offer gratuities, gifts, or favors that
Impair professional judgment or are used to obtain special advantage. This standard shall not restrict the acceptance of gifts or tokens offered and accepted openly from students, parents of students, or other persons or organizations in recognition or appreciation of service.
Standard 1.6 The educator shall not falsify records, or
direct or coerce others to do so
Standard 1.7 The educator shall comply with state regulations,
written local school board policies, and other state and federal laws.
Standard 1.8 The educator shall apply for, accept, offer, or assign a position or a responsibility on the basis
of professional qualifications
Standard 1.9 The educator shall not make threats of violence against school district
employees, school board members, students, or parents of students
Standard 1.10 The educator shall be of good
moral character and be worthy to instruct or supervise the youth of this state.
Standard 1.11 The educator shal not intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly misrepresent his or her
employment history, criminal history, and/or disciplinary record when applying for subsequent employment
Standard 1.12 The educator shall refrain form the illegal use, abuse, or distribution of
controlled substances, prescription drugs, and toxic inhalants
Standard 1.13. The educator shall not be under the influence of alcohol or consume alcoholic beverages
on school property or during school activities when students are present
Standard 2.1. The educator shall not reveal
confidential health or personnel information concerning colleagues unless disclosure serves lawful professional purposes or is required by law.
Standard 2.2 The educator shall not harm others by knowingly making
false statements about a colleague or the school system.
Standard 2.3 The educator shall adhere to written local school board policies and state and federal laws regarding the
hiring, evaluation, and dismissal of personnel
Standard 2.4 The educator shall not interfere with a colleague’s exercise of
political, professional, or citizenship rights and responsibilities.
Standard 2.5 The educator shall not discriminate against or coerce a colleague on
the basis orf race, color, religion, national origin, age, gender, disability, family status, or sexual orientation.
Standard 2.6 The educator shall not use coercive means or
promise of special treatment in order to influence professional decisions or colleagues
Standard 2.7 The educator shall not retaliate against any individual who has filed a complaint with the SBEC or who
provides information for a disciplinary investigation or proceeding under this chapter
Standard 2.8 The educator shall not intentionally or knowingly subject a colleague to
sexual harassment
Standard 3.1 The educator shall not reveal confidential information concerning students unless
disclosure serves lawful professional purposes or is required by law.
Standard 3.2 The educator shall not intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly treat a student or minor in a manner that
adversely affects or endangers the learning, physical health, mental health, or safety of the student or minor.
Standard 3.3 The educator shall not intentinally, knowingly, or recklessly misrepresent facts
regarding a student.
Standard 3.4 The educator shall not exclude a student form participation in a program, deny benefits to a student, or grant an advantage to a student on the basis of
race, color, gender, disability, national orgin, religion, family status, or sexual orientation.
Standard 3.5 The educator shall not intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly engage in
physical mistreatment, neglect, or abuse of a student or minor.
Standard 3.6 The educator shall not solicit or engage in sexual
conduct or a romantic relationship with a student or minor
Standard 3.7 The educator shall not furnish alcohol or illegal/unauthorized drugs to any person under
21 years of age unless the educator is a parent or guardian of that child or knowingly allow any person under 21 years of age unless the educator is a parent or guardian of that child to consume alcohol or illegal/unauthorized drugs in the presence of the educator.
Standard 3.8 The educator shall maintain appropriate professional educator-student relationship and boundaries
based on a reasonably prudent educator standard
Standard 3.9 The educator shall refrain from inappropriate communication with a student or minor, including but not limited to
electronic communication such as cell phone, text messaging, email, instant messaging, blogging, or other social network communication. Factors that may be considered in assessing whether the communication is inappropriate is:
Inappropriate communcation
-nature, purpose, timing, and amount of communication
-subject matter of communication
-whether the communication was made openly, or the educator attempted to conceal the communication
-whether the communication could be reasonably interpreted as soliciting sexual contact or a romantic relationship
-whether the communication was sexually explicit
-whether the communication involved discussions of the physical or sexual attractiveness or the sexual history, activities, preferences, or fantasies of either the educator or the student.
Students cannot be taken off campus without parent permission. signed permission forms are required for
events such as field trips
In general during assessment tests, the teacher
-cannot have materials out that might help the student
-cannot influence a student’s answer choice (this includes clarifying what a question is asking and telling a student to bubble in answers that are left blank)
-cannot access a computer during the test
-cannot read the test questions to students (if a student needs the test read to them, they will have accommodations and likely be in a testing center)
- must actively monitor all students (for example, a teacher can’t read a book during an exam.)
Responsibilities of independent school districts
hire teachers and administrators and determines budget
Responsibilites of TEA
administers statewide assessments, monitors adherence to state and federal regulations, supports and monitors TEA divisions
TEA division (SBOE)
adopts instructional materials and facilitates the writing of instructional standards
TEA division (State Board of Educator Certification)
manages teacher certification
Texas legislature responsibilities
passes laws regarding various education issues like maximum class sizes, distribution of funds, required number of school days, etc.
sets the Texas Education Code (TEC)
US Congress responsibilities
Adopts nationwide laws and policies like No Child Left Behind and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)