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.

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 Recommends teacher prep programs. Recommends teacher prep programs. Monitors academic achievement. Monitors academic achievement. Monitors federal mandates. Monitors federal mandates. Monitors state mandates (DE & BOEE). Monitors state mandates (DE & BOEE). Translates laws into rules (DE & BOEE). Translates laws into rules (DE & BOEE).

Board of Educational Examiners Establishes licensure standards. Establishes licensure standards. Issues licenses. Issues licenses. Defines and enforces professional & ethical conduct. Defines and enforces professional & ethical conduct.

Professions ProfessionEntranceLicensureStandards Continuing Education Governing Body LawLSAT State Bar Exam Canon of Ethics CLE State Supreme Court MedicineMCAT State Board Exams State Code CME Board of Medical Examiners Education(Iowa) Entrance Exam (C-Base, PRAXIS-I, or CAPP) BA or BS (Initial license) Comp Evaluation (Standard license) Code of Conduct & Ethics Staff Dev or College credits (Grad or Undergrad) Board of Educationa l Examiners

Licensure Initial, standard, master educator Initial, standard, master educator Administrative licensure Administrative licensure Evaluator approval Evaluator approval Substitute license Substitute license Other certification Other certification Substitute authorization Substitute authorization Coaching authorization Coaching authorization Para-educator certification 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 be licensed & endorsed. Right to refuse assignments for which the educator is not legally authorized. Right to refuse assignments for which the educator is not legally authorized. Right to exercise professional judgment in teaching methods & instructional materials. 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 Building/district administrators Board of Educational Examiners Board of Educational Examiners Local/State Education Associations Local/State Education Associations School Administrators of Iowa School Administrators of Iowa

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 III: Misrepresentation, falsification of information. Standard IV: Misuse of public funds and property. Standard IV: Misuse of public funds and property. Standard V: Violations of contractual obligations. Standard V: Violations of contractual obligations.

Standards (Continued) Standard VI: Unethical practice toward other members of the profession, parents, students, and the community. 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 VII: Compliance with state law governing student loan obligations. Standard VIII: Incompetence. Standard VIII: Incompetence.

Case Study #1 A high school English teacher claimed to have earned a masters degree in 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? What standard(s) did these practitioners violate? How could these complaints have been avoided? How could these complaints have been avoided?

Types of Sanctions Letter of Reprimand: Permanently on file; teacher continues to practice. 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. 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. Revocation: Permanent loss of license with no opportunity for reapplying.

Situations of Potential Concern Working alone with students Working alone with students Driving students home Driving students home Testing for Accountability Testing for Accountability Using technology Using technology

Working Alone with Students Tutorial session Tutorial session Music or art lesson Music or art lesson Physical education/coaching Physical education/coaching Counseling before or after school Counseling before or after school

Driving Students Home School/district policies and procedures School/district policies and procedures Parent or guardian permission Parent or guardian permission Documentation Documentation

Testing for Accountability Prompting students Prompting students Altering student answer sheets Altering student answer sheets Teaching identified test items Teaching identified test items Improper administration of tests Improper administration of tests Inappropriate accommodations or modifications Inappropriate accommodations or modifications

Using Technology Appropriate websites Appropriate websites accounts accounts Legal software Legal software Copyright Copyright Cyberbullying 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 Interactions with students Knowledge of school policies and procedures Knowledge of school policies and procedures Reputation in the community 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 are the 2 nd most influential in the lives of children. -- Author unknown

For additional information about licensure and endorsements, contact the BOEE office at or

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