Ethics in Education

Policies & Procedures

Ethics in Education Policies and Procedures

The following are the code of ethics for the education profession at Rise Preparatory Academy. Violation of any of these principles may result in revocation or suspension of the educator's certificate, or other penalties as provided by law.

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.

Standards of Conduct for the Educator

The following are the principles of professional conduct for the education profession at Rise Preparatory Academy. Violation of any of these principles may result in revocation or suspension of the educator's certificate, or other penalties as provided by law.

Principles of Professional Conduct

1. The following disciplinary rule shall constitute the Principles of Professional Conduct for the Education Profession at Rise Preparatory Academy.
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. Obligations to the student requires that the individual:
   • 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.
   • Shall not unreasonably restrain a student from independent action in pursuit of learning.
   • Shall not intentionally suppress or distort subject matter relevant to the student's academic program.
   • Shall not intentionally expose a student to unnecessary embarrassment or disparagement.
   • Shall not intentionally violate or deny a student's legal rights.
   • Shall not harass or discriminate against any student on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, nationality 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.
   • Shall not exploit a relationship with a student for personal gain or advantage.
   • 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:
   • Shall take reasonable precautions to distinguish between personal views and those of any educational institute or organization with which the individual is affiliated.
   • Shall not intentionally distort or misrepresent facts concerning an educational matter in direct or indirect public expression.
   • Shall not use institutional privileges for personal gain or advantage.
   • Shall not accept gratuity, gift, or favor that might influence professional judgment.
   • Shall not offer gratuity or favor that might influence professional judgment.
5. Obligations to the profession of education require that the individual:
   • Shall maintain honesty in all professional dealings.
   • Shall not on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, nationality or ethnic origin, political beliefs, marital status, handicapping condition if otherwise qualified, or social and family background deny to a colleague professional benefits, advantages or participation in any professional organization.
   • Shall not interfere with a colleague's exercise of political or civil rights and responsibilities.
   • Shall not engage in harassment or discriminatory conduct which unreasonably interferes with an individual's performance of professional or work responsibilities or which creates a hostile, intimidating, abusive, offensive, or oppressive environment.
   • Shall not make malicious or intentionally false statements about a colleague.
   • Shall not use coercive means or promise special treatment to influence professional judgment of colleagues.
   • Shall not misrepresent one's own professional qualifications.
   • Shall not submit fraudulent statements or fail to disclose a material fact in one's own or another's application for a professional position.
   • Shall not withhold information regarding a position from an applicant or misrepresent an assignment or conditions of employment.
   • Shall provide upon request a written statement of specific reasons for recommendations that lead to the denial of increments, significant changes in employment, or termination of employment.
   • Shall not assist entry or continuance in the profession of any person known to be unqualified in accordance with these Principles of Professional Conduct.
   • Shall self-report within 48 hours to appropriate authorities any arrest/charges involving the abuse of a child or the sale and/or possession of a controlled substance.
   • Shall report to appropriate authorities any known allegation of a violation of the Florida School Code or State Board of Education Rules.
   • 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.
   • Shall comply with the conditions of an order of the Education Practices Commission imposing probation, imposing a fine, or restricting the authorized scope of practice.
   • Shall, as the supervising administrator, cooperate with the Director and Board of Directors for Rise Preparatory Academy in monitoring the probation of a subordinate.

Training

All instructional personnel and school administrators must engage in annual training on the standards of ethical conduct and the policy for reporting misconduct. Training must at a minimum include examples of violations of the Code of Ethics and potential penalties, information on how to properly identify and report child abuse or neglect, procedures on how to report misconduct of other instructional personnel and school administrators, requirements of self-reporting criminal charges, the nature and consequences of disqualifying offenses, the importance of being a role model, and the fiduciary responsibility of being an educator.

Reports to the Director

Any violation of these standards of conduct may result in the information being reported to the Office of Professional Practices Services of Rise Preparatory Academy for investigation to determine if disciplinary action should be taken against an educator's Florida Educator Certificate or Florida Christian FAACS Certification.

Reporting Misconduct by Instructional Personnel and Administrators

All employees and administrators have an obligation to report misconduct by instructional personnel and school administrators which affects the health, safety, or welfare of a student. Examples of misconduct include obscene language, drug and alcohol use, disparaging comments, prejudice or bigotry, sexual innuendos, cheating or testing violations, physical aggression, and accepting or offering favors.

Reports of misconduct of employees should be made to the Director of Rise Preparatory Academy: (305) 783-9846. Legally sufficient allegations of misconduct by certified educators will be reported to the Board/CEO's of Rise Preparatory Academy.

Reporting Child Abuse, Abandonment or Neglect

All employees and agents have an affirmative duty to report all actual or suspected cases of child abuse, abandonment, or neglect. Call 1-800-96-ABUSE or report online at: www.dcf.state.fl.us/abuse/report

Patterns of Abuse: Serious abuse usually involves a combination of factors. While a single sign may not be significant, a pattern of physical or behavioral signs is a serious indicator and should be reported.

Liability Protections

Any person, official, or institution participating in good faith in any act authorized or required by law, or reporting in good faith any instance of child abuse, abandonment, or neglect to the department or any law enforcement agency, shall be immune from any civil or criminal liability which might otherwise result by reason of such action. (F.S. 39.203)

An employee who discloses information about a former or current employee to a prospective employer upon request is immune from civil liability for such disclosure or its consequences unless it is shown by clear and convincing evidence that the information disclosed was knowingly false or violated any civil right of the former or current employee protected under F.S. Chapter 760. (F.S. 768.095)