The purpose of the Model Code of Educator Ethics (MCEE) is to serve as a shared ethical guide for future and current educators who are faced with the complexities of P-12 education. The code establishes principles for ethical best practice, mindfulness, self-reflection and decision-making, setting the groundwork for self-regulation and self-accountability. There are five principles, which broadly define critical dimensions of ethical practice expected of the professional educator each followed by performance indicators that more specifically define aspects within each principle. You can review the MCEE and see many support documents for the code here. Principle I: Responsibility to the Profession The professional educator is aware that trust in the profession depends upon a level of professional conduct and responsibility that may be higher than required by law. This entails holding one and other educators to the same ethical standards. The professional educator demonstrates responsibility to oneself as an ethical professional by:
The professional educator promotes and advances the profession within and beyond the school community by:
Principle II: Responsibility for Professional Competence The professional educator is committed to the highest levels of professional and ethical practice, including demonstration of the knowledge, skills and dispositions required for professional competence. The professional educator demonstrates commitment to high standards of practice through:
The professional educator acts in the best interest of all students by:
Principle III: Responsibility to Students The professional educator has a primary obligation to treat students with dignity and respect. The professional educator promotes the health, safety and well being of students by establishing and maintaining appropriate verbal, physical, emotional and social boundaries. The professional educator respects the rights and dignity of students by:
The professional educator maintains student trust and confidentiality when interacting with students in a developmentally appropriate manner and within appropriate limits by:
Principle IV: Responsibility to the School Community The professional educator promotes positive relationships and effective interactions, with members of the school community, while maintaining professional boundaries. The professional educator promotes effective and appropriate relationships with parents/guardians by:
The professional educator promotes effective and appropriate relationships with colleagues by:
The professional educator promotes effective and appropriate relationships with the community and other stakeholders by:
The professional educator promotes effective and appropriate relationships with employers by:
The professional educator understands the problematic nature of multiple relationships by:
Principle V: Responsible and Ethical Use of Technology The professional educator considers the impact of consuming, creating, distributing and communicating information through all technologies. The ethical educator is vigilant to ensure appropriate boundaries of time, place and role are maintained when using electronic communication. The professional educator uses technology in a responsible manner by:
The professional educator ensures students’ safety and well-being when using technology by:
The professional educator maintains confidentiality in the use of technology by:
The professional educator promotes the appropriate use of technology in educational settings by:
Promoting technological applications (a) that are appropriate for students’ individual needs, (b) that students understand how to use and (c) that assist and enhance the teaching and learning process. |