Code of Professional Practice and Conduct for Educators
Section 1. Mission
The Professional Standards and Practices Commission is committed to providing
leadership for improving the quality of education in this Commonwealth by
establishing high standards for preparation, certification, practice and
ethical conduct in the teaching profession.
Section 2. Introduction
(a) Professional conduct defines interactions between the individual educator
and students, the employing agencies and other professionals. Generally, the
responsibility for professional conduct rests with the individual professional
educator. However, in this Commonwealth, a Code of Professional Practice and
Conduct (Code) for certificated educators is required by statute and violation
of specified sections of the Code may constitute a basis for public or private
reprimand. Violations of the Code may also be used as supporting evidence,
though may not constitute an independent basis, for the suspension or
revocation of a certificate. The Professional Standards and Practices
Commission (PSPC) was charged by the act of December 12, 1973 (P. L. 397, No.
141) (24 P. S. § § 12-1251 - 12-1268), known as the Teacher Certification Law,
with adopting a Code by July 1, 1991. See 24 P. S. § 12-1255(a)(10).
(b) This chapter makes explicit the values of the education profession. When
individuals become educators in this Commonwealth, they make a moral commitment
to uphold these values.
Section 3. Purpose
(a) Professional educators in this Commonwealth believe that the quality of
their services directly influences the Nation and its citizens. Professional
educators recognize their obligation to provide services and to conduct
themselves in a manner which places the highest esteem on human rights and
dignity. Professional educators seek to ensure that every student receives the
highest quality of service and that every professional maintains a high level
of competence from entry through ongoing professional development. Professional
educators are responsible for the development of sound educational policy and
obligated to implement that policy and its programs to the public.
(b) Professional educators recognize their primary responsibility to the
student and the development of the student's potential. Central to that
development is the professional educator's valuing the worth and dignity of
every person, student and colleague alike; the pursuit of truth; devotion to
excellence; acquisition of knowledge; and democratic principles. To those ends,
the educator engages in continuing professional development and keeps current
with research and technology. Educators encourage and support the use of
resources that best serve the interests and needs of students. Within the
context of professional excellence, the educator and student together explore
the challenge and the dignity of the human experience.
Section 4. Practices
(a) Professional practices are behaviors and attitudes that are based on a set
of values that the professional education community believes and accepts. These
values are evidenced by the professional educator's conduct toward students and
colleagues, and the educator's employer and community. When teacher candidates
become professional educators in this Commonwealth, they are expected to abide
by this section.
(b) Professional educators are expected to abide by the following:
(1) Professional educators shall abide by the Public School Code of 1949 (24 P.
S. § § 1-101 - 27-2702), other school laws of the Commonwealth, sections
1201(a)(1), (2) and (4) and (b)(1), (2) and (4) of the Public Employee Relations
Act (43 P. S. § § 1101.1201(a)(1), (2) and (4) and (b)(1), (2) and (4)) and
this chapter.
(2) Professional educators shall be prepared, and legally certified, in their
areas of assignment. Educators may not be assigned or willingly accept
assignments they are not certified to fulfill. Educators may be assigned to or
accept assignments outside their certification area on a temporary, short-term,
emergency basis. Examples: a teacher certified in English filling in a class
period for a physical education teacher who has that day become ill; a
substitute teacher certified in elementary education employed as a librarian
for several days until the district can locate and employ a permanent substitute
teacher certified in library science.
(3) Professional educators shall maintain high levels of competence throughout
their careers.
(4) Professional educators shall exhibit consistent and equitable treatment of
students, fellow educators and parents. They shall respect the civil rights of
all and not discriminate on the basis of race, national or ethnic origin,
culture, religion, sex or sexual orientation, marital status, age, political
beliefs, socioeconomic status, disabling condition or vocational interest. This
list of bases or discrimination is not all-inclusive.
(5) Professional educators shall accept the value of diversity in educational
practice. Diversity requires educators to have a range of methodologies and to
request the necessary tools for effective teaching and learning.
(6) Professional educators shall impart to their students principles of good
citizenship and societal responsibility.
(7) Professional educators shall exhibit acceptable and professional language
and communication skills. Their verbal and written communications with parents,
students and staff shall reflect sensitivity to the fundamental human rights of
dignity, privacy and respect.
(8) Professional educators shall be open-minded, knowledgeable and use
appropriate judgment and communication skills when responding to an issue
within the educational environment.
(9) Professional educators shall keep in confidence information obtained in
confidence in the course of professional service unless required to be
disclosed by law or by clear and compelling professional necessity as
determined by the professional educator.
(10) Professional educators shall exert reasonable effort to protect the
student from conditions which interfere with learning or are harmful to the
student's health and safety.
Section 5. Conduct
Individual professional conduct reflects upon the practices, values, integrity
and reputation of the profession. Violation of § § 235.6-235.11 may constitute
an independent basis for private or public reprimand, and may be used as
supporting evidence in cases of certification suspension and revocation.
Section 6. Legal obligations
(a)The professional educator may not engage in conduct prohibited by the act of
December 12, 1973 (P. L. 397, No. 141) (24 P. S. § § 12-1251-12-1268), known as
the Teacher Certification Law.
(b)The professional educator may not engage in conduct prohibited by:
(1) The Public School Code of 1949 (24 P. S. § § 1-101-27-2702) and other laws
relating to the schools or the education of children.
(2) The applicable laws of the Commonwealth establishing ethics of public
officials and public employees, including the act of October 4, 1978 (P. L. 883,
No. 170) (65 P. S. § § 401-413), known as the Public Official and Employee
Ethics Law.
(c) Violation of subsection (b) shall have been found to exist by an agency of
proper jurisdiction to be considered an independent basis for discipline.
Section 7. Certification
The professional educator may not:
(1) Accept employment, when not properly certificated, in a position for which
certification is required.
(2) Assist entry into or continuance in the education profession of an
unqualified person.
(3) Employ, or recommend for employment, a person who is not certificated
appropriately for the position.
Section 8. Civil Rights
The professional educator may not:
(1) Discriminate on the basis of race, National or ethnic origin, culture,
religion, sex or sexual orientation, marital status, age, political beliefs,
socioeconomic status; disabling condition or vocational interest against a
student or fellow professional. This list of bases of discrimination is not
all-inclusive. This discrimination shall be found to exist by an agency of
proper jurisdiction to be considered an independent basis for discipline.
(2) Interfere with a student's or colleague's exercise of political and civil
rights and responsibilities.
Section 9. Improper personal or financial gain
(1) Accept gratuities, gifts or favors that might impair or appear to impair
professional judgment.
(2) Exploit a professional relationship for personal gain or advantage.
Section 10. Relationships with students
The professional educator may not:
(1) Knowingly and intentionally distort or misrepresent evaluations of
students.
(2) Knowingly and intentionally misrepresent subject matter or curriculum.
(3) Sexually harass or engage in sexual relationships with students.
(4) Knowingly and intentionally withhold evidence from the proper authorities
about violations of the legal obligations as defined within this section.
Section 11. Professional relationships
The professional educator may not:
(1) Knowingly and intentionally deny or impede a colleague in the exercise or
enjoyment of a professional right or privilege in being an educator.
(2) Knowingly and intentionally distort evaluations of colleagues.
(3) Sexually harass a fellow employee.
(4) Use coercive means or promise special treatment to influence professional
decisions of colleagues.
(5) Threaten, coerce or discriminate against a colleague who in good faith
reports or discloses to a governing agency actual or suspected violations of
law, agency regulations or standards.
