of guilt nor shall such notice be admissible State Board of Education Rule 6B-1.
001, FAC
for any purpose in any proceeding, civil
or criminal, administrative or judicial, The Code of Ethics of
investigatory or adjudicatory. In addition,
shall self-report any conviction, finding
The Education Profession
of guilt, withholding of adjudication, in Florida
commitment to a pretrial diversion
program, or entering of a plea of guilty or
Nolo Contendere for any criminal offense
(1) The educator values the worth and dignity of
every person, the pursuit of truth, devotion to
The Code of Ethics
excellence, acquisition of knowledge, and the
other than a minor traffic violation within
48 hours after the final judgement. When nurture of democratic citizenship. Essential
to the achievement of these standards are
and
handling sealed and expunged records
disclosed under this rule, school districts
shall comply with the confidentiality
the freedom to learn and to teach and the
guarantee of equal opportunity for all.
The Principles of
provisions of Sections 943.0585(4)(c) and
943.059(4)(c), Florida Statutes.
(2) The educator’s primary professional concern
will always be for the student and for the
Professional Conduct
(n) Shall report to appropriate authorities
any known allegation of a violation of
development of the student’s potential. The
educator will therefore strive for professional of The Education
the Florida School Code or State Board growth and will seek to exercise the best
of Education Rules as defined in Section
1012.795(1), Florida Statutes.
professional judgement and integrity. Profession in Florida
(3) Aware of the importance of maintaining the
(o) Shall seek no reprisal against any individual respect and confidence of one’s colleagues, of
who has reported any allegation of a students, of parents, and of other members of
violation of the Florida School Code or the community, the educator strives to achieve
State Board of Education Rules as defined and sustain the highest degree of ethical
in Section 1012.795(1), Florida Statutes. conduct.
(p) Shall comply with the conditions of
Adams v. State of Florida Professional
an order of the Education Practices
Practices Council, 406 So 2nd 1170 Fla.
Commission. 1st DCA 1981
(q) Shall, as the supervising administrator, Professionalism Through Integrity
cooperate with the Education Practices “By virtue of their leadership
Commission in monitoring the probation
of a subordinate.
capacity, teachers are
traditionally held to a high
moral standard in
a community.”
For further information call or write:
Bureau of Educator Recruitment,
Development and Retention
325 West Gaines Street, Suite 124 Florida Department of Education
Tallahassee, FL 32399 www.fldoe.org
(850)245-0441, SUNCOM 205-0441
State Board of Education Rule 6B-1.006, FAC (h) Shall not exploit a relationship with a the orderly processes of education or which
student for personal gain or advantage. creates a hostile, intimidating, abusive,
The Principles of Professional
(i) Shall keep in confidence personally offensive, or oppressive environment; and
further, shall make reasonable effort to
Conduct of The Education
identifiable information obtained in the
assure that each individual is protected
course of professional service, unless
Profession in Florida
disclosure serves professional purposes or from such harassment or discrimination.
is required by law. (e) Shall not make malicious or intentionally
(1) The following disciplinary rule shall constitute
false statements about a colleague.
the Principles of Professional Conduct of the (4) Obligation to the public requires that the
Education Profession in Florida. individual: (f) Shall not use coercive means or promise
special treatment to influence professional
(2) Violation of any of these principles shall (a) Shall take reasonable precautions to
judgement of colleagues.
subject the individual to revocation or distinguish between personal views and
suspension of the individual educator’s those of any educational institution or (g) Shall not misrepresent one’s own
certificate, or the other penalties as provided organization with which the individual is professional qualifications.
by law. affiliated. (h) Shall not submit fraudulent information
(b) Shall not intentionally distort or misrepresent on any document in connection with
(3) Obligation to the student requires that the
facts concerning an educational matter in professional activities.
individual:
direct or indirect public expression. (i) Shall not make any fraudulent statement or
(a) Shall make reasonable effort to protect
(c) Shall not use institutional privileges for fail to disclose a material fact in one’s own
the student from conditions harmful to
personal gain or advantage. or another’s application for a professional
learning and/or to the student’s mental
position.
and/or physical health and/or safety. (d) Shall accept no gratuity, gift, or favor that
might influence professional judgement. (j) Shall not withhold information regarding
(b) Shall not unreasonably restrain a student
a position from an applicant or
from independent action in pursuit of (e) Shall offer no gratuity, gift, or favor to
misrepresent an assignment or conditions
learning. obtain special advantages.
of employment.
(c) Shall not unreasonably deny a student (5) Obligation to the profession of education (k) Shall provide upon the request of the
access to diverse points of view. requires that the individual: certificated individual, a written statement
(d) Shall not intentionally suppress or distort (a) Shall maintain honesty in all professional of specific reason for recommendations
subject matter relevant to a student’s dealings. that lead to the denial of increments,
academic program. (b) Shall not on the basis of race, color, religion, significant changes in employment, or
(e) Shall not intentionally expose a student sex, age, national or ethnic origin, political termination of employment.
to unnecessar y embarrassment or beliefs, marital status, handicapping (l) Shall not assist entry into or continuance
disparagement. condition if otherwise qualified, or social in the profession of any person known to
(f) Shall not intentionally violate or deny a and family background deny to a colleague be unqualified in accordance with these
student’s legal rights. professional benefits or advantages Principles of Professional Conduct of the
or participation in any professional Education Profession in Florida and other
(g) Shall not harass or discriminate against any organization. applicable Florida Statutes and State Board
student on the basis of race, color, religion, of Education Rules.
sex, age, national or ethnic origin, political (c) Shall not interfere with a colleague’s
beliefs, marital status, handicapping exercise of political or civil rights and (m) Shall self-report within 48 hours to
condition, sexual orientation, or social responsibilities. appropriate authorities (as determined
and family background and shall make (d) Shall not engage in harassment or by district) any arrests/charges involving
reasonable effort to assure that each discriminatory conduct which unreasonably the abuse of a child or the sale and/or
student is protected from harassment or interferes with an individual’s performance of possession of a controlled substance. Such
discrimination. professional or work responsibilities or with notice shall not be considered an admission
