Ethics and Issues in Education

EDUW 695
Code of Ethics Assignment
Portfolio Entry #9
Jessica Kabat

The code of ethics I chose to evaluate comes from the Association of American

Educators (AAE). The primary purpose of this organization is “to advance the profession by

offering a modern approach to teacher representation and educational advocacy, as well as

promoting professionalism, collaboration and excellence without a partisan agenda.” The AAE’s

code of ethics promotes four main principles: ethical conduct towards students, ethical conduct

towards practices and performance, ethical conduct toward professional colleagues, and ethical

conduct towards parents and the community. Under each principle, there are numbered subsets

with specific guidelines. Within these guidelines, the organization’s purpose is manifested

throughout. This code of ethics refers to educator professionalism as adhering to policies and

laws, and being “accountable and responsible for his or her performance” in addition to seeking

to grow professionally. In reference to collaboration, this code includes a section about treating

other educators with respect and more specifically to protect confidential information about the

educator and to refrain from making false statements about colleagues. Collaboration also

includes communication with parents and to maintain a positive role in the broader community.

One value that stands out most about this organization is the fact that they do not have a political

association. In reference to this value, the code states “the professional educator does not

interfere with a colleague’s freedom of choice and works to eliminate coercion that forces

educators to support actions and ideologies that violate individual professional integrity.” It also

states, “The professional educator does not use institutional or professional privileges for

personal or partisan advantage.” In addition, the code also mentions “The professional educator
responsibly accepts that every child has a right to an uninterrupted education free from strikes or

any other work-stoppage tactics.”

Personally, I think that the AAE presents a well-rounded code of ethics that touches on

each aspect of the professional educator: teacher, colleague, collaborator, and a member of a

larger community. I agree that all educators should follow school policies and laws. Students,

colleagues and parents should be treated with respect. Students’ well-being, health and education

should be a priority and their values and traditions should be respected. Teachers should be a

positive role model and active member of the community. However, I did find a few parts of the

code that I disagreed with. In the overview of the document, it is stated, “The professional

educator responsibly accepts that every child has a right to an uninterrupted education free from

strikes or any other work-stoppage tactics.” This would mean that an educator would not have

the right to go on strike or stand up for issues in education. Teachers have the right to stand up

for what they believe in and find ways to be heard on different platforms. Going on strike has

brought important education issues to light and continues to be a way to bring forth attention and

negotiation. I also disagreed with this statement, found under Principle II, “The professional

educator maintains sound mental health, physical stamina, and social prudence necessary

to perform the duties of any professional assignment.” I agree that physical and mental health is

important, but teachers are under an intense amount of pressure and stress. This is impacting

their mental health, but resources for helping to maintain good mental health are lacking and the

expectations and responsibilities are continuing to pile on the shoulders of the educator. Due to

the stress, many teachers are leaving the profession. It is important to note that healthy teachers

maintain a good classroom environment where learning is fostered, but it is also important to
note that teachers need time to prepare and the resources for students to be successful. This is

often overlooked.

Overall, I think the AAE Code of Ethics would help guide me to make ethical decisions.

The example from my journal entry was about two students who allegedly cheated on a test. A

student came to me and turned them in as she witnessed them begin their test before the timer

started. If following the AAE Code of Ethics, then “the professional educator deals considerately

and justly with each student, and seeks to resolve problems, including discipline, according to

law and school policy.” In this case, I would speak to each student and follow school policy on

cheating. The school policy on cheating is to write an office referral and contact parents about

the incident. Students who cheat lose privileges such as recess and will get taken off of the safety

patrol. They also are required to eat lunch in the office away from their peers for a number of

days set by the principal. The code also states, “The professional educator accepts personal

responsibility for teaching students character qualities that will help them evaluate the

consequences of and accept the responsibility for their actions and choices.” As this is a good

lesson to teach students, I did not personally see these students cheat, which makes this case a

difficult one and begs the question, “is the professional educator treating these students justly?”

With just one student who claimed to see the cheating happening, and the two denying the

accusation, I can’t say that I can justly discipline them according to school policy. Therefore, I

stand by my ethical decision to retest the class.

http://ethics.iit.edu/ecodes/sites/default/files/Association%20of%20American%20Educators%20Code

%20of%20Ethics.pdf