Professional & Ethical Practices Flashcards

A teacher discovers that a colleague is falsifying student attendance records. What is the most appropriate first action?

Answer: Report the concern to the principal or appropriate administrator

Teachers have a professional obligation to report unethical conduct, such as falsified records, to the appropriate school authority.

Under Alabama law, which agency is primarily responsible for revoking an educator's certificate for ethical violations?

Answer: The Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE)

The ALSDE has the authority to suspend or revoke educator certificates for violations of professional ethics or law.

A student confides to a teacher that her stepparent hit her hard enough to leave bruises. The teacher should:

Answer: Report the suspected abuse to the appropriate child protective agency immediately

Alabama law mandates that educators report suspected child abuse to the Department of Human Resources (DHR) or law enforcement immediately.

Which of the following best describes the concept of 'in loco parentis' as it applies to Alabama educators?

Answer: Educators assume a parental-like duty of care and supervision over students while at school

'In loco parentis' means educators act in place of parents, carrying a duty of reasonable care and supervision during school hours.

A teacher posts a photo on social media showing students during a classroom activity without parental consent. This action most likely violates:

Answer: FERPA student privacy protections

FERPA protects students' personally identifiable information, and posting identifiable student images without consent constitutes a violation.

Which behavior would most likely constitute a violation of the Alabama Educator Code of Ethics regarding conflicts of interest?

Answer: Selling personal tutoring services to your own current students for pay

Charging personal fees to students currently under a teacher's direct instruction creates a conflict of interest and violates ethical standards.

A new teacher is unsure whether a student's Individualized Education Program (IEP) requires a specific accommodation during a quiz. The best course of action is to:

Answer: Implement the accommodation as specified in the IEP and consult the special education coordinator

IEP accommodations are legally binding; teachers must implement them as written and seek guidance from the special education coordinator if uncertain.