PREPARING FOR THE TEACHER PROJECT

This project is designed to evaluate your knowledge of The Teacher.  You will apply your knowledge of the role and expectations of the professional educator to the characteristics and ethical behaviors learned in the coursework. This project is aligned with Standard 6D of the Texas Approved Educator Standards.

Project 700.1 The Teacher: Responding to Ethical Dilemmas

As you have learned in this course, teachers serve as role models and your conduct, both on and off the job, can significantly impact your professional image. In this project, you are to read each scenario and answer the questions that follow. Your answers should be written in paragraph form and the overall project should be at least two pages. It is highly recommended that you use the Grading

Rubric

download

as a guide.
You will be graded on the following criteria:

1. Identification of the behavior
2. Standard cited using the Standard number, letter and the exact language of the standard
3. The justification for your responses
4. Alternative behavior to avoid the ethical dilemma
5. Paper is professionally written, evaluated for structure, organization, and mechanics

Steps

Select either the set of

Elementary Ethical Dilemmas

downloador the

Secondary Ethical Dilemmas.

download

For each scenario (4), you are to write a short paragraph (at least 1/2 page) that will:

• Identify the ethical behavior/dilemma,
• Cite the standard of professional behavior from the Code of Ethics downloadthe action violates using the number and letter,
• Provide justification for your selection of the standard, and
• Describe an alternate behavior that is detailed and appropriate to take in that situation.

You are expected to use professional language, spelling, and grammar.

Submission

When you are ready to submit your assignment click the Submit Assignment button. Be sure to refer to the rubric for more detailed information about fulfilling the expectations of this assignment. When you receive a passing score, return to the home page and select the “Course Complete” page to conclude this course and post the completion date to your transcript. Do not take this step until you have received a passing grade.  Doing so will remove you from the course and if you have not passed will delay your completion.

Please allow 3 – 5 days for scoring.

Rubric

Applying Teaching and Learning Project – The TeacherApplying Teaching and Learning Project – The TeacherCriteriaRatingsPtsThis criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeIdentification of Behavior8 ptsEXEMPLARYBehavior that is or could be an issue is explicitly identified from each scenario.6 ptsPROFICIENTBehavior that is or could be an issue is generally identified from each scenario.4 ptsDEVELOPINGBehavior that is or could be an issue is too vague or not identified for each scenario.8 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeCode of Ethics Cited8 ptsEXEMPLARYStandards are explicitly cited by Number, letter, and roman numeral.6 ptsPROFICIENTStandards are cited by a general description.4 ptsDEVELOPINGStandards are not correctly cited for most of the scenarios.8 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeJustification8 ptsEXEMPLARYA coherent and cogent statement is provided that explicitly and clearly aligns and connects the behavior to the standard believed to be violated.6 ptsPROFICIENTJustification is provided but it doesn’t explicitly align and connect the behavior to the standard believed to be violated.4 ptsDEVELOPINGJustification is not provided, or it doesn’t align and connect the behavior to the standard believed to be violated.8 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeALTERNATIVE BEHAVIOR8 ptsEXEMPLARYIntern provides a detailed and appropriate approach that could be taken by the teachers in the scenario, so no standards are violated.6 ptsPROFICIENTIntern provides a general description of an alternative approach that could be taken by the teachers in the scenario, so no standards are violated.4 ptsDEVELOPINGIntern does not provide a different approach that could be taken by the teachers in the scenario, so no standards are violated.8 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeSPELLING AND GRAMMAR8 ptsEXEMPLARYWriting is professional quality, with fewer than 2 spelling or grammar mistakes.6 ptsPROFICIENTThere are 3 to 6 issues with grammar and spelling, but the writing is still up to an adequate professional standard.4 ptsDEVELOPINGThere are more than 6 issues with spelling and/or grammar, or the quality of the writing is not up to a professional standard.8 pts
Total Points: 40 

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TITLE 19 EDUCATION
PART 7 STATE BOARD FOR EDUCATOR CERTIFICATION
CHAPTER 247 EDUCATORS’ CODE OF ETHICS
RULE §247.1 Purpose and Scope; Definitions

(a) In compliance with the Texas Education Code, §21.041(b)(8), the State Board for Educator
Certification (SBEC) adopts an Educators’ Code of Ethics as set forth in §247.2 of this title (relating to
Code of Ethics and Standard Practices for Texas Educators). The SBEC may amend the ethics code in
the same manner as any other formal rule.

(b) The Texas educator shall comply with standard practices and ethical conduct toward students,
professional colleagues, school officials, parents, and members of the community and shall safeguard
academic freedom. The Texas educator, in maintaining the dignity of the profession, shall respect and
obey the law, demonstrate personal integrity, and exemplify honesty and good moral character. The
Texas educator, in exemplifying ethical relations with colleagues, shall extend just and equitable
treatment to all members of the profession. The Texas educator, in accepting a position of public trust,
shall measure success by the progress of each student toward realization of his or her potential as an
effective citizen. The Texas educator, in fulfilling responsibilities in the community, shall cooperate
with parents and others to improve the public schools of the community. This chapter shall apply to
educators and candidates for certification.

(c) The SBEC is solely responsible for enforcing the Educators’ Code of Ethics for purposes related to
certification disciplinary proceedings. The Educators’ Code of Ethics is enforced through the
disciplinary procedure set forth in Chapter 249 of this title (relating to Disciplinary Proceedings,
Sanctions, and Contested Cases) pursuant to the purposes stated therein.

(d) As provided in §249.5 of this title (relating to Purpose), the primary goals the SBEC seeks to
achieve in educator disciplinary matters are:

(1) to protect the safety and welfare of Texas schoolchildren and school personnel;

(2) to ensure educators and applicants are morally fit and worthy to instruct or to supervise the youth
of the state; and

(3) to fairly and efficiently resolve educator disciplinary proceedings at the least expense possible to
the parties and the state.

(e) The following words, terms, and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the following
meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

(1) Abuse–Includes the following acts or omissions:

(A) mental or emotional injury to a student or minor that results in an observable and material
impairment in the student’s or minor’s development, learning, or psychological functioning;

(B) causing or permitting a student or minor to be in a situation in which the student or minor

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sustains a mental or emotional injury that results in an observable and material impairment in the
student’s or minor’s development, learning, or psychological functioning;

(C) physical injury that results in substantial harm to a student or minor, or the genuine threat of
substantial harm from physical injury to the student or minor, including an injury that is at variance
with the history or explanation given and excluding an accident or reasonable discipline; or

(D) sexual conduct harmful to a student’s or minor’s mental, emotional, or physical welfare.

(2) Applicant–A party seeking any of the following from the Texas Education Agency staff or the
State Board for Educator Certification: issuance of a certificate (including issuance of a new certificate
following revocation, cancellation, or surrender of a previously issued certificate); renewal of a
certificate; or reinstatement of a suspended certificate.

(3) Code of Ethics–The Code of Ethics and Standards of Practices for Texas Educators, pursuant to
this chapter.

(4) Complaint–A written statement submitted to the Texas Education Agency staff that contains
essential facts alleging improper conduct by an educator, applicant, or examinee, and provides grounds
for sanctions.

(5) Contested case–A proceeding under Chapter 249 of this title (relating to Disciplinary Proceedings,
Sanctions, and Contested Cases) in which the legal rights, duties, and privileges of a party are to be
determined by the State Board for Educator Certification after an opportunity for an adjudicative
hearing.

(6) Disciplinary proceedings–Contested case proceedings before the Texas Education Agency staff,
the State Office of Administrative Hearings, and the State Board for Educator Certification that
commence when a request for hearing is timely filed under Chapter 249 of this title (relating to
Disciplinary Proceedings, Sanctions, and Contested Cases).

(7) Educator–A person who is required to hold a certificate issued under the Texas Education Code,
Chapter 21, Subchapter B.

(8) Endanger–Exposure of a student or minor to unjustified risk of injury or to injury that jeopardizes
the physical health or safety of the student or minor without regard to whether there has been an actual
injury to the student or minor.

(9) Good moral character–The virtues of a person as evidenced, at a minimum, by his or her not
having committed crimes relating directly to the duties and responsibilities of the education profession
as described in §249.16(b) of this title (relating to Eligibility of Persons with Criminal Convictions for
a Certificate under Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 53) or acts involving moral turpitude.

(10) Intentionally–An educator acts intentionally, or with intent, with respect to the nature of his or
her conduct or to a result of his or her conduct when it is his or her conscious objective or desire to
engage in the conduct or cause the result.

(11) Knowingly–An educator acts knowingly, or with knowledge, with respect to the nature of his or
her conduct or to circumstances surrounding his or her conduct when he or she is aware of the nature of
the conduct or that the circumstances exist. A person acts knowingly, or with knowledge, with respect

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to a result of his or her conduct when he or she is aware that the conduct is reasonably certain to cause
the result.

(12) Minor–A person under 18 years of age.

(13) Moral turpitude–Improper conduct including, but not limited to, the following: dishonesty; fraud;
deceit; theft; misrepresentation; deliberate violence; base, vile, or depraved acts that are intended to
arouse or to gratify the sexual desire of the actor; drug or alcohol related offenses as described in
§249.16(b) of this title (relating to Eligibility of Persons with Criminal Convictions for a Certificate
under Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 53); or acts constituting abuse or neglect under the Texas
Family Code, §261.001.

(14) Neglect–The placing or leaving of a student or minor in a situation where the student or minor
would be exposed to a substantial risk of physical or mental harm.

(15) Recklessly–An educator acts recklessly, or is reckless, with respect to circumstances surrounding
his or her conduct or the results of his or her conduct when he or she is aware of but consciously
disregards a substantial and unjustifiable risk that the circumstances exist or the result will occur.

(16) Sanction–

(A) a disciplinary action by the State Board for Educator Certification, including a restriction,
reprimand, suspension, surrender, or revocation of a certificate; or

(B) a reasonable and lawful punitive measure imposed by the administrative law judge or presiding
officer against a party, representative, or other participant involved in a disciplinary proceeding,
hearing, or other matter under Chapter 249 of this title (relating to Disciplinary Proceedings, Sanctions,
and Contested Cases).

(17) State Board for Educator Certification–The State Board for Educator Certification acting through
its voting members in a decision-making capacity.

(18) State Board for Educator Certification member(s)–One or more of the members of the State
Board for Educator Certification, appointed and qualified under the Texas Education Code, §21.033.

(19) Student–A person enrolled in a primary or secondary school, whether public, private, or charter,
regardless of the person’s age, or a person 18 years of age or younger who is eligible to be enrolled in a
primary or secondary school, whether public, private, or charter.

(20) Texas Education Agency staff–Staff of the Texas Education Agency assigned by the
commissioner of education to perform the State Board for Educator Certification’s administrative
functions and services.

(21) Worthy to instruct or to supervise the youth of this state–Presence of those moral, mental, and
psychological qualities that are required to enable an educator to render the service essential to the
accomplishment of the goals and mission of the State Board for Educator Certification policy and this
chapter. “Unworthy to instruct” serves as a basis for sanctions under §249.15(b)(2) of this title (relating
to Disciplinary Action by State Board for Educator Certification) and is not limited to specific criminal
convictions.

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TITLE 19 EDUCATION
PART 7 STATE BOARD FOR EDUCATOR CERTIFICATION
CHAPTER 247 EDUCATORS’ CODE OF ETHICS
RULE §247.2 Code of Ethics and Standard Practices for Texas Educators

Enforceable Standards.

(1) Professional Ethical Conduct, Practices and Performance.

(A) Standard 1.1. The educator shall not intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly engage in deceptive
practices regarding official policies of the school district, educational institution, educator preparation
program, the Texas Education Agency, or the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) and its
certification process.

(B) Standard 1.2. The educator shall not knowingly misappropriate, divert, or use monies, personnel,
property, or equipment committed to his or her charge for personal gain or advantage.

(C) Standard 1.3. The educator shall not submit fraudulent requests for reimbursement, expenses, or
pay.

(D) Standard 1.4. The educator shall not use institutional or professional privileges for personal or
partisan advantage.

(E) Standard 1.5. The educator shall neither accept nor offer gratuities, gifts, or favors that impair
professional judgment or to obtain special advantage. This standard shall not restrict the acceptance of
gifts or tokens offered and accepted openly from students, parents of students, or other persons or
organizations in recognition or appreciation of service.

(F) Standard 1.6. The educator shall not falsify records, or direct or coerce others to do so.

(G) Standard 1.7. The educator shall comply with state regulations, written local school board
policies, and other state and federal laws.

(H) Standard 1.8. The educator shall apply for, accept, offer, or assign a position or a responsibility
on the basis of professional qualifications.

(I) Standard 1.9. The educator shall not make threats of violence against school district employees,
school board members, students, or parents of students.

(J) Standard 1.10. The educator shall be of good moral character and be worthy to instruct or
supervise the youth of this state.

(K) Standard 1.11. The educator shall not intentionally or knowingly misrepresent his or her
employment history, criminal history, and/or disciplinary record when applying for subsequent
employment.

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(L) Standard 1.12. The educator shall refrain from the illegal use or distribution of controlled
substances and/or abuse of prescription drugs and toxic inhalants.

(M) Standard 1.13. The educator shall not consume alcoholic beverages on school property or during
school activities when students are present.

(2) Ethical Conduct Toward Professional Colleagues.

(A) Standard 2.1. The educator shall not reveal confidential health or personnel information
concerning colleagues unless disclosure serves lawful professional purposes or is required by law.

(B) Standard 2.2. The educator shall not harm others by knowingly making false statements about a
colleague or the school system.

(C) Standard 2.3. The educator shall adhere to written local school board policies and state and
federal laws regarding the hiring, evaluation, and dismissal of personnel.

(D) Standard 2.4. The educator shall not interfere with a colleague’s exercise of political,
professional, or citizenship rights and responsibilities.

(E) Standard 2.5. The educator shall not discriminate against or coerce a colleague on the basis of
race, color, religion, national origin, age, gender, disability, family status, or sexual orientation.

(F) Standard 2.6. The educator shall not use coercive means or promise of special treatment in order
to influence professional decisions or colleagues.

(G) Standard 2.7. The educator shall not retaliate against any individual who has filed a complaint
with the SBEC or who provides information for a disciplinary investigation or proceeding under this
chapter.

(3) Ethical Conduct Toward Students.

(A) Standard 3.1. The educator shall not reveal confidential information concerning students unless
disclosure serves lawful professional purposes or is required by law.

(B) Standard 3.2. The educator shall not intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly treat a student or
minor in a manner that adversely affects or endangers the learning, physical health, mental health, or
safety of the student or minor.

(C) Standard 3.3. The educator shall not intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly misrepresent facts
regarding a student.

(D) Standard 3.4. The educator shall not exclude a student from participation in a program, deny
benefits to a student, or grant an advantage to a student on the basis of race, color, gender, disability,
national origin, religion, family status, or sexual orientation.

(E) Standard 3.5. The educator shall not intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly engage in physical
mistreatment, neglect, or abuse of a student or minor.

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Next Page Previous Page

(F) Standard 3.6. The educator shall not solicit or engage in sexual conduct or a romantic relationship
with a student or minor.

(G) Standard 3.7. The educator shall not furnish alcohol or illegal/unauthorized drugs to any person
under 21 years of age unless the educator is a parent or guardian of that child or knowingly allow any
person under 21 years of age unless the educator is a parent or guardian of that child to consume
alcohol or illegal/unauthorized drugs in the presence of the educator.

(H) Standard 3.8. The educator shall maintain appropriate professional educator-student relationships
and boundaries based on a reasonably prudent educator standard.

(I) Standard 3.9. The educator shall refrain from inappropriate communication with a student or
minor, including, but not limited to, electronic communication such as cell phone, text messaging,
email, instant messaging, blogging, or other social network communication. Factors that may be
considered in assessing whether the communication is inappropriate include, but are not limited to:

(i) the nature, purpose, timing, and amount of the communication;

(ii) the subject matter of the communication;

(iii) whether the communication was made openly or the educator attempted to conceal the
communication;

(iv) whether the communication could be reasonably interpreted as soliciting sexual contact or a
romantic relationship;

(v) whether the communication was sexually explicit; and

(vi) whether the communication involved discussion(s) of the physical or sexual attractiveness or
the sexual history, activities, preferences, or fantasies of either the educator or the student.

Source Note: The provisions of this §247.2 adopted to be effective March 1, 1998, 23 TexReg 1022;
amended to be effective August 22, 2002, 27 TexReg 7530; amended to be effective December 26,
2010, 35 TexReg 11242

List of Titles Back to List

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• purp
• CODE OF ETHICS

CODE OF ETHICS

SECONDARYETHICS DILEMMAS

SCENARIO 1: Immediately after she graduated college, Coach Parnell began coaching volleyball, track, and soccer and

teaching Algebra I and II at Deer Springs High School. She has been there for almost 3 years. In early May, Coach Parnell

joined a dating app that locates singles in the area. Not long after joining, a 19-year-old senior at Deer Springs HS, saw

Coach Parnell’s dating profile and indicated, via the app, that he would be interested in going out on a date with her.

When she saw this, Coach Parnell, sent the student a message stating that, even though he was 19, she could not date

him until after graduation in less than a month. The student responded, letting her know that he couldn’t wait take her

out on a date, and the two decided to set up a time to meet for dinner the day after graduation ceremonies. Coach

Parnell let the student know that there could be no further communication between the two of them until then, and

that he couldn’t tell anyone about the conversation they’d had so far. She let him know that she was excited to be able

to go out with him, but she could not pursue anything further until the date they had set up. This student had never

been in Coach Parnell’s Algebra class, nor had he played any of the sports that she coached. As planned, the day after

graduation, Coach Parnell and the now former Deer Springs High School student went out on a date and continued to

see each other for the next 8 months.

1. Identify the behaviors (if any) that you believe violate standards in the Educator Code of Ethics.

2. Which standards do you think were violated? Explain your reasoning. If you feel that no standards were

violated, explain your reasoning.

3. Should Coach Parnell have handled this situation differently so as not to violate the Code of Ethics, or (if you

feel that there was no violation) to avoid their actions being called into question?

SCENARIO 2: Mr. Shanfeld is a Language Arts teacher at Bayshore Middle School. For the last several years he has been

the director of the annual 8th grade trip to Washington D.C. Unhappy with the quality of the different tour companies

that the district has used in the past, Mr. Shanfeld decides to start his own tour company that specializes in school field

trips to Washington D.C. This is something that he will be doing in his spare time, and he has informed HR of this

business venture, so that he is acting in accordance with the district policy regarding second jobs for teachers.

The bids to be the tour company used by the district is often very competitive, but – because he knows several people at

the administration building – he is able to secure the bid without much convincing. There is a formal process for students

applying to the trip, and the criteria for selection is set by the school district and the principal of each middle school. The

trip is often cost prohibitive for some families due to the $700 price tag, though the PTA offers 5 scholarships each year

for students whose families cannot pay. Mr. Shanfeld is still the director for the field trip for Bayshore Middle School,

and now he is also the owner of the tour company the school will be using.

A student who Mr. Shanfeld really hoped would go on the trip missed the deadline for applying, and after speaking to his

parents, Mr. Shanfeld realizes that the reason is due to temporary financial issues. It is too late for the student to apply

for one of the PTA scholarships, but Mr. Shanfeld and the parents work out a deal where they will provide him with free

landscaping services for the next year if he can help them get their son a spot on the trip. Mr. Shanfeld agrees, and since

it is his company, he can and does secure a spot for the student.

1. Identify the behaviors (if any) that you believe violate standards in the Educator Code of Ethics.

2. Which standards do you think were violated? Explain your reasoning. If you feel that no standards were

violated, explain your reasoning.

3. Should Mr. Shanfeld have handled this situation differently so as not to violate the Code of Ethics, or (if you

feel that there was no violation) to avoid his actions being called into question?

SCENARIO 3: Alicia is an 11th grade student at T. H. Berry High School, and is one of the star athletes on the basketball

team. Berry is known for its outstanding athletics, and many of the teams make the playoffs every school year, with over

10 state titles in different sports in the 14 years since the school opened. Alicia struggles academically in English and she

has not been able to bring her average above a 68 by the end of the grading period, as is required by UIL rules. Knowing

that this means that the team will lose one of its star players for much of the season, Coach Mitchell pleads Alicia’s case

to Ms. Johnston, Alicia’s English teacher. Because Ms. Johnston’s daughter is also on the team, Coach Mitchell feels

confident that she will be easily persuaded to ensure Alicia is able to play.

Coach Mitchell explains how important Alicia’s participation is for the team and for the school, and she assures Ms.

Johnston that she will personally guarantee that Alicia attends tutoring before and after school until she is able to

improve her grade for the next grading period, if Ms. Johnston will agree to change her grade to a 70 just this once. The

coach also vaguely implies that Ms. Johnston’s daughter will get more playing time if Alicia’s grade is changed. Ms.

Johnston agrees to change Alicia’s grade to a 70, and to keep their conversation quiet, so that other students and

administrators will not find out.

1. Identify the behaviors (if any) that you believe violate standards in the Educator Code of Ethics.

2. Which standards do you think were violated? Explain your reasoning. If you feel that no standards were

violated, explain your reasoning.

3. Should Coach Mitchell and/or Ms. Johnston have handled this situation differently so as not to violate the

Code

of Ethics, or (if you feel that there was no violation) to avoid their actions being called into question?

SCENARIO 4: The Life Skills classroom at Hasting High provides Community Based Instruction to its small group of

students with severe disabilities. The district provides some funds for transportation and community outings, but it isn’t

usually enough to keep the students busy throughout the school year. To help with the funds, the principal allows the

students, with the support of the teachers, to sell breakfast items to the school three days a week. This fundraiser

becomes very popular with the rest of the student body because the breakfast items are inexpensive, delivered straight

to their 1st period classes, and they get to feel good about helping the Life Skills classroom in a positive way.

Ever since the Life Skills fundraising began, the Student Council sponsor, Mrs. Sumner, has noticed that support for their

daily candy fundraiser has declined, and she believes it is due to the popularity of the breakfast items being sold. One

day she notices a Life Skills student and one of the teachers, Mr. Moore, out making deliveries and collecting money. The

student is clearly struggling with handling the money, so Mr. Moore helps her by taking some of the money and putting

it into his own pocket. Mrs. Sumner sees only this small interaction and has no other context for the exchange.

Later that day, when speaking to a group of other teachers she mentions seeing Mr. Moore putting some of the

breakfast fundraiser money into his pocket. Over the next several days, this comment makes its way through the faculty,

and when she is questioned by other faculty members, Mrs. Sumner’s response is that she did see Mr. Moore pocket the

money, but she doesn’t know what he did with it after that. In the same conversations, she also casually mentions the

expensive new car Mr. Moore recently started driving.

1. Identify the behaviors (if any) that you believe violate standards in the Educator Code of Ethics.
2. Which standards do you think were violated? Explain your reasoning. If you feel that no standards were
violated, explain your reasoning.

3. Should Mr. Moore and/or Mrs. Sumner have handled this situation differently so as not to violate the Code

of Ethics, or (if you feel that there was no violation) to avoid their actions being called into question?