Code of ethics and professional conduct

Code of Ethics & Professional Conduct

The Florida Code of Ethics for the education profession is centered around the needs of the student: the professional is to preserve and promote the dignity of each student, strive for professional growth for the benefit of the learning process, and assure equality for all under the principles of the American democracy. The final element of this ethical code is respect and confidence on the part of the professional as regards all persons involved in the learning and teaching process, including students, colleagues, and the public.

The Florida principles for professional conduct in the education profession specify particular areas of conduct to achieve the ethical goals mentioned above. These principles are divided into three categories: i) the obligation of the professional towards the student; ii) the obligation towards the public; and iii) the obligation to the teaching profession.

Specific examples of the first category include that students should be protected from harm to the learning process or to themselves in any way. Their learning should be promoted by means of equality and dignity, while they should also be given the freedom to obtain alternative viewpoints with regard to specific issues. In terms of the public, values and principles should be kept in mind during the teaching process, while obligation to the profession entails integrity in terms of official documentation as well as towards colleagues.