Code of Ethics in Education
REPORTING EDUCATOR MISCONDUCT
Florida Statutes
1.Florida Statutes s. 1006.061 states all employees and agents of the district school board, charter schools and private schools that accept
scholarship students, have an obligation to report misconduct by an instructional personnel member or school administrator.
2.Florida Statutes s. 1012.33 outlines disciplinary procedures regarding district employment contracts with instructional personnel staff, supervisors and school principals.
3.Florida Statutes s. 1012.795 provides the Education Practices Commission the authority to issue disciplinary action against an individual’s Florida Educator certificate.
4.Florida Statutes s. 1012.796 provides authority for the Department of Education to investigate and prosecute allegations of educator misconduct.
5.Florida Statute s. 1012.01 defines public school instructional personnel, administrative personnel, school volunteers, education support employees and managers.
6.State Board of Education Rule 6B-1.001 defines the Code of Ethics of the Education Profession in Florida.
7.State Board of Education Rule 6B-1.006 defines the Principals of Professional Conduct of the Education Profession in
Florida.
HOW TO REPORT MISCONDUCT
HOW TO REPORT MISCONDUCT by Instructional Personnel and Administrator
1.All employees, educational support employees, and administrators have an obligation to report misconduct by instructional personnel and school administrators, which affects the health, safety, or welfare of a student. Examples of misconduct include obscene language, drug and alcohol use, disparaging comments, prejudice or bigotry, sexual innuendo, cheating or testing violations, physical aggression, and accepting or offering favors.
2.Report allegations or suspicion of misconduct by an instructional personnel member to your school administrator - Denise A. Aiello riverlandchristianacademy@gmail.com
3.Report allegations or suspicion of misconduct by your school administrator to school president - Pastor Rex Carringer pastor.rex@riverlandbaptistchurch.com
4.Document the activities or details of the event.
5.Secure evidence (if applicable)
If someone tells you about misconduct, be a LEADER:
- Listen
- Evaluate
- Act immediately
- Document
- Encourage
- Report
WHO SHOULD REPORT MISCONDUCT?
1.All employees and agents of a district school board, charter school or private school have a duty to report misconduct.
2.If you are aware of or observe misconduct -- REPORT IT IMMEDIATELY!
WHO SHOULD YOU REPORT?
- Classroom teachers
2. Paraprofessionals
3. Substitute teachers
4. Librarians, guidance counselors and social workers
5. Career specialists and school psychologists
6. Principals, Assistant Principals and Deans
Failure to Report Misconduct
- Written Reprimand
2. Suspension with or without pay
3. Termination of employment
4. Discipline/Sanctions on an educator’s certificate
The following behavior may be indicative of misconduct:
1. Being alone with a student in dark or closed room or secluded area.
2. Behaving in an overly friendly or familiar way or failing to maintain an appropriate professional boundary with a student.
3. Using forceful or unnecessary physical contact with a student.
4. Administering discipline not compliant with district policy.
5. Accepting or offering of gifts for return of a favor or privilege from students or colleagues.
6. Badgering or habitually teasing a student.
7. Mocking or belittling a student.
8. Chronically embarrassing a student.
9. Displaying prejudice or bigotry against a student.
10. Suspicion of being under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
11. failing to properly supervise students or to ensure student safety.
12. Cheating, falsifying information or testing violations.
13. Retaliating against a student or colleague for reporting misconduct.
14. Bantering or engaging in colloquial or slang communications with a student.
15. Directing or using profane, offensive, or explosive language in the presence of students.
16. Making lewd or suggestive comments or overtures toward a student or colleague.
Apply the Litmus Test
- If you feel uncomfortable.
2. If you question the person’s motives or actions.
3. If you are unsure, protect the students and yourself, and report.
Employee Training
All instructional personnel, education support employees, and administrators are required as a condition of employment at Riverland Christian Academy, to complete mandatory training on these standards of Ethical conduct. Legally sufficient allegations of misconduct by Florida educators will be reported to the Office of Professional Practices Services. Policies and procedures for reporting misconduct of instructional personnel or school administrators that affects the health, safety, or welfare of a student are posted in the School Office.
Legally sufficient allegations of misconduct by Florida educators will be reported to the Office of Professional Practices Services. Policies and procedures for reporting misconduct of instructional personnel or school administrators that affects the health, safety, or welfare of a student are posted in the School Office.
Reporting Child Abuse, Abandonment or Neglect
All employees and agents have an affirmative duty to report all actual or suspected cases of child abuse, abandonment, or neglect. Call 1-800-96-ABUSE or report online a: http://www.dcf.state.fl.us/abuse/ report/.
• Signs of physical abuse- the child may have unexplained bruises, welts, cuts, or other injuries, broken bones or burns. A child experiencing physical abuse may seem withdrawn or depressed, seem afraid to go home or may run away, shy away from physical contact, be aggressive, or wear inappropriate clothing to hide injuries.
• Signs of sexual abuse - The child may have torn clothing and trouble walking or sitting, complain of pain in the genital area. A child experiencing sexual abuse may have unusual knowledge of intimacy or act seductively, fear a particular person, seem withdrawn or depressed, gain or lose weight suddenly, shy away from physical contact, or run away from home.
• Signs of neglect - The child may have unattended medical needs, little or no supervision at home, poor hygiene, or appear underweight. A child experiencing neglect may be frequently tired or hungry, steal food, or appear overly needy for adult attention.
• Patterns of Abuse - Serious abuse usually involves a combination of factors. While a single sign may not be significant, a pattern of physical or behavioral signs is a serious indicator and should be reported.
Liability Protection
Any person, official, or institution participating in good faith in any act authorized or required by law or reporting in good faith any instance of child abuse, abandonment, or neglect to the department or any law enforcement agency, shall be immune from any civil or criminal liability which might otherwise result by reason of such action. (F.S. 39.203)
An employer who discloses information about a former or current employee to a prospective employer of the former or current employee upon request of the prospective employer or of the former or current employee is immune from civil liability for such disclosure or its consequences unless it is shown by clear and convincing evidence that the information disclosed by the former or current employer was knowingly false or violated any civil right of the former or current employee protected under F.S. Chapter 760. (F.S. 768.095) child abuse, abandonment, or neglect to the department or any law enforcement agency, shall be immune from any civil or criminal liability which might
otherwise result by reason of such action. (F.S. 39.203) An employer who discloses information about a former or current employee to a prospective employer of the former or current employee upon request of the prospective employer or of the former or current employee is
immune from civil liability for such disclosure or its consequences unless it is shown by clear and convincing evidence that the information disclosed by the former or current employer was knowingly false or violated any civil right of the former or current employee protected under F.S. Chapter 760. (F.S. 768.095)
