Section 20 AAC 10.020 - Code of ethics and teaching standards(a) The following code of ethical standards governs individual holding a teaching, teaching, administrative, or special services certificate issued under 4 AAC 12, an individual authorized as a student teacher under 4 AAC 30.020, and all other members of the teaching profession. A violation of this section is grounds for discipline as provided in AS 14.20.030.(b) In fulfilling obligations to students, an educator(2) may not deliberately distort, suppress, or deny access to curricular materials or educational information in order to promote the personal view, interest, or goal of the educator;(3) shall make reasonable effort to protect students from conditions harmful to learning or to health and safety;(4) may not engage in (A) physical abuse of a student or sexual conduct with a student and shall report to the commission knowledge of such an act by an educator; or(B) sexual conduct with former student whom the educator taught, supervised, or experienced authority over including in coaching or OH school sponsored activity; the restrictions against sexual conduct in this subparagraph apply to an educator for one year after the student has graduated from or ceased to attend high school and an educator shall report to commission knowledge of such an act by an educator; (5) may not expose a student to unnecessary embarrassment or disparagement;(6) may not harass, discriminate against, or grant a discriminatory advantage to a student on the grounds of race, color, creed, sex, national origin, marital status, political or religious beliefs, physical or mental conditions, family, social, or cultural background, gender identification or sexual orientation; shall make reasonable effort to assure that a student is protected from harassment or discrimination on these grounds; and may not engage in a course of conduct that would encourage a reasonable student to develop a prejudice on these grounds;(7) may not use professional relationships with students for private advantage or gain;(8) shall keep in confidence information that has been obtained in the course of providing professional service, unless disclosure serves a compelling professional purpose or is required by law;(9) shall accord just and equitable treatment to all students as they exercise their educational rights and responsibilities.(c) In fulfilling obligations to the public, an educator(2) shall take reasonable precautions to distinguish between the educator's personal views and those of any educational institution or organization with which the educator is affiliated;(3) shall cooperate in the statewide student assessment system established under 4 AAC 06.710 - 4 AAC 06.790 by (A) safeguarding and maintaining the confidentiality of test materials and information; and(B) and hering to all written rules, policies, procedures, and other requirements established by the department regarding the administration and operation of the statewide student assessment system as set out in 4 AAC 06.761 (test administration) and 4 AAC 06.765 (test security; consequences of breach);(5) may not use institutional privileges for private gain, to promote political candidates, or for partisan political activities;(6) may not accept a gratuity, gift, or favor that might influence or appear to influence professional judgment, and may not offer a gratuity, gift, or favor to obtain special advantage;(7) may not knowingly withhold or misrepresent material information in communicating with the school board regarding a matter before the board for its decision; and(8) may not use or allow the use of district resources for private purposes not related to district programs and operation.(d) In fulfilling obligations to the profession, an educator (1) may not, on the basis of race, color, creed, sex, age, national origin, marital status, political or religious beliefs, physical condition, family, social, or cultural background, gender identification, or sexual orientation, deny to a colleague a professional benefit, advantage, or participation in any professional organization, any may not discriminate in employment practice, assignment, or personnel evaluation;(2) shall accord just and equitable treatment to all members of the treaching profession as set out in AS 14.20.370 in the exercise of their professional rights and responsibilities;(3) may not use coercive means or promise special treatment in order to influence professional decisions of colleagues;(4) may not sexually harass a fellow employee;(5) shall withhold and safeguard information acquired about colleagues in the course of employment, unless disclosure serves a compelling professional purpose;(6) shall provide, upon the request of the affected party, who must be a member of the teaching profession as set out in AS 14.20.370, a written statement of specific reasons for recommendations that led to the denial of increments, significant changes in employment, or termination of employment;(7) may not deliberately misrepresent the educator's or another's professional qualifications;(9) may not falsify a document, or make a misrepresentation on a matter related to (B) employment, including an employment application;(C) employment evaluation;(10) may not intentionally make a false or malicious statement about a colleague's professional performance or conduct;(11) may not intentionally file a false or malicious complaint with the commission;(12) may not seek reprisal against any individual who has filed a complaint, provided testimony, or given other assistance in support of a complaint filed with the commission;(13) shall cooperate fully and honestly in investigations and hearings of the commission;(14) repealed 10/25/2000;(15) may not unlawfully breach a professional employment contract;(16) shall conduct professional business through appropriate channels;(17) may not assign tasks to unqualified personnel;(18) may not continue in or seek professional employment while unfit due to (A) use of drugs or alcohol that impairs the educator's competence or the safety of students or colleagues;(B) physical or mental disability that impairs the educator's competence or the safety of students or colleagues;(19) may not interfere with a colleague's exercise of political or citizenship rights and responsibilities.Eff. 1/30/75, Register 53; am 8/10/80, Register 75; am 6/16/84, Register 90; am 8/5/90, Register 115; am 7/21/91, Register 119; am 7/28/94, Register 131; am 4/8/99, Register 150; am 10/25/2000, Register 156; am 9/27/2017, Register 223, October 2017; am 8/2/2018, Register 227, October 2018Authority:AS 14.20.030
AS 14.20.370
AS 14.20.450
AS 14.20.460
AS 14.20.480