“The primary goal of every educator in the state of Alabama must, at all times, be to provide an environment in which all students can learn.”
- Credit
- 4 hours of professional development
- Format
- 4 modules covering all 9 standards, then a 50-question assessment
- To pass
- 80% or higher, with unlimited retakes
Module 1 of 4
Introduction, purpose, and Standard 1
Why Alabama has an educator code of ethics, what it protects, and the professional conduct expected of every certificate holder.
Introduction
The primary goal of every educator in the state of Alabama must, at all times, be to provide an environment in which all students can learn. In order to accomplish that goal, educators must value the worth and dignity of every person, must have a devotion to excellence in all matters, must actively support the pursuit of knowledge, and must fully participate in the nurturance of a democratic citizenry. To do so requires an adherence to a high ethical standard.
The Alabama Educator Code of Ethics defines the professional behavior of educators in Alabama and serves as a guide to ethical conduct. The code:
- protects the health, safety and general welfare of students and educators;
- outlines objective standards of conduct for professional educators; and
- clearly defines actions of an unethical nature for which disciplinary sanctions are justified.
Each standard lists conduct that is ethical or unethical “including, but not limited to” the examples given. The lists illustrate the standard; they are not the outer edge of it.
Standard 1: Professional Conduct
An educator should demonstrate conduct that follows generally recognized professional standards.
Ethical conduct includes
- Encouraging and supporting colleagues in the development and maintenance of high standards.
- Respecting fellow educators and participating in the development of a professional and supportive teaching environment.
- Engaging in a variety of individual and collaborative learning experiences essential to developing professionally in order to promote student learning.
Unethical conduct includes
Any conduct that impairs the certificate holder’s ability to function in his or her employment position or a pattern of behavior that is detrimental to the health, welfare, discipline, or morals of students, including:
- Harassment of colleagues.
- Misuse or mismanagement of tests or test materials.
- Inappropriate language on school grounds.
- Physical altercations.
- Failure to provide appropriate supervision of students.
Apply it A teacher steps out to the workroom to make copies and leaves a class of eighth graders alone for twenty minutes. Nothing goes wrong. Is there an ethics issue?
Yes. “Failure to provide appropriate supervision of students” is listed unethical conduct under Standard 1. The outcome doesn’t change the analysis; the lapse in supervision is the conduct. Arrange coverage with a colleague or office staff before leaving students.
Apply it Several teachers keep posting mocking memes about a first-year colleague in a staff group chat. The new teacher has asked them to stop.
This is a pattern that fits “harassment of colleagues” under Standard 1, and it works directly against the ethical duty to build “a professional and supportive teaching environment.” Private channels are still professional conduct when they target a colleague.
Module 2 of 4
Standards 2, 3, and 4
Honesty in every record you sign, the criminal conduct that triggers ethics action, and the boundaries of the teacher–student relationship.
Standard 2: Trustworthiness
An educator should exemplify honesty and integrity in the course of professional practice.
Ethical conduct includes
- Properly representing facts concerning an educational matter in direct or indirect public expression.
- Advocating for fair and equitable opportunities for all children.
- Embodying for students the characteristics of intellectual honesty, diplomacy, tact, and fairness.
Unethical conduct includes
Falsifying, misrepresenting, omitting, or erroneously reporting:
- Professional qualifications, criminal record, or employment history when applying for employment or certification.
- Information submitted to federal, state, and/or other governmental agencies.
- Information regarding the evaluation of students and/or personnel.
- Reasons for absences or leaves.
- Information submitted in the course of an official inquiry or investigation.
Apply it A teacher uses a sick day to attend a job interview in another district and records the absence as illness.
That is “falsifying, misrepresenting … reasons for absences or leaves,” a Standard 2 violation. Use the leave category that actually applies under local policy, such as personal leave.
Apply it An application asks about prior criminal charges. The applicant leaves out an old charge, reasoning that it was minor and long ago.
Standard 2 names omitting as well as falsifying. Leaving required information off an application for employment or certification is unethical conduct even if the underlying matter would not have disqualified the applicant.
Standard 3: Unlawful Acts
An educator should abide by federal, state, and local laws and statutes.
Unethical conduct includes
The commission or conviction of a felony or of any crime involving moral turpitude.
As used here, conviction includes a finding or verdict of guilty, or a plea of nolo contendere, regardless of whether an appeal of the conviction has been sought or a situation where first offender treatment without adjudication of guilt pursuant to the charge was granted.
Apply it An educator pleads nolo contendere to a theft charge and appeals. They assume the ethics question waits until the appeal is decided.
No. Under Standard 3, a nolo contendere plea counts as a conviction “regardless of whether an appeal of the conviction has been sought.” Theft is commonly treated as a crime involving moral turpitude, so the plea itself can be the basis for action.
Standard 4: Teacher/Student Relationship
An educator should always maintain a professional relationship with all students, both in and outside the classroom.
Ethical conduct includes
- Fulfilling the roles of trusted confidante, mentor, and advocate for students’ growth.
- Nurturing the intellectual, physical, emotional, social, and civic potential of all students.
- Providing an environment that does not needlessly expose students to unnecessary embarrassment or disparagement.
- Creating, supporting, and maintaining a challenging learning environment for all students.
Unethical conduct includes
- Committing any act of child abuse, including physical or verbal abuse.
- Committing any act of cruelty to children or any act of child endangerment.
- Committing or soliciting any unlawful sexual act.
- Engaging in harassing behavior on the basis of race, gender, national origin, religion, or disability.
- Soliciting, encouraging, or consummating an inappropriate written, verbal, or physical relationship with a student.
- Furnishing tobacco, alcohol, or illegal/unauthorized drugs to any student or allowing a student to consume alcohol or illegal/unauthorized drugs.
Apply it A coach begins messaging a player late at night on a personal social media account about the student’s home life, and asks the student not to mention it to anyone.
The private channel, the hour, the personal subject matter, and especially the request for secrecy all move this outside a professional relationship. Standard 4 prohibits soliciting or encouraging an inappropriate written relationship, so the conduct can be unethical before anything further happens. Keep student communication on school-approved, transparent channels and follow local policy.
Apply it At an off-campus graduation party hosted by a parent, a teacher notices seniors drinking and says nothing because it isn’t a school event.
Standard 4 prohibits “allowing a student to consume alcohol,” and the standard applies “both in and outside the classroom.” The setting does not remove the educator’s obligation; leave, and report as local policy directs.
Module 3 of 4
Standards 5, 6, and 7
Alcohol, drugs, and tobacco; handling public money and property; and keeping gifts and extra income from compromising your role.
Standard 5: Alcohol, Drug and Tobacco Use or Possession
An educator should refrain from the use of alcohol and/or tobacco during the course of professional practice and should never use illegal or unauthorized drugs.
Ethical conduct includes
- Factually representing the dangers of alcohol, tobacco and illegal drug use and abuse to students during the course of professional practice.
Unethical conduct includes
- Being under the influence of, possessing, using, or consuming illegal or unauthorized drugs.
- Being on school premises or at a school-related activity involving students while documented as being under the influence of, possessing, or consuming alcoholic beverages or using tobacco.
A school-related activity includes, but is not limited to, any activity that is sponsored by a school or a school system or any activity designed to enhance the school curriculum such as club trips, etc., where students are involved.
Apply it On an overnight club trip, a chaperone has a beer in the hotel bar after students are in their rooms.
A club trip is named in the Code as a school-related activity involving students, and the trip doesn’t pause at lights-out. Consuming alcohol during it is the conduct Standard 5 describes.
Standard 6: Public Funds and Property
An educator entrusted with public funds and property should honor that trust with a high level of honesty, accuracy, and responsibility.
Ethical conduct includes
- Maximizing the positive effect of school funds through judicious use of said funds.
- Modeling for students and colleagues the responsible use of public property.
Unethical conduct includes
- Misusing public or school-related funds.
- Failing to account for funds collected from students or parents.
- Submitting fraudulent requests for reimbursement of expenses or for pay.
- Co-mingling public or school-related funds with personal funds or checking accounts.
- Using school property without the approval of the local board of education/governing body.
Apply it To save a trip to the bookkeeper, a sponsor deposits fundraiser cash into a personal checking account and writes the school one check at the end of the month.
Even if every dollar arrives, this is “co-mingling public or school-related funds with personal funds or checking accounts” under Standard 6. Turn collections in through the school’s receipting process.
Standard 7: Remunerative Conduct
An educator should maintain integrity with students, colleagues, parents, patrons, or businesses when accepting gifts, gratuities, favors, and additional compensation.
Ethical conduct includes
- Insuring that institutional privileges are not used for personal gain.
- Insuring that school policies or procedures are not impacted by gifts or gratuities from any person or organization.
Unethical conduct includes
- Soliciting students or parents of students to purchase equipment, supplies, or services from the educator or to participate in activities that financially benefit the educator unless approved by the local governing body.
- Accepting gifts from vendors or potential vendors for personal use or gain where there appears to be a conflict of interest.
- Tutoring students assigned to the educator for remuneration unless approved by the local board of education.
Apply it A parent asks a teacher to tutor their child, who is in that teacher’s class, for $40 an hour on Saturdays at the library.
Paid tutoring of a student assigned to you is unethical under Standard 7 unless approved by the local board of education. Off-campus, weekend, and parent-initiated arrangements still need that approval.
Apply it A curriculum vendor competing for a district contract mails a $200 gift card to the teacher who sits on the adoption committee.
A gift from a potential vendor for personal use, where there appears to be a conflict of interest, is listed unethical conduct under Standard 7. Decline or return it and notify your administrator.
Module 4 of 4
Standards 8 and 9, reporting, and disciplinary action
Protecting confidential records and test security, honoring your contract, and what happens when a breach is reported.
Standard 8: Maintenance of Confidentiality
An educator should comply with state and federal laws and local school board policies relating to confidentiality of student and personnel records, standardized test material, and other information covered by confidentiality agreements.
Ethical conduct includes
- Keeping in confidence information about students that has been obtained in the course of professional service unless disclosure serves professional purposes or is required by law.
- Maintaining diligently the security of standardized test supplies and resources.
Unethical conduct includes
- Sharing confidential information concerning student academic and disciplinary records, health and medical information, family status/income, and assessment/testing results unless disclosure is required or permitted by law.
- Violating confidentiality agreements related to standardized testing including copying or teaching identified test items, publishing or distributing test items or answers, discussing test items, and violating local school system or state directions for the use of tests or test items.
- Violating other confidentiality agreements required by state or local policy.
Apply it While proctoring the state assessment, a teacher memorizes a reading passage and uses it as a warm-up the following spring.
Copying or teaching identified test items, and discussing test items, violate Standard 8’s testing confidentiality provisions. Use released items and practice materials the state publishes for that purpose.
Apply it In the pickup line, a parent volunteer asks why a classmate leaves early every Tuesday. The teacher explains the student has a weekly therapy appointment.
That shares a student’s health information without a professional purpose or legal requirement, which Standard 8 lists as unethical. A friendly “I can’t discuss other students” ends the conversation.
Standard 9: Abandonment of Contract
An educator should fulfill all of the terms and obligations detailed in the contract with the local board of education or educational agency for the duration of the contract.
Unethical conduct includes
- Abandoning the contract for professional services without prior release from the contract by the employer.
- Refusing to perform services required by the contract.
Apply it In October, a teacher accepts a better-paying offer in a neighboring state and gives one week’s notice without asking to be released.
Leaving mid-contract without a prior release from the employer is abandonment under Standard 9. Request a release in writing and wait for the board’s decision before committing to a start date.
Reporting
Educators are required to report a breach of one or more of the Standards in the Alabama Educator Code of Ethics as soon as possible, but no later than sixty (60) days from the date the educator became aware of the alleged breach, unless the law or local procedures require reporting sooner. Educators should be aware of their local school board policies and procedures and/or chain of command for reporting unethical conduct.
Complaints filed with the local or state school boards, or with the State Department of Education Teacher Certification Section, must be filed in writing and must include the original signature of the complainant.
“Sooner” matters. Suspected child abuse or neglect, for example, must be reported immediately under Alabama’s mandatory reporting law. The 60-day window is the outer limit for ethics reporting, not a waiting period.
Alabama Administrative Code 290-3-2-.05 (1)-5-c
Each Superintendent shall submit to the State Superintendent of Education within ten calendar days of the decision, the name and social security number of each employee holding an Alabama certificate or license who is terminated, or nonrenewed, resigns, or is placed on administrative leave for cause, and shall indicate the reason for such action.
- 60 days
- Outer limit for an educator to report a known breach
- 10 calendar days
- For a superintendent to report a for-cause separation or leave
- In writing, signed
- Required form of a formal complaint
Disciplinary action
Disciplinary action shall be defined as the issuance of a reprimand or warning, or the suspension, revocation, or denial of certificates. “Certificate” refers to any teaching, service, or leadership certificate issued by the authority of the Alabama State Department of Education.
Alabama Administrative Code 290-3-2-.05 (1)(a): Authority of the State Superintendent of Education
The Superintendent shall have the authority under existing legal standards to:
- Revoke any certificate held by a person who has been proven guilty of immoral conduct or unbecoming or indecent behavior in Alabama or any other state or nation in accordance with Ala. Code §16-23-5 (1975).
- Refuse to issue a certificate to an applicant whose certificate has been subject to adverse action by another state until after the adverse action has been resolved by that state.
- Suspend or revoke an individual’s certificate issued by the Superintendent when a certificate or license issued by another state is subject to adverse action.
- Refuse to issue, suspend, or recall a certificate for just cause.
Any of the following grounds shall also be considered cause for disciplinary action:
- Unethical conduct as outlined in the Alabama Educator Code of Ethics, Standards 1–9.
- Order from a court of competent jurisdiction.
- Violation of any other laws or rules applicable to the profession.
- Any other good and sufficient cause.
An individual whose certificate has been revoked, denied, or suspended may not be employed as an educator, paraprofessional, aide, or substitute teacher during the period of his or her revocation, suspension, or denial.
Apply it A teacher’s certificate is suspended for one year. A neighboring district offers to hire them as a substitute in the meantime.
Not allowed. During a suspension, the individual may not be employed as an educator, paraprofessional, aide, or substitute teacher.
Assessment
Code of Ethics assessment
50 multiple-choice questions. Score 80% or higher (40 correct) to earn your certificate. You can retake it as many times as you need.
Finish the modules first
Mark each module complete to open the assessment. Still to finish:
Before you start
- Answer every question. You can change answers until you submit.
- Your answers stay in this browser tab only. Refreshing keeps them; closing the tab does not.
- If you score below 80%, you’ll see which questions to review, then retake with the questions in a new order.
Certificate
Your certificate of completion
Pass the assessment to unlock your certificate
A score of 80% or higher on the assessment generates your certificate here.
Alabama Conference of Educators
Certificate of Completion
This certifies that
has successfully completed the professional development course
Alabama Educator Code of Ethics
4 Hours Professional Development Credit
Name misspelled?
Keep the PDF for your records and submit it to your district as your local policy requires. The certificate number identifies this completion for your records.