Preamble
The educator, believing in the worth and dignity of each human being,
recognizes the supreme importance of the pursuit of truth, devotion to
excellence, and the nurture of the democratic principles. Essential to
these goals is the protection of freedom to learn and to teach and the
guarantee of equal educational opportunity for all. The educator accepts
the responsibility to adhere to the highest ethical standards.
The educator recognizes the magnitude of the responsibility inherent
in the teaching process. The desire for the respect and confidence of
one's colleagues, of students, of parents, and of the members of the community
provides the incentive to attain and maintain the highest possible degree
of ethical conduct. The Code of Ethics of the Education Profession indicates
the aspiration of all educators and provides standards by which to judge
conduct.The remedies specified by the NEA and/or its affiliates for the
violation of any provision of this Code shall be exclusive and no such
provision shall be enforceable in any form other than the one specifically
designated by the NEA or its affiliates.
PRINCIPLE I
Commitment to the Student
The educator strives to help each student realize his or her potential
as a worthy and effective member of society. The educator therefore works
to stimulate the spirit of inquiry, the acquisition of knowledge and understanding,
and the thoughtful formulation of worthy goals.
In fulfillment of the obligation to the student, the educator--
- Shall not unreasonably restrain the student from independent action
in the pursuit of learning.
- Shall not unreasonably deny the student's access to varying points
of view.
- Shall not deliberately suppress or distort subject matter relevant
to the student's progress.
- Shall make reasonable effort to protect the student from conditions
harmful to learning or to health and safety.
- Shall not intentionally expose the student to embarrassment or disparagement.
- Shall not on the basis of race, color, creed, sex, national origin,
marital status, political or religious beliefs, family, social or
cultural background, or sexual orientation, unfairly--
- Exclude any student from participation in any program
- Deny benefits to any student
- Grant any advantage to any student
- Shall not use professional relationships with students for private
advantage.
- Shall not disclose information about students obtained in the course
of professional service unless disclosure serves a compelling professional
purpose or is required by law.
PRINCIPLE II
Commitment to the Profession
The education profession is vested by the public with a trust and responsibility
requiring the highest ideals of professional service.
In the belief that the quality of the services of the education profession
directly influences the nation and its citizens, the educator shall exert
every effort to raise professional standards, to promote a climate that
encourages the exercise of professional judgment, to achieve conditions
that attract persons worthy of the trust to careers in education, and
to assist in preventing the practice of the profession by unqualified
persons.
In fulfillment of the obligation to the profession, the educator--
- Shall not in an application for a professional position deliberately
make a false statement or fail to disclose a material fact related
to competency and qualifications.
- Shall not misrepresent his/her professional qualifications.
- Shall not assist any entry into the profession of a person known
to be unqualified in respect to character, education, or other relevant
attribute.
- Shall not knowingly make a false statement concerning the qualifications
of a candidate for a professional position.
- Shall not assist a non educator in the unauthorized practice of
teaching.
- Shall not disclose information about colleagues obtained in the
course of professional service unless disclosure serves a compelling
professional purpose or is required by law.
- Shall not knowingly make false or malicious statements about a colleague.
- Shall not accept any gratuity, gift, or favor that might impair
or appear to influence professional decisions or action.
- Written in initial form in 1929
— Adopted by the NEA 1975 Representative Assembly |
