1. The Code of Ethics for Georgia Educators
Georgia Professional Standards Commission
The Code of Ethics for Georgia Educators
Georgia Professional Standards Commission

2. 20-2-984.1. Adoption of a Code of Ethics.
(a)  It shall be the duty of the commission to adopt standards of performance and a code of ethics for educators… which are generally accepted by educators of this state.  
Georgia Professional Standards Commission

3. 20-2-984.1. Adoption of a Code of Ethics.
The standards of performance and code of ethics adopted by the commission shall be limited to professional performance and professional ethics.  
Georgia Professional Standards Commission

4. 20-2-984.3. …the commission shall be authorized to investigate:
Alleged violations by an educator of any law of this state pertaining to educators or the profession of education;
Alleged violations by an educator of the code of ethics of the commission;
Alleged violations by an educator of rules, regulations, or policies of the state board or the commission;
Complaints alleging a failure by an educator to meet or comply with standards of performance of the commission or the state board; or
Complaints alleging that an educator has been convicted of any felony or of any crime involving moral turpitude…
Georgia Professional Standards Commission

5. Standard 1
An educator shall abide by federal, state, and local laws and statutes.
Standard Two states that an educator should always maintain a professional relationship with all students, both in and outside the classroom.
The first three examples in this standard would also be criminal acts and would require reporting under the statute concerning child abuse.
The fourth example relates to harassment. Educators should never harass a student on the basis of race, gender, national origin, religion or disability.
Sarcasm is usually a deadly weapon in the hands of a teacher who has great influence in a student’s sense of self-worth.
The fifth example involves personal relationships with students.
Teachers should be warned about encouraging an inappropriate relationship by means of , telephone, written messages (notes, letters, cards, etc.)
Educators should not date students .
Educators should not develop a personal relationship with students that creates an emotional dependency on the educator.
Educators should not furnish or allow a student to consume alcohol, illegal or unauthorized drugs. Educators should not furnish tobacco to students.
Georgia Professional Standards Commission

6. a felony or any crime involving moral turpitude.
Legal Compliance
Unethical conduct includes but is not limited to the commission or conviction of:
a felony or any crime involving moral turpitude.
Georgia Professional Standards Commission

7. any criminal offense involving a controlled substance or marijuana.
Legal Compliance
Unethical conduct includes but is not limited to the commission or conviction of:
any criminal offense involving a controlled substance or marijuana.
Georgia Professional Standards Commission

8. any sexual offense specified in Code Section 16.
Legal Compliance
Unethical conduct includes but is not limited to the commission or conviction of:
any sexual offense specified in Code Section 16.
Georgia Professional Standards Commission

9. any laws applicable to the profession.
Legal Compliance
Unethical conduct includes but is not limited to the commission or conviction of:
any laws applicable to the profession.
Georgia Professional Standards Commission

10. a finding or verdict of guilty;
Conviction includes:
a finding or verdict of guilty;
Georgia Professional Standards Commission

11. a plea of nolo contendere;
Conviction includes:
a plea of nolo contendere;
Georgia Professional Standards Commission

12. a situation where first offender treatment was granted; and
Conviction includes:
a situation where first offender treatment was granted; and
Georgia Professional Standards Commission

13. Conviction includes:
a situation where an adjudication of guilt or sentence was otherwise withheld or not entered on the charge or the charge was otherwise disposed of in a similar manner in any jurisdiction.
Georgia Professional Standards Commission

14. Simple Definition of “Not Guilty”
The District Attorney dismissed the case, or
The judge ruled “Not Guilty!” with no qualifiers.
Every other ruling is “Guilty!”
Georgia Professional Standards Commission

15. Reporting the CONVICTION of a Criminal Offense
Georgia Professional Standards Commission

16. Reporting the COMMISSION of a Criminal Offense
Georgia Professional Standards Commission

17. Standard 2
An educator shall always maintain a professional relationship with all students, both in and outside the classroom.
Standard Two states that an educator should always maintain a professional relationship with all students, both in and outside the classroom.
The first three examples in this standard would also be criminal acts and would require reporting under the statute concerning child abuse.
The fourth example relates to harassment. Educators should never harass a student on the basis of race, gender, national origin, religion or disability.
Sarcasm is usually a deadly weapon in the hands of a teacher who has great influence in a student’s sense of self-worth.
The fifth example involves personal relationships with students.
Teachers should be warned about encouraging an inappropriate relationship by means of , telephone, written messages (notes, letters, cards, etc.)
Educators should not date students .
Educators should not develop a personal relationship with students that creates an emotional dependency on the educator.
Educators should not furnish or allow a student to consume alcohol, illegal or unauthorized drugs. Educators should not furnish tobacco to students.
Georgia Professional Standards Commission

18. A STUDENT is anyone:
enrolled in a Georgia public or private school from preschool through grade 12, or
anyone under the age of 18.
There are several definitions at the beginning of the code.
A student is any individual enrolled in GA’s private or public schools from preschool through grade 12 or any individual between and including the ages of 3 and 17. An 18-year-old who is enrolled in school is a student. A 17-year old who has graduated is a student.
Please emphasize with educators that it is not permissible to have a relationship with any student anywhere.
Georgia Professional Standards Commission

19. For the purposes of the Code of Ethics, the enrollment period for a graduating student ends on August 31 of the year of graduation.
Georgia Professional Standards Commission

20. Unethical Conduct with Students Includes:
committing any act of child abuse, including physical and verbal abuse;
committing any act of cruelty to children or any act of child endangerment;
Georgia Professional Standards Commission

21. Unethical Conduct with Students Includes:
committing any sexual act with a student or soliciting such from a student;
engaging in or permitting harassment of or misconduct toward a student that would violate a state or federal law;
Georgia Professional Standards Commission

22. Unethical Conduct with Students Includes:
soliciting, encouraging, or consummating an inappropriate written, verbal, electronic, or physical relationship with a student;
furnishing tobacco, alcohol, or drugs to any student, or
Georgia Professional Standards Commission

23. Unethical Conduct with Students Includes:
failing to prevent the use of alcohol or illegal/unauthorized drugs by students who are under the educator’s supervision (including but not limited to the educator’s residence or any other private setting).
Georgia Professional Standards Commission

24. Alcohol or Drugs Standard 3
Standard Two states that an educator should always maintain a professional relationship with all students, both in and outside the classroom.
The first three examples in this standard would also be criminal acts and would require reporting under the statute concerning child abuse.
The fourth example relates to harassment. Educators should never harass a student on the basis of race, gender, national origin, religion or disability.
Sarcasm is usually a deadly weapon in the hands of a teacher who has great influence in a student’s sense of self-worth.
The fifth example involves personal relationships with students.
Teachers should be warned about encouraging an inappropriate relationship by means of , telephone, written messages (notes, letters, cards, etc.)
Educators should not date students .
Educators should not develop a personal relationship with students that creates an emotional dependency on the educator.
Educators should not furnish or allow a student to consume alcohol, illegal or unauthorized drugs. Educators should not furnish tobacco to students.
Georgia Professional Standards Commission

25. Standard 3
An educator shall refrain from the use of alcohol or illegal or unauthorized drugs during the course of professional practice.
Standard Two states that an educator should always maintain a professional relationship with all students, both in and outside the classroom.
The first three examples in this standard would also be criminal acts and would require reporting under the statute concerning child abuse.
The fourth example relates to harassment. Educators should never harass a student on the basis of race, gender, national origin, religion or disability.
Sarcasm is usually a deadly weapon in the hands of a teacher who has great influence in a student’s sense of self-worth.
The fifth example involves personal relationships with students.
Teachers should be warned about encouraging an inappropriate relationship by means of , telephone, written messages (notes, letters, cards, etc.)
Educators should not date students .
Educators should not develop a personal relationship with students that creates an emotional dependency on the educator.
Educators should not furnish or allow a student to consume alcohol, illegal or unauthorized drugs. Educators should not furnish tobacco to students.
Georgia Professional Standards Commission

26. Drugs
Unethical conduct includes but is not limited to:
being on school premises or at a school-related activity while under the influence of, possessing, using, or consuming illegal or unauthorized drugs;
Georgia Professional Standards Commission

27. Illegal and Unauthorized Drugs are Always Illegal and Unauthorized.
Georgia Professional Standards Commission

28. Alcohol
Unethical conduct includes but is not limited to:
being on school premises or at a school-related activity involving students while under the influence of, possessing, or consuming alcoholic beverages.
Georgia Professional Standards Commission

29. Standard 4
An educator shall exemplify honesty and integrity in the course of professional practice.
Standard Two states that an educator should always maintain a professional relationship with all students, both in and outside the classroom.
The first three examples in this standard would also be criminal acts and would require reporting under the statute concerning child abuse.
The fourth example relates to harassment. Educators should never harass a student on the basis of race, gender, national origin, religion or disability.
Sarcasm is usually a deadly weapon in the hands of a teacher who has great influence in a student’s sense of self-worth.
The fifth example involves personal relationships with students.
Teachers should be warned about encouraging an inappropriate relationship by means of , telephone, written messages (notes, letters, cards, etc.)
Educators should not date students .
Educators should not develop a personal relationship with students that creates an emotional dependency on the educator.
Educators should not furnish or allow a student to consume alcohol, illegal or unauthorized drugs. Educators should not furnish tobacco to students.
Georgia Professional Standards Commission

30. Honesty
Unethical conduct includes but is not limited to falsifying, misrepresenting, or omitting:
professional qualifications, criminal history, college or staff development credit and/or degrees, academic award, and employment history;
Georgia Professional Standards Commission

31. information regarding the evaluation of students and/or personnel;
Honesty
Unethical conduct includes but is not limited to, falsifying, misrepresenting, or omitting:
information submitted to federal, state, local school districts and other governmental agencies;
information regarding the evaluation of students and/or personnel;
Georgia Professional Standards Commission

32. reasons for absences or leaves;
Honesty
Unethical conduct includes but is not limited to, falsifying, misrepresenting, or omitting:
reasons for absences or leaves;
information submitted in the course of an official inquiry/investigation; and
Georgia Professional Standards Commission

33. information submitted in the course of professional practice.
Honesty
Unethical conduct includes but is not limited to, falsifying, misrepresenting, or omitting:
information submitted in the course of professional practice.
Georgia Professional Standards Commission

34. Standard 5
An educator entrusted with public funds and property shall honor that trust with a high level of honesty, accuracy, and responsibility.
Standard Two states that an educator should always maintain a professional relationship with all students, both in and outside the classroom.
The first three examples in this standard would also be criminal acts and would require reporting under the statute concerning child abuse.
The fourth example relates to harassment. Educators should never harass a student on the basis of race, gender, national origin, religion or disability.
Sarcasm is usually a deadly weapon in the hands of a teacher who has great influence in a student’s sense of self-worth.
The fifth example involves personal relationships with students.
Teachers should be warned about encouraging an inappropriate relationship by means of , telephone, written messages (notes, letters, cards, etc.)
Educators should not date students .
Educators should not develop a personal relationship with students that creates an emotional dependency on the educator.
Educators should not furnish or allow a student to consume alcohol, illegal or unauthorized drugs. Educators should not furnish tobacco to students.
Georgia Professional Standards Commission

35. Public Funds & Property
Unethical conduct includes but is not limited to:
misusing public or school-related funds;
failing to account for funds collected from students or parents;
submitting fraudulent requests or documentation for reimbursement of expenses or for pay
Georgia Professional Standards Commission

36. Public Funds & Property
Unethical conduct includes but is not limited to:
co-mingling public or school-related funds with personal funds or checking accounts; and
using school property without the approval of the local board of education/governing board or authorized designee.; and
using school system property for personal gain.
Georgia Professional Standards Commission

37. Standard 6
An educator shall maintain integrity with students, colleagues, parents, patrons, or businesses when accepting gifts, gratuities, favors, and additional compensation.
Standard Two states that an educator should always maintain a professional relationship with all students, both in and outside the classroom.
The first three examples in this standard would also be criminal acts and would require reporting under the statute concerning child abuse.
The fourth example relates to harassment. Educators should never harass a student on the basis of race, gender, national origin, religion or disability.
Sarcasm is usually a deadly weapon in the hands of a teacher who has great influence in a student’s sense of self-worth.
The fifth example involves personal relationships with students.
Teachers should be warned about encouraging an inappropriate relationship by means of , telephone, written messages (notes, letters, cards, etc.)
Educators should not date students .
Educators should not develop a personal relationship with students that creates an emotional dependency on the educator.
Educators should not furnish or allow a student to consume alcohol, illegal or unauthorized drugs. Educators should not furnish tobacco to students.
Georgia Professional Standards Commission

38. Remunerative Conduct
Unethical conduct includes but is not limited to:
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 board of education/governing board or authorized designee;
Georgia Professional Standards Commission

39. Remunerative Conduct
Unethical conduct includes but is not limited to:
accepting gifts from vendors or potential vendors for personal use or gain where there may be the appearance of a conflict of interest;
Georgia Professional Standards Commission

40. Remunerative Conduct
Unethical conduct includes but is not limited to:
tutoring students assigned to the educator for remuneration unless approved by the local board of education/governing board or superintendent or authorized designee; and
Georgia Professional Standards Commission

41. Remunerative Conduct
Unethical conduct includes but is not limited to:
coaching, instructing, promoting athletic camps, summer leagues, etc. that involves students in an educator’s school system and from whom the educator receives remuneration unless approved by the local board of education/governing board or the superintendent authorized designee. These types of activities must be in compliance with all rules and regulations of the Georgia High School Association.
Georgia Professional Standards Commission

42. Standard 7
An educator shall comply with state and federal laws and state school board policies relating to the confidentiality of student and personnel records, standardized test material and other information.
Standard Two states that an educator should always maintain a professional relationship with all students, both in and outside the classroom.
The first three examples in this standard would also be criminal acts and would require reporting under the statute concerning child abuse.
The fourth example relates to harassment. Educators should never harass a student on the basis of race, gender, national origin, religion or disability.
Sarcasm is usually a deadly weapon in the hands of a teacher who has great influence in a student’s sense of self-worth.
The fifth example involves personal relationships with students.
Teachers should be warned about encouraging an inappropriate relationship by means of , telephone, written messages (notes, letters, cards, etc.)
Educators should not date students .
Educators should not develop a personal relationship with students that creates an emotional dependency on the educator.
Educators should not furnish or allow a student to consume alcohol, illegal or unauthorized drugs. Educators should not furnish tobacco to students.
Georgia Professional Standards Commission

43. Confidential Information
Unethical conduct includes but is not limited to:
sharing of confidential information concerning student academic and disciplinary records, personal confidences, health and medical information, family status and/or income, and assessment/testing results unless disclosure is required or permitted by law;
sharing of confidential information restricted by state or federal law;
Georgia Professional Standards Commission

44. Confidential Information
Unethical conduct includes but is not limited to:
violation of confidentiality agreements related to standardized testing including copying or teaching identified test items, publishing or distributing test items or answers, discussing test items, violating local school system or state directions for the use of tests or test items, etc.; and
violation of other confidentiality agreements required by state or local policy.
Georgia Professional Standards Commission

45. Confidential Information
Annual performance evaluation records of school personnel
Health services provided to an insured
Identifiable individual student performance data, information and reports
School records of students with disabilities
A student's education record
Georgia Professional Standards Commission

46. Standard 8
An educator shall fulfill all of the terms and obligations detailed in the contract with the local board of education or education agency for the duration of the contract.
Standard Two states that an educator should always maintain a professional relationship with all students, both in and outside the classroom.
The first three examples in this standard would also be criminal acts and would require reporting under the statute concerning child abuse.
The fourth example relates to harassment. Educators should never harass a student on the basis of race, gender, national origin, religion or disability.
Sarcasm is usually a deadly weapon in the hands of a teacher who has great influence in a student’s sense of self-worth.
The fifth example involves personal relationships with students.
Teachers should be warned about encouraging an inappropriate relationship by means of , telephone, written messages (notes, letters, cards, etc.)
Educators should not date students .
Educators should not develop a personal relationship with students that creates an emotional dependency on the educator.
Educators should not furnish or allow a student to consume alcohol, illegal or unauthorized drugs. Educators should not furnish tobacco to students.
Georgia Professional Standards Commission

47. Abandonment of Contract
Unethical conduct includes but is not limited to:
abandoning the contract for professional services without prior release from the contract by the employer, and
willfully refusing to perform the services required by a contract.
Georgia Professional Standards Commission

48. Standard 9
An educator shall file reports of a breach of one or more of the standards in the Code of Ethics for Educators, child abuse, or any other required report.
Standard Two states that an educator should always maintain a professional relationship with all students, both in and outside the classroom.
The first three examples in this standard would also be criminal acts and would require reporting under the statute concerning child abuse.
The fourth example relates to harassment. Educators should never harass a student on the basis of race, gender, national origin, religion or disability.
Sarcasm is usually a deadly weapon in the hands of a teacher who has great influence in a student’s sense of self-worth.
The fifth example involves personal relationships with students.
Teachers should be warned about encouraging an inappropriate relationship by means of , telephone, written messages (notes, letters, cards, etc.)
Educators should not date students .
Educators should not develop a personal relationship with students that creates an emotional dependency on the educator.
Educators should not furnish or allow a student to consume alcohol, illegal or unauthorized drugs. Educators should not furnish tobacco to students.
Georgia Professional Standards Commission

49. Required Reports Unethical conduct includes but is not limited to:
failure to report all requested information on documents required by the Commission when applying for or renewing any certificate with the Commission;
failure to make a required report of a violation of one or more standards of the Code of Ethics for educators of which they have personal knowledge as soon as possible but no later than ninety (90) days from the date the educator became aware of an alleged breach unless the law or local procedures require reporting sooner; and
Georgia Professional Standards Commission

50. Required Reports
Unethical conduct includes but is not limited to:
failure to make a required report of any violation of state or federal law soon as possible but no later than ninety (90) days from the date the educator became aware of an alleged breach unless the law or local procedures require reporting sooner. These reports include but are not limited to: murder, voluntary manslaughter, aggravated assault, aggravated battery, kidnapping, any sexual offense, any sexual exploitation of a minor, any offense involving a controlled substance and any abuse of a child if an educator has reasonable cause to believe that a child has been abused.
Georgia Professional Standards Commission

51. What is “reasonable cause to believe?”
Georgia Professional Standards Commission

52. Former School Principal
The educator, a school principal, failed to report sexual misconduct by a teacher. The educator had been informed that a female student was regularly meeting the male teacher in his classroom during lunch and that they were often seen in close proximity. After the male teacher was arrested and charged with four counts of Sexual Assault, the educator confirmed that there were rumors about the male teacher and female students.
Georgia Professional Standards Commission

53. Standard 10
An educator shall demonstrate conduct that follows generally recognized professional standards and preserves the dignity and integrity of the teaching profession.
Standard Two states that an educator should always maintain a professional relationship with all students, both in and outside the classroom.
The first three examples in this standard would also be criminal acts and would require reporting under the statute concerning child abuse.
The fourth example relates to harassment. Educators should never harass a student on the basis of race, gender, national origin, religion or disability.
Sarcasm is usually a deadly weapon in the hands of a teacher who has great influence in a student’s sense of self-worth.
The fifth example involves personal relationships with students.
Teachers should be warned about encouraging an inappropriate relationship by means of , telephone, written messages (notes, letters, cards, etc.)
Educators should not date students .
Educators should not develop a personal relationship with students that creates an emotional dependency on the educator.
Educators should not furnish or allow a student to consume alcohol, illegal or unauthorized drugs. Educators should not furnish tobacco to students.
Georgia Professional Standards Commission

54. Professional Conduct Unethical conduct includes but is not limited to:
any conduct that impairs and/or diminishes the certificate holder’s ability to function professionally in his or her employment position, or
conduct that is detrimental to the health, welfare, discipline, or morals of students.
Georgia Professional Standards Commission

55. Standard 11
An educator shall administer state mandated assessments fairly and ethically.
Standard Two states that an educator should always maintain a professional relationship with all students, both in and outside the classroom.
The first three examples in this standard would also be criminal acts and would require reporting under the statute concerning child abuse.
The fourth example relates to harassment. Educators should never harass a student on the basis of race, gender, national origin, religion or disability.
Sarcasm is usually a deadly weapon in the hands of a teacher who has great influence in a student’s sense of self-worth.
The fifth example involves personal relationships with students.
Teachers should be warned about encouraging an inappropriate relationship by means of , telephone, written messages (notes, letters, cards, etc.)
Educators should not date students .
Educators should not develop a personal relationship with students that creates an emotional dependency on the educator.
Educators should not furnish or allow a student to consume alcohol, illegal or unauthorized drugs. Educators should not furnish tobacco to students.
Georgia Professional Standards Commission

56. committing any act that breaches Test Security; and
Testing
Unethical conduct includes but is not limited to:
committing any act that breaches Test Security; and
compromising the integrity of the assessment.
Georgia Professional Standards Commission

57. Other Grounds for Disciplinary Action against a Certificate:
1. unethical conduct as outlined in The Code of Ethics for Educators, Standards 1-11;
2. disciplinary action against a certificate in another state on grounds consistent with those specified in the Code of Ethics for Educators;
3. order from a court or a request from DHR that a certificate be suspended or denied for non-payment of child support;
Georgia Professional Standards Commission

58. Other Grounds for Disciplinary Action against a Certificate:
4. notification from the GHEAC that the educator is in default and not in satisfactory repayment status on a student loan;
5. suspension or revocation of any professional license or certificate;
6. violation of any other laws and rules applicable to the profession; and
7. any other good and sufficient cause that renders an educator unfit for employment as an educator
Georgia Professional Standards Commission