Texas Administrative Code
• TITLE 19 EDUCATION
o PART 7 STATE BOARD FOR EDUCATOR CERTIFICATION
o CHAPTER 247 EDUCATORS' CODE OF ETHICS
RULE §247.1 Purpose and Scope
Texas Education Code
• The State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) adopts an educators' code of ethics as set forth in §247.2 of this title (relating to Code of Ethics and Standard Practices for Texas Educators).
• The SBEC may amend the ethics code in the same manner as any other formal rule.
• The SBEC is solely responsible for enforcing the ethics code for purposes related to certification disciplinary proceedings.
Statement of Purpose.
• The Texas educator shall comply with standard practices and ethical conduct toward students, professional colleagues, school officials, parents, and members of the community and shall safeguard academic freedom.
• The Texas educator, in maintaining the dignity of the profession, shall respect and obey the law, demonstrate personal integrity, and exemplify honesty.
• The Texas educator, in exemplifying ethical relations with colleagues, shall extend just and equitable treatment to all members of the profession.
• The Texas educator, in accepting a position of public trust, shall measure success by the progress of each student toward realization of his or her potential as an effective citizen.
• The Texas educator, in fulfilling responsibilities in the community, shall cooperate with parents and others to improve the public schools of the community.
Enforceable Standards
(1) Professional Ethical Conduct, Practices and Performance.
• The educator shall not knowingly engage in deceptive practices regarding official policies of the school district or educational institution.
• The educator shall not knowingly misappropriate, divert, or use monies, personnel, property, or equipment committed to his or her charge for personal gain or advantage.
• The educator shall not submit fraudulent requests for reimbursement, expenses, or pay.
• The educator shall not use institutional or professional privileges for personal or partisan advantage.
• The educator shall neither accept nor offer gratuities, gifts, or favors that impair professional judgment or to obtain special advantage. This standard shall not restrict the acceptance of gifts or tokens offered and accepted openly from students, parents, or other persons or organizations in recognition or appreciation of service.
• The educator shall not falsify records, or direct or coerce others to do so.
• The educator shall comply with state regulations, written local school board policies, and other applicable state and federal laws.
• The educator shall apply for, accept, offer, or assign a position or a responsibility on the basis of professional qualifications.
(2) Ethical Conduct Toward Professional Colleagues.
• The educator shall not reveal confidential health or personnel information concerning colleagues unless disclosure serves lawful professional purposes or is required by law.
• The educator shall not harm others by knowingly making false statements about a colleague or the school system.
• The educator shall adhere to written local school board policies and state and federal laws regarding the hiring, evaluation, and dismissal of personnel.
• The educator shall not interfere with a colleague's exercise of political, professional, or citizenship rights and responsibilities.
• The educator shall not discriminate against or coerce a colleague on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, disability, or family status.
• The educator shall not use coercive means or promise of special treatment in order to influence professional decisions or colleagues.
• The educator shall not retaliate against any individual who has filed a complaint with the SBEC under this chapter.
(3) Ethical Conduct Toward Students.
• The educator shall not reveal confidential information concerning students unless disclosure serves lawful professional purposes or is required by law.
• The educator shall not knowingly treat a student in a manner that adversely affects the student's learning, physical health, mental health, or safety.
• The educator shall not deliberately or knowingly misrepresent facts regarding a student.
• The educator shall not exclude a student from participation in a program, deny benefits to a student, or grant an advantage to a student on the basis of race, color, sex, disability, national origin, religion, or family status.
• The educator shall not engage in physical mistreatment of a student.
• The educator shall not solicit or engage in sexual conduct or a romantic relationship with a student.
• The educator shall not furnish alcohol or illegal/unauthorized drugs to any student or knowingly allow any student to consume alcohol or illegal/unauthorized drugs in the presence of the educator.