Professional Standards & Ethics Flashcards

Which situation requires a teacher to recuse themselves from a professional decision?

Answer: Evaluating a student who is the teacher's own child

Evaluating a family member creates an inherent conflict of interest and requires recusal to preserve objectivity and fairness.

Under the California Education Code, teachers are required to maintain which of the following in the classroom?

Answer: Safe conditions conducive to student learning

California Education Code obligates teachers to maintain a safe and supportive learning environment as a fundamental professional duty.

A teacher shares a student's learning disability diagnosis with a parent volunteer helping in the classroom. This action:

Answer: Violates IDEA and FERPA confidentiality protections

Disability information is protected under IDEA and FERPA and may not be shared with volunteers who lack a legitimate educational interest.

Which of the following is an example of a teacher maintaining professional boundaries with students?

Answer: Communicating with students exclusively through official school channels

Using official school communication channels maintains appropriate professional boundaries and creates an accountable record.

A teacher is asked to write a letter of recommendation for a student they believe is unqualified for the program. The ethical response is to:

Answer: Decline to write the letter and explain honestly to the student

Professional integrity requires teachers to decline writing a letter they cannot honestly support rather than misrepresent a student's qualifications.

Which of the following best describes the concept of 'in loco parentis' as it applies to teachers?

Answer: Teachers assume a parental duty of care for students during school hours

In loco parentis means teachers act in the place of parents and bear responsibility for student welfare and reasonable supervision during school.

When a teacher suspects a student is being neglected at home, the mandated reporting obligation applies:

Answer: To neglect as well as physical and emotional abuse

Mandated reporting in California covers suspected neglect in addition to physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, with no confirmation required before reporting.