Educational Law, Ethics & Professionalism Flashcards

A teacher posts a photo of her classroom on social media that incidentally shows several students' faces without parental consent. Which law is most directly implicated?

Answer: FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act)

FERPA protects personally identifiable information from education records, including images that directly identify students in a school context.

Under Massachusetts General Laws, which of the following constitutes 'conduct unbecoming a teacher' that could lead to license revocation?

Answer: Falsifying student attendance records

Falsifying official records is a serious ethical breach that constitutes conduct unbecoming a teacher and can result in license revocation.

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 primarily prohibits:

Answer: Sex-based discrimination in federally funded education programs

Title IX prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.

A parent demands to review all notes a teacher has written privately for their own use when planning a parent conference about their child. Under FERPA, the teacher's personal notes:

Answer: Are exempt from FERPA if they are solely for the teacher's personal use and not shared

FERPA's 'sole possession records' exemption excludes private notes made by a teacher that are kept solely for their own use and not shared with others.

Which ethical principle requires an educator to treat all students fairly regardless of their background, ability, or family situation?

Answer: Equity

Equity requires educators to provide fair treatment and access to resources for all students, recognizing and addressing differences in need.

A school district in Massachusetts wants to administer a survey asking students about their political beliefs and family income. Under the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA), the district must:

Answer: Notify and obtain prior written consent from parents before administering the survey

PPRA requires schools to notify parents and obtain their written consent before students participate in surveys that cover sensitive topics including political affiliations and family income.

An educator in Massachusetts receives a gift from a parent valued at $75 during the holiday season. According to the Massachusetts State Ethics Commission guidelines, the educator should:

Answer: Decline the gift to avoid any appearance of a conflict of interest

Massachusetts ethics rules prohibit public employees from accepting gifts of substantial value that could create a conflict of interest or the appearance of one; educators should decline to maintain professional integrity.