MTEL Professional Ethics in Education 4

Question 1

A student tells their teacher they are being bullied by another student but begs the teacher not to tell anyone. The teacher's ethical obligation is to:

Accepted Answer

Report the bullying to administration per school policy regardless

Answer

Honor the student's request to maintain trust

Answer

Monitor the situation before deciding to report

Answer

Speak only to the bullying student privately

Question 2

An educator in Massachusetts accepts an expensive gift from a parent at the end of the school year. This action may be problematic primarily because:

Accepted Answer

It could create a perception of favoritism or a conflict of interest

Answer

It violates union contract provisions

Answer

It is always prohibited by state law regardless of value

Answer

It may embarrass other parents who gave smaller gifts

Question 3

Which example best illustrates the ethical principle of 'non-maleficence' in educational practice?

Accepted Answer

Refraining from using public humiliation as a classroom management tool

Answer

Providing detailed feedback to help a student improve

Answer

Contacting parents regularly about student progress

Answer

Offering extra credit to boost failing students' grades

Question 4

A teacher suspects that a student's unexplained absences and withdrawn behavior may indicate neglect at home. The teacher should:

Accepted Answer

File a report with the Department of Children and Families (DCF)

Answer

Wait for more evidence before taking action

Answer

Speak directly to the student's parents to ask about home conditions

Answer

Discuss suspicions with other teachers to gather more opinions

Question 5

A teacher is writing a letter of recommendation for a student they believe is a poor fit for the program being applied to. Ethically, the teacher should:

Accepted Answer

Decline to write the letter or write an honest assessment

Answer

Write a glowing letter to give the student every advantage

Answer

Write the letter but omit negative information

Answer

Ask a colleague to write the letter instead without explanation

Question 6

Which statement best describes an educator's ethical responsibility regarding their own personal biases?

Accepted Answer

Educators should actively identify and work to mitigate their biases

Answer

Biases are natural and do not affect professional practice

Answer

Only biases related to race and gender need to be addressed

Answer

Personal biases are acceptable as long as they remain private

Question 7

A Massachusetts teacher is asked to participate in a union-organized work action during a school day. The teacher's primary ethical consideration should be:

Accepted Answer

The impact on students' educational experience

Answer

Loyalty to union colleagues

Answer

Protecting their own employment rights

Answer

Following the principal's direct instructions