SBEC - State Board for Educator Professional Roles and Ethics Questions and Answers

Question 1

A teacher, while coaching after school, notices a student has several unexplained bruises on their arms and seems unusually withdrawn.
When asked, the student becomes evasive.
According to the Texas Family Code, what is the teacher's primary legal and ethical responsibility?

Accepted Answer

Immediately report their suspicions to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) or a law enforcement agency.

Answer

Wait for more definitive proof or a confession from the student before taking any action.

Answer

Schedule a conference with the student's parents to discuss the bruises and the student's behavior.

Answer

Delegate the responsibility of reporting to the school counselor or principal.

Question 2

A teacher is having lunch in the school cafeteria with several colleagues. The teacher begins discussing a specific student's failing grades and behavioral issues in a voice loud enough for other students and staff to overhear. This action is a violation of which of the following?

Accepted Answer

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

Answer

The Texas Educators' Code of Ethics standard regarding professional collaboration.

Answer

The Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).

Answer

The school district's acceptable use policy for technology.

Question 3

According to the Texas Educators' Code of Ethics, which of the following actions constitutes a violation of an educator's responsibility to their professional colleagues?

Accepted Answer

Knowingly making false statements that harm a colleague's professional reputation.

Answer

Respectfully disagreeing with a colleague's instructional strategy during a team planning meeting.

Answer

Serving as a mentor for a new teacher and providing constructive feedback.

Answer

Collaborating with a grade-level team to develop a common assessment.

Question 4

A high school teacher wants to show a 5-minute clip from a copyrighted, feature-length documentary to support a history lesson. To ensure this action falls under the 'Fair Use' doctrine for educational purposes, which condition is most important for the teacher to meet?

Accepted Answer

The portion used is a small, relevant part of the whole work and is used for non-profit instructional purposes.

Answer

The teacher owns a personal copy of the documentary on DVD.

Answer

The teacher gives verbal credit to the film's director before showing the clip.

Answer

The documentary is widely available for streaming online.

Question 5

To maintain a Standard Certificate in Texas, a classroom teacher is required to complete a specific number of Continuing Professional Education (CPE) hours every five years. What is the primary purpose of this SBEC requirement?

Accepted Answer

To ensure educators continually update their knowledge and skills in content, best practices, research, and technology.

Answer

To provide a method for teachers to increase their annual salary.

Answer

To mandate that all teachers eventually obtain a master's degree in education.

Answer

To require teachers to become certified in multiple subject areas.

Question 6

A teacher receives a friend request on a personal social media account from a current 10th-grade student. Which of the following is the most ethical and professionally responsible action for the teacher to take?

Accepted Answer

Decline the request and, if necessary, privately explain the need to maintain professional boundaries.

Answer

Accept the request to build a better rapport with the student.

Answer

Ignore the request and do not mention it to the student.

Answer

Accept the request but change privacy settings to limit what the student can see.