key areas | support & grow | professional conduct | tip sheets & scenarios
tip sheets & scenarios
Use the resources provided here to help educators develop a deeper understanding of the Licensure Code of Professional Conduct for Ohio Educators and to support ethical decision making.
ABConduct Tip Sheets
Help staff recognize situations that can get good educators in trouble.
Social Media: Most educators carry smart phones that give them the instant ability to use social media, but this can blur the line between work and personal life.
Extracurricular Leaders: Athletic coaches, music directors and club advisors make a life-shaping impact on their students, but they also face unique situations.
Dollars & Sense: If educators fail to properly manage public funds, even by accident, they can be held personally and professionally liable.
Drugs & Alcohol: If an educator inappropriately uses alcohol, tobacco or drugs, even outside of school, the educator may be putting his or her license at risk.
Top 10 Professional Conduct Concerns: Most educators care about their professional conduct, but they still can make small, avoidable mistakes that lead to larger consequences.
Testing and Academic Integrity: Accurate reporting of student progress is a serious responsibility that can affect students’ academic success. If educators fail to accurately measure and report data, their professional license may be at risk.
Rapback and Applications: Failing to disclose a criminal history when applying for or renewing licenses can result in professional discipline.
Classroom Management and Etiquette: The classroom is a busy place and situations can escalate quickly without notice. To prevent situations from getting out of hand, educators should implement positive classroom management techniques.
Broken Contracts: Ohio teachers, principals, superintendents and others are tasked with providing consistent, stable learning environments for their students. Educators fail to honor this obligation when they terminate their contracts after July 10 of any school year or any time during the school year. In addition to creating uncertainty for their students and districts, it also can put educators’ professional licenses at risk.
Educational Leadership: Unprofessional interactions by educational leaders can result in professional discipline and derail even the best education environments.
Remote Instruction: Tips to help educators instruct their students remotely while maintaining the highest educational and ethical standards.
Professional Boundaries and Personal Business: With many educators working from home, the lines between personal and professional time, as well as equipment, may blur.
Professional Conduct Scenarios
Engage licensed staff in conversations about common situations that could have professional consequences and identify ways to mitigate those risks.
The Licensure Code of Professional Conduct for Ohio Educators defines nine principles that serve as the basis for decisions on issues pertaining to licensure and provide a guide for conduct in situations that have professional implications for all individuals licensed by the State Board of Education, such as teachers, principals, superintendents, and other persons serving schools (e.g., school nurses, coaches, substitute teachers). Use these scenarios to facilitate a deeper understanding of the code of conduct.
Code of Conduct Principles
Professional Behavior: Scenarios | Facilitator Notes
Professional Relationship with Students: Scenarios | Facilitator Notes
Accurate Reporting: Scenarios | Facilitator Notes
Criminal Acts: Scenarios | Facilitator Notes
Confidentiality: Scenarios | Facilitator Notes
Use/Possession/Unlawful Distribution of Drugs, Alcohol, and Tobacco: Scenarios | Facilitator Notes
Financial Management and Improper Compensation Personal Gain: Scenarios | Facilitator Notes
Commitment to Contract: Scenarios | Facilitator Notes
Appropriate and Responsible Use of Technology: Scenarios | Facilitator Notes