Ethics & Academic Integrity

At South Carolina Teachers of Tomorrow, we’re proud of the personal commitment and relationship we have with each of our candidates and interns. Our success is contingent on the candidate’s success, not only through completion of the certification process, but through the representation of our program as the leading source of the finest professional, innovative, and honorable educators in the state of South Carolina.

Our relationship with the candidate is founded on the basic principles of mutual respect, accountability, and responsibility. As a teacher in the state of South Carolina, candidates are bound by the Educator’s Code of Ethics and Standards.

A. The professional educator demonstrates responsibility to oneself as an ethical professional by:
1. Holding oneself responsible for ethical conduct;
2. Taking responsibility and credit only for work actually performed or produced, and acknowledging the work and contributions made by others.

These are the core tenets that define the candidate as a teacher, a role model, and as a person in a position of public trust in the community.

Academic integrity is a fundamental measure of the candidate’s commitment to South Carolina Teachers of Tomorrow, the community, and the profession. South Carolina Teachers of Tomorrow expects that all candidates demonstrate the utmost integrity in all aspects and requirements of the certification process, including those conducted in an electronic or online format.

Examples of violations of the standard of academic integrity include:
• Cheating on an exam or quiz
• Submitting the work of others as the candidate’s own
• Falsifying records
• Having others complete requirements on the candidate’s behalf
• Sharing answers or work with others

Any candidate or intern found to be engaged in academic dishonesty and/or in violation of the principles addressed in the Principles of Ethical Conduct for the Education Profession in South Carolina may be immediately released from the program and jeopardize their employment as an educator.

OVERVIEW

The professional educator strives to create a learning environment that nurtures to fulfillment the potential of all students.

The professional educator acts with conscientious effort to exemplify the highest ethical standards.

The professional educator responsibly accepts that every child has a right to an uninterrupted education free from strikes or any other work stoppage tactics.

PRINCIPLE I: Ethical Conduct toward Students

The professional educator accepts personal responsibility for teaching students character qualities that will help them evaluate the consequences of and accept the responsibility for their actions and choices. We strongly affirm parents as the primary moral educators of their children. Nevertheless, we believe all educators are obligated to help foster civic virtues such as integrity, diligence, responsibility, cooperation, loyalty, fidelity, and respect-for the law, for human life, for others, and for self.

The professional educator, in accepting his or her position of public trust, measures success not only by the progress of each student toward realization of his or her personal potential, but also as a citizen of the greater community of the republic.

1. The professional educator deals considerately and justly with each student, and seeks to resolve problems, including discipline, according to law and school policy.

2. The professional educator does not intentionally expose the student to disparagement.

3. The professional educator does not reveal confidential information concerning students, unless required by law.

4. The professional educator makes a constructive effort to protect the student from conditions detrimental to learning, health, or safety.

5. The professional educator endeavors to present facts without distortion, bias, or personal prejudice.

PRINCIPLE II: Ethical Conduct toward Practices and Performance

The professional educator assumes responsibility and accountability for his or her performance and continually strives to demonstrate competence.

The professional educator endeavors to maintain the dignity of the profession by respecting and obeying the law, and by demonstrating personal integrity.

1. The professional educator applies for, accepts, or assigns a position or a responsibility on the basis of professional qualifications, and adheres to the terms of a contract or appointment.

2. The professional educator maintains sound mental health, physical stamina, and social prudence necessary to perform the duties of any professional assignment.

3. The professional educator continues professional growth.

4. The professional educator complies with written local school policies and applicable laws and regulations that are not in conflict with this code of ethics.

5. The professional educator does not intentionally misrepresent official policies of the school or educational organizations, and clearly distinguishes those views from his or her own personal opinions.

6. The professional educator honestly accounts for all funds committed to his or her charge.

7. The professional educator does not use institutional or professional privileges for personal or partisan advantage.

PRINCIPLE III: Ethical Conduct toward Professional Colleagues

The professional educator, in exemplifying ethical relations with colleagues, accords just and equitable treatment to all members of the profession.

1. The professional educator does not reveal confidential information concerning colleagues unless required by law.

2. The professional educator does not willfully make false statements about a colleague or the school system.

3. The professional educator does not interfere with a colleague’s freedom of choice, and works to eliminate coercion that forces educators to support actions and ideologies that violate individual professional integrity.

PRINCIPLE IV: Ethical Conduct toward Parents and Community

The professional educator pledges to protect public sovereignty over public education and private control of private education.

The professional educator recognizes that quality education is the common goal of the public, boards of education, and educators, and that a cooperative effort is essential among these groups to attain that goal.

1. The professional educator makes concerted efforts to communicate to parents all information that should be revealed in the interest of the student.

2. The professional educator endeavors to understand and respect the values and traditions of the diverse cultures represented in the community and in his or her classroom.

3. The professional educator manifests a positive and active role in school/community relations.

These standards can be found on the website of the  Association of American Educators.