Current through March 20, 2024
The following standards apply to all holders of public school
certificates.
004.01 Preamble
The educator shall believe in the worth and dignity of human
beings. Recognizing the supreme importance of the pursuit of truth, the
devotion to excellence and the nurture of democratic citizenship, the educator
shall regard as essential to these goals the protection of the freedom to learn
and to teach and the guarantee of equal educational opportunity for all. The
educator shall accept the responsibility to practice the profession to these
ethical standards.
The educator shall recognize the magnitude of the
responsibility he or she has accepted in choosing a career in education, and
engages, individually and collectively with other educators, to judge his or
her colleagues, and to be judged by them, in accordance with the provisions of
this chapter.
The standards listed in this section are held to be generally
accepted minimal standards for public school certificate holders in Nebraska
with respect to ethical and professional conduct and are, therefore, declared
to be the criteria of ethical and professional performance adopted pursuant to
the provisions of Section
79-866
R.R.S. for holders of public school certificates.
If the certificate holder is employed in a nonpublic school,
that context shall be taken into account in the application of these
standards.
004.02 Principle
I - Commitment as a Professional Educator
Fundamental to the pursuit of high educational standards is
the maintenance of a profession possessed of individuals with high skills,
intellect, integrity, wisdom, and compassion. The educator shall exhibit good
moral character, maintain high standards of performance and promote equality of
opportunity.
In fulfillment of the educator's contractual and professional
responsibilities, the educator:
004.02A Shall not interfere with the exercise
of political and citizenship rights and responsibilities of students,
colleagues, parents, school patrons, or school board members.
004.02B Shall not discriminate on the basis
of race, color, creed, gender, marital status, age, national origin, ethnic
background, or disability.
004.02C
Shall not use coercive means, or promise or provide special treatment to
students, colleagues, school patrons, or school board members in order to
influence professional decisions.
004.02D Shall not make any fraudulent
statement or fail to disclose a material fact for which the educator is
responsible.
004.02E Shall not
exploit professional relationships with students, colleagues, parents, school
patrons, or school board members for personal gain or private
advantage.
004.02F Shall not
sexually harass students, parents or school patrons, employees, or board
members.
004.02G Shall not have had
revoked for cause a teaching certificate, administrative certificate, or any
certificate enabling a person to engage in any of the activities for which a
special services certificate is issued in Nebraska.
004.02H Shall not engage in conduct involving
dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation in the performance of
professional duties.
004.02I Shall
report to the Commissioner any known violation of Sections
004.02G,
004.04E, or
004.05B of this
chapter.
004.02J Shall seek no
reprisal against any individual who has reported a violation of this
chapter.
004.03
Principle II - Commitment to the Student
Mindful that a profession exists for the purpose of serving
the best interests of the client, the educator shall practice the profession
with genuine interest, concern, and consideration for the student. The educator
shall work to stimulate the spirit of inquiry, the acquisition of knowledge and
understanding, and the thoughtful formulation of worthy goals.
In fulfillment of the obligation to the student, the
educator:
004.03A Shall permit the
student to pursue reasonable independent scholastic effort, and shall permit
the student access to varying points of view.
004.03B Shall not deliberately suppress or
distort subject matter for which the educator is responsible.
004.03C Shall make reasonable effort to
protect the student from conditions which interfere with the learning process
or are harmful to health or safety.
004.03D Shall conduct professional
educational activities in accordance with sound educational practices that are
in the best interest of the student.
004.03E Shall keep in confidence personally
identifiable information that has been obtained in the course of professional
service, unless disclosure serves professional purposes, or is required by
law.
004.03F Shall not tutor for
remuneration students assigned to his or her classes unless approved by the
local board of education.
004.03G
Shall not discipline students using corporal punishment.
004.04 Principle III - Commitment to the
Public
The magnitude of the responsibility inherent in the education
process requires dedication to the principles of our democratic heritage. The
educator bears particular responsibility for instilling an understanding of and
confidence in the rule of law, a respect for individual freedom, and a
responsibility to promote respect by the public for the integrity of the
profession.
In fulfillment of the obligation to the public, the
educator:
004.04A Shall not
misrepresent an institution with which the educator is affiliated, and shall
take added precautions to distinguish between the educator's personal and
institutional views.
004.04B Shall
not use institutional privileges for private gain or to promote political
candidates, political issues, or partisan political activities.
004.04C Shall neither offer nor accept gifts
or favors that will impair professional judgment.
004.04D Shall support the principle of due
process and protect the political, citizenship, and natural rights of all
individuals.
004.04E Shall not
commit any act of moral turpitude or any felony under the laws of the United
States or any state or territory, and shall not have a misdemeanor conviction
involving abuse, neglect, or sexual misconduct as defined in Sections 003.12
through 003.14 of 92 NAC 21.
004.04F Shall, with reasonable diligence,
attend to the duties of his or her professional position.
004.05 Principle IV - Commitment to the
Profession
In the belief that the quality of the services to the
education profession directly influences the nation and its citizens, the
educator shall exert every effort to raise professional standards, to improve
service, to promote a climate in which the exercise of professional judgment is
encouraged, and to achieve conditions which attract persons worthy of the trust
to careers in education. The educator shall believe that sound professional
relationships with colleagues are built upon personal integrity, dignity, and
mutual respect.
In fulfillment of the obligation to the profession, the
educator:
004.05A Shall provide upon
the request of an aggrieved party, a written statement of specific reasons for
recommendations that lead to the denial of increments, significant changes in
employment, or termination of employment.
004.05B Shall not misrepresent his or her
professional qualifications, nor those of colleagues.
004.05C Shall practice the profession only
with proper certification, and shall actively oppose the practice of the
profession by persons known to be unqualified.
004.06 Principle V - Commitment to
Professional Employment Practices
The educator shall regard the employment agreement as a
pledge to be executed both in spirit and in fact. The educator shall believe
that sound personnel relationships with governing boards are built upon
personal integrity, dignity, and mutual respect.
In fulfillment of the obligation to professional employment
practices, the educator:
004.06A Shall
apply for, accept, offer, or assign a position or responsibility on the basis
of professional preparation and legal qualifications.
004.06B Shall not knowingly withhold
information regarding a position from an applicant or employer, or misrepresent
an assignment or conditions of employment.
004.06C Shall give prompt notice to the
employer of any change in availability of service.
004.06D Shall conduct professional business
through designated procedures, when available, that have been approved by the
employing agency.
004.06E Shall not
assign to unqualified personnel, tasks for which an educator is
responsible.
004.06F Shall permit
no commercial or personal exploitation of his or her professional
position.
004.06G Shall use time on
duty and leave time for the purpose for which intended.
