Transcript Ethics in Education Act - Lee County Public Schools

Ethics in
Education
Act
Division of Human Resources
The School District of Lee County
Initial Points
Law requires school districts to adopt
policies and procedures for ethical conduct
 Applies to instructional personnel and
school administrators

– Instructional personnel includes teachers,
paraprofessionals, substitutes, media
specialists, psychologists…

HR is amending current policies and
procedures to comply with the law
Training
Summer Leadership
 Principal Meetings
 Employment Law Training
 Code of Ethics Training
 School-Based Training

– Professional Misconduct Brochure
Hiring

Conduct employment history check (now
mandated by law)
Must contact previous employer
 Document efforts to contact (even if

contact efforts fail, you must document
your efforts)

HR revising District Employment Reference
Form
Former Employee References
When providing a reference you are now
required to disclose misconduct, if any
 Only required to disclose misconduct to
educational employers seeking a reference

(school districts, colleges, charter schools,
private schools, etc.)

If personal knowledge of misconduct – disclose,
if not, do not disclose and refer to HR
(Department of Professional Standards and
Equity)
Reporting Requirements

All staff are required to report misconduct
– Conduct that affects the health, safety or welfare of a
student
Must report instructional staff and/or school
administrators that commit misconduct
 Contact school administrator and Department of
Professional Standards and Equity to report
misconduct
 Failure to report will result in discipline and
possible loss of certification

Posting Requirements
Notice must be posted in all schools
regarding requirement to report
misconduct
 DOE Web site has four sample posters
available
 Post in a conspicuous place
 Provide copies of the Misconduct Brochure
to staff

Section 1012.315, F.S.

Disqualification from employment for conviction
of specific criminal offenses
– law includes 49 offenses
Applies to instructional employees and school
administrators
 Background screening results are currently being
reviewed
 Law applies prospectively and retroactively
 Schools will be notified when employees are
identified

Questions?
Contact
Office of the Staff Attorney
335-1447