The ethics policy was last updated on 14 April 2020.

Introduction

Each educator, upon entering the education profession, assumes a number of obligations, one of which is to adhere to a set of principles which defines professional conduct. These principles are reflected in the following code of ethics, which sets forth to the education profession and the public it serves standards of professional conduct and procedures for implementation. This code shall apply to all staff member selected according to rules established by the administration. 

Standards of Professional Conduct

•  Integrity
  Behavior of the staff member is consistent with a set of positive moral and ethical principles and standards, based on core values.

• Honesty
  All staff members in KASH should avoid systematically any form of cheating, lying, fraud, theft, extortion or other dishonest behaviours.

• Respect for Others
  All staff members in KASH must show respect for the dignity and for the physical and psychic integrity of beneficiaries and stakeholders.

• Trust
  All staff members in KASH can have a firm belief in the reliability of each other to be honest, truthful and act with integrity.

• Accountability
  All staff members in KASH are held responsible for executing their powers properly.

• Fairness
  All staff members in KASH must treat others with impartiality, free from discrimination or dishonesty.

• Quality Education
  All staff members in KASH recognising their unconditional commitment to achieving educational provision which is of the highest quality possible.

• Personal and Systems Improvement
  All staff members in KASH recognising the importance of making the maximum contribution possible to the continuous improvement of the education system.

Model Code of Educator Ethics

There are four principles, which broadly define critical dimensions of ethical practice expected of the professional educator each followed by performance indicators that more specifically define aspects within each principle.

Principle I: Responsibility to the Profession

The professional educator demonstrates responsibility to oneself as an ethical professional by:

1. Acknowledging that lack of awareness, knowledge, or understanding of the Code is not, in itself, a defense to a charge of unethical conduct;
2. Knowing and upholding the procedures, policies, laws and regulations relevant to professional practice regardless of personal views;
3. Holding oneself responsible for ethical conduct;
4. Avoiding the use of one’s position for personal gain and avoiding the appearance of impropriety;
5. Cooperating fully during ethics investigations and proceedings. 

Principle II: Responsibility for Professional Competence

The professional educator is committed to the highest levels of professional and ethical practice, including demonstration of the knowledge, skills and dispositions required for professional competence.

The professional educator demonstrates commitment to high standards of practice through:

1. Advocating for equitable educational opportunities for all students;
2. Accepting the responsibilities, performing duties and providing services corresponding to the area of certification, licensure, and training of one’s position;
3. Reflecting upon and assessing one’s professional skills, content knowledge, and competency on an ongoing basis; and
4. Committing to ongoing professional learning.
5. The professional educator demonstrates responsible use of data, materials, research.
6. Using developmentally appropriate assessments for the purposes for which they are intended and for which they have been validated to guide educational decisions;
7. Seeking and using evidence, instructional data, research, and professional knowledge to inform practice;
8. Using data, data sources, or findings accurately and reliably.

The professional educator acts in the best interest of all students by:

1. Increasing students’ access to the curriculum, activities, and resources in order to provide a quality and equitable educational experience.
2. Working to engage the enterprise community to close achievement, opportunity, and attainment gaps.

Principle III: Responsibility to Students

The professional educator respects the rights and dignity of students by:

1. Respecting students by taking into account their age, gender, culture, setting and socioeconomic context;
2. Interacting with students with transparency and in appropriate settings;
3. Communicating with students in a clear, respectful, and culturally sensitive manner.

The professional educator demonstrates an ethic of care through:

1. Seeking to understand students’ educational, academic, personal and social needs as well as students’ values, beliefs, and cultural background;
   
2. Respecting the dignity, worth, and uniqueness of each individual student.
   

The professional educator maintains student trust and confidentiality when interacting with students in a developmentally appropriate manner and within appropriate limits by:

1. Respecting the privacy of students and the need to hold in confidence certain forms of student communication, documents, or information obtained in the course of professional practice;
   
2. Upholding parents’/guardians’ legal rights, as well as any legal requirements to reveal information related to legitimate concerns for the well-being of a student; and
   

3. Protecting the confidentiality of student records and releasing personal data in accordance with prescribed state and federal laws and local policies.

Principle IV: Responsibility to the enterprise Community

The professional educator promotes effective and appropriate relationships with the community and other stakeholders by:

1. Advocating for policies and laws that the educator supports as promoting the education. 
   
2. Collaborating with community agencies, organizations, and individuals in order to advance students’ best interests without regard to personal reward or remuneration; and
   
3. Maintaining the highest professional standards of accuracy, honesty, and appropriate disclosure of information when representing the enterprise within the community.
   

The professional educator promotes effective and appropriate relationships with employers by:

1. Using property, facilities, materials, and resources in accordance with local policies and laws;
   
2. Respecting intellectual property ownership rights (e.g. original lesson plans, district level curricula, syllabi, gradebooks, etc.) when sharing materials;
   
3. Exhibiting personal and professional conduct that is in the best interest of the organization, learning community, and profession; and
   
4. Considering the implications of offering or accepting gifts and/or preferential treatment by vendors or an individual in a position of professional influence or power.
   

Approved by KASH Enterprise Administration in April 2020.

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