LOVE

According to the Florida Department of Education, educator misconduct occurs in various forms and ranges of severity -- from allegations of direct harm to students (such as physical or sexual abuse) to an act detrimental to the education profession (such as falsifying documents or records or cheating on a professional exam).

 

For the most part, misconduct by educators occurs either on the school campus or with members of the school community, but can also be something that happens outside of the school environment and does not involve students.

 

Misconduct that is detrimental to a school district includes:

• Insubordination, including any failure to follow an oral or written directive from a supervisor

• Violation of Board policy or Administrative Procedure

• Conduct that disrupts or may disrupt the educational program or process

• Conduct that violates any State or Federal law that relates to the employee’s duties

• Other sufficient causes

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How do you identify it?

Ethics and Conduct

• All District employees are expected to maintain high standards in their school relationships, to demonstrate integrity and honesty, to be considerate and cooperative, and to maintain professional and appropriate relationships with students, parents, staff members, and others.

• Any employee who sexually harasses a student or otherwise violates an employee conduct standard will be subject to discipline up to and including dismissal.

• All employees who use personal technology and social media shall adhere to the high standards for appropriate school relationships and conduct themselves appropriately and ethically.

• All employees are prohibited from engaging in unlawful manufacturing, dispensing, distribution, possession, use, or being under the influence of a controlled substance, while performing work for the district.

• All employees must abide by the terms of the policy respecting a drug-and alcohol-free workplace

• Employees must notify the supervisor of their conviction under any criminal drug statute for a violation occurring on school premises or while performing work for the District, no later than 5 calendar days after such a conviction.

 

How do you address it?

Line and Staff Relations

• The Superintendent shall develop an organizational chart indicating the channels of authority and reporting relationships for school personnel. These channels should be followed, and no level should be by-passed except in unusual situations.

• All personnel should refer matters requiring administrative action to the responsible administrator, and may appeal a decision to a higher administrative officer. Whenever possible, each employee should be responsible to only one immediate supervisor. Where this is not possible, the division of responsibility must be clear.

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How should you NOT approach the situation?

You should not discuss the situation with co-workers or others before going through the appropriate channels of authority. Documentation is necessary to protect yourself as well. Protect yourself: DOCUMENT EVERYTHING!

 

For more information about educator misconduct, visit:

• 2010 Policy Reference Illinois Association of School Boards

• Safe and Drug-Free School and Communities Act of 1994

• http://www2.ed.gov/rschstat/research/pubs/misconductreview/report.pdf

  • 2004 Government article compiling the “current” information on educator sexual misconduct.

• http://www.fldoe.org/edstandards/misconduct_parent_faq.asp

  • Florida Department of Education information on what qualifies as educator

  • misconduct, mainly the steps that parents can take if they suspect something.

• http://share.cornell.edu/policies-laws/sexual-misconduct-defined/

  • More information on sexual misconduct, what it is, how to recognize it, what if you don’t recognize it right away, etc.​