Activity 5: Law and Ethics

When reading the Facilitators Guide from Connecticut’s Teacher Education and Mentoring Program (2012), I choose Situations Involving Professional Ethics scenario 3, p12, about a teacher who has applied for a position without the required qualifications. The ethical dilemma that I want to bring to attention is fraud. Not only is this ethically wrong, but it can also be illegal. Obviously not when rigging a vote for student leader, but in formal documents and minutes from meetings.

Using Hall and Bishop’s (2000) Questions to Guide Ethical Decision Making I was able to determine:

·         What is the problem? It is illegal, dishonest, and morally wrong

·         Who are the main stakeholders with interests in the problem, and what are their interests? The people being conned and potentially all the school and community

·         Which courses of actions are least acceptable? Misleading people in C.V’s, appraisal documents, interviews, and qualifications

·         What can be done about it? This is really up to the principal, BOT, and Education Council

In my 9 years in the teaching game I have seen a few things that I should not of. One thing that continues to bamboozle me is amount of fraudulent activities that get swept under the carpet.

Teacher Appraisals

I have had mixed experiences with these. As a PRT the appraisal process was thorough on the road to full registration. As time went on there were years where I did nothing and was signed off, and other years where I provided detailed documentation. In reflection I am probably too hard on myself. I know of other teachers who do not share the same characteristic of honesty as I do. Yet every year they get signed off. It does make you wonder if “We are the suckers” because those that do the right thing are actually no better off than those that do not.

In terms of appraisal documentation the Education Council state that:

 “The principles are intended to educate, motivate and inspire members of the profession. At the same time, the Code is also a statement to learners, parents, whānau and the wider public about what may be expected of all certificated teachers in their professional roles.”

Ask yourself if you see this happens with every teacher every year or is it something to tick off?

Information in C.V.’s

This is another interesting debate. What is fraud and what is just a lie. Stating that you have a current first aide certificate, when you actually do not, is fraud. This is because it is a qualification. Stating that you played representative sport, when you actually did not, is just a lie. It only makes you a dishonest person. Information that you put in you C.V. can be misleading. But when competition is tight and bills need to be paid, would you tell a little ‘white lie’ to put your best foot forward?

Interviews

I have heard this 100 times; I can coach …….. But after appointments are made, this doesn’t seem to happen. “Sorry, too busy now.” Things brought up in interviews can be fraudulent from both parties. In many ways the interview process is flawed. In some situations, confident people can bluff their way through interviews compared to someone that actually has the skills. I have seen some excellent candidates denied teaching jobs because they were piped at the post at an interview.

Assessment Data
No one plays with this data to make themselves look good, so it's not really an issue. This has been happening since my old man sat School C. There are so many loop holes. 

One day I hope to be in a position where I can see through such dishonesty. I hope that I can keep my morale compass pointing north.

References

The Education Council Code of Ethics for Certificated Teachers. Retrieved from https://educationcouncil.org.nz/content/about-code-of-ethics

Ethical and Professional Dilemmas for Educators (2012). Understanding the code of professional responsibility of educators. Facilitators guide.

Hall, A. and Bishop, R. (2000). Teacher ethics, professionalism and Cultural diversity.