Code of Ethics/PLSB
Watch the Code of Ethics video at https://youtu.be/3xLo0ZiY6mE?t=1s.
The Code of Ethics for Arkansas Educators defines minimum standards of ethical conduct for all educators. The State Board of Education approved the standards on September 1, 2008. The DESE Rules Governing the Code of Ethics for Arkansas Educators further define these standards and provides a process for investigating alleged violations.
What is expected of Arkansas Educators?
Standard 1
An educator maintains a professional relationship with each student, both in and outside the classroom.
Standard 2
An educator maintains competence regarding his or her professional practice, inclusive of professional and ethical behavior, skills, knowledge, dispositions, and responsibilities relating to his or her organizational position.
Standard 3
An educator honestly fulfills reporting obligations associated with professional practices.
Standard 4
An educator entrusted with public funds and property, including school sponsored activity funds, honors that trust with honest, responsible stewardship.
Standard 5
An educator maintains integrity regarding the acceptance of any gratuity, gift, compensation or favor that might impair or appear to influence professional decisions or actions and shall refrain from using the educator’s position for personal gain.
Standard 6
An educator keeps in confidence secure standardized test materials and results, and maintains integrity regarding test administration procedures.
Standard 7
An educator maintains the confidentiality of information about students and colleagues obtained in the course of the educator's professional services that is protected under state law or regulations, federal law or regulations, or the written policies of the educator's school district, unless disclosure serves a professional purpose as allowed or required by law or regulations.
Standard 8
An educator, while on school premises or at school-sponsored activities involving students, refrains from:
- a) using, possessing and/or being under the influence of alcohol or unauthorized drugs/substances, and/or possessing items prohibited by law, or
- b) possessing or using tobacco or tobacco-related products, e-cigarettes, e-liquid, or vapor products, or
- c) abusing/misusing prescription medications or other authorized substances as evidenced by impairment
Who has to abide by the Code of Ethics?
Arkansas law mandates that every person with a valid Arkansas teaching license, pre-service teachers, and all educators teaching under an Act 1240 waiver are required to abide by the Code of Ethics for Arkansas Educators.
Who can file a complaint?
Any person can fill out an allegation form and file it with the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education, school district superintendent, or a public school district, but it must be signed under penalty of perjury.
Where can I find more resources?
Social Networking is prevalent in all aspects of our society and the Professional Licensure Standards Board created recommendations and guidelines for educators and public schools to encourage the utilization of technology for the benefits of education, while avoiding unprofessional social networking between educators and students. The PLSB has also sponsored two courses on ArkansasIDEAS: Social Media Guidelines and Digital Citizenship Curricula K-12.
For more information, please contact:
Whitney James, Managing Attorney
Professional Licensure Standards Board
Four Capitol Mall - Box 30
Little Rock, AR 72201
Work Phone: (501) 682-0166
Email: Whitney.James@ade.arkansas.gov