Academic Guides: EdS in Educational Leadership and Administration (Principal Preparation) Program Candidate Handbook: Appendix E: Licensure Code of Professional Conduct for Ohio Educators

To qualify for the Ohio principal license, Walden candidates are required to know certain aspects of the Ohio education system, including the Licensure Code of Professional Conduct for Ohio Educators.

The Licensure Code of Professional Conduct for Ohio Educators represents the standards of professional conduct expected of all educators, including principals, and must be strictly followed. It is critical that all principal candidates are well-versed in each part of the code and that they begin assuming the stance it describes immediately upon commencing the Principal Licensure Preparation program. Failure to adhere to these standards will result in disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion from the program. Ohio’s code of conduct, duplicated in its entirety below, can be accessed on the Ohio Department of Education’s website.

Licensure Code of Professional Conduct for Ohio Educators

(Adopted September 17, 2019, State Board of Education)

Educators are entrusted by the public with the responsibility of providing a high-quality education to each student. Through various roles, these professionals devote themselves to providing a safe and nurturing environment in which all students can learn. In alignment with the Standards for Ohio Educators and Ohio’s Learning Standards, Ohio’s educators strive for excellence through the high expectations they hold for themselves and their students. The professional conduct of every educator affects attitudes toward the profession. Educators are trustees of the profession and share with the broader community the responsibility of providing high-quality public education. Educators recognize the need to balance the demands of the profession by caring for their own physical and emotional well-being in order to successfully carry out their professional responsibilities.

Aware of the importance of maintaining the confidence and trust of students, parents, colleagues and the public, Ohio educators maintain the highest degree of professional conduct for themselves and their peers. Ohio educators are all individuals applying for a credential or individuals credentialed by the State Board of Education, and the Licensure Code of Professional Conduct for Ohio Educators serves as the basis for decisions on issues pertaining to licensure that are consistent with applicable law. It provides a guide for conduct in situations that have professional implications for all individuals such as teachers, principals, superintendents, educational aides, coaches, substitute teachers and others credentialed by the State Board of Education.

Ohio is nationally known as a state that produces high-quality educators and recognizes that its 250,000 practicing educators hold the fundamental beliefs defined in the following nine principles:

Educators behave in a professional manner, realizing that one’s actions reflect directly on the status and substance of the profession.
Educators maintain a professional relationship with all students at all times, both in and out of the classroom.
Educators accurately report information required by the local board of education or governing board, state education agency, federal agency or state or federal law.
Educators adhere to federal, state and local laws and statutes regarding criminal activity.
Educators comply with state and federal laws related to maintaining confidential information.
Educators serve as positive role models and do not use, possess or unlawfully distribute illegal or unauthorized drugs.
Educators ensure that school property, public funds or fees paid by students or the community are used in the best interest of students and not for personal gain.
Educators fulfill all of the terms and obligations in their employment contract.
Educators use technology in a responsible manner and safeguard the electronic devices and data entrusted to them.

As education is a public trust, the Ohio Department of Education pursues allegations of unprofessional conduct. The Department recognizes that an accusation of misconduct is not conclusive proof that the educator engaged in conduct unbecoming. By law, educators are entitled to all due process rights, with each circumstance considered on a case-by-case basis to determine appropriate action. Not all referrals or investigations result in disciplinary action. The Licensure Code of Professional Conduct for Ohio Educators includes the presumptive range of applicable disciplinary actions involving any individual credentialed by the State Board of Education.

1. Professional Behavior

Educators shall behave as professionals realizing that their actions reflect directly on the status and substance of the education profession.

An educator serves as a positive role model to both students and adults and is responsible for preserving the dignity and integrity of the teaching profession and for practicing the profession according to the highest ethical standards.

Conduct unbecoming to the profession includes, but is not limited to, the following actions:

Failing to adhere to the Licensure Code of Professional Conduct for Ohio Educators.
Assisting another in committing an act of conduct unbecoming, as described in the Licensure Code of Professional Conduct for Ohio Educators.
Having a continuing physical or mental inability, incapacity or addiction that significantly impacts the educator’s ability to carry out his or her professional responsibilities and renders the educator incapable of safely maintaining the care, custody and control of students.
Committing any violation of state or federal laws, statutes or rules although the conduct may not have resulted in a criminal charge, indictment, prosecution or conviction. (Except as noted in Principle 6(b), this does not include traffic violations.)
Disparaging a colleague, peer, or other school personnel while working in a professional setting (teaching, coaching, supervising or conferencing) on the basis of race or ethnicity, socioeconomic status, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, political or religious affiliation, physical characteristics, age, disability or English language proficiency.
Harassing, intimidating, or retaliating against a colleague, peer, or other school personnel.
Sexually harassing any student, minor or adult in the school community.
Failing to complete a criminal background check, as required by state or federal law.
Violating local, state or federal procedures related to the security of standardized tests, test supplies or resources.
Negligently failing to verify, prior to hiring, recommending for employment, or issuing payment, except as permitted by law, that an educator possesses the appropriate credential type for the educator’s position (for example, the appropriate credential type means a teacher must possess a teaching credential, principal a principal credential, superintendent a superintendent credential, etc.).
Accepting or holding employment that requires the educator to engage in activities or duties outside the scope of the educator’s credential type.
Being disciplined by another state educational entity or other professional licensing board or entity for unethical conduct.
Committing an act of academic dishonesty (for example, plagiarism, falsification, fabrication, sabotage, or cheating in an academic setting).
Engaging in nepotism, as prohibited by local, state, or federal law.

2. Professional Relationship with Students

Educators shall maintain a professional relationship with all students at all times, both in and out of the classroom.

An educator’s responsibility includes nurturing the intellectual, physical, emotional, social and civic potential of all students and providing a safe environment free from harassment, intimidation and criminal activity. An educator creates, supports and maintains an appropriate learning environment for all students and fulfills the roles of trusted confidante, mentor and advocate for students’ rights while maintaining appropriate professional, emotional and social boundaries. An educator must serve as a champion against child abuse and be cognizant of student behaviors that suggest abuse or neglect.