Georgia Educator Ethics Assessment

The Georgia Educator Ethics assessment is composed of a series of interactive modules that combine instruction and testing. The modules focus on professionalism in education — in teachers' and educational leaders' relationships with their students, their schools, their colleagues, and their communities — as well as on ethical understanding to guide decision making, and the specific regulations and expectations that educators face in Georgia. Some of the modules include an end-of-module test with immediate feedback and an end-of-course, or summative, test.

After completing the assessment, test takers should know:

• some of their general obligations under the law, relevant regulations, and best practices
• the principles embodied in the Georgia Code of Ethics for Educators meant to guide the conduct of educators
• the values and ideals that can help guide them even when the "rules" are not clear
• tools to help balance the often competing obligations and expectations in relationships with students, the school, their colleagues, and the community
• the techniques, analysis, and mindset they may need to make ethical decisions that serve the safety and well-being of every student, their need for an honorable career, and the integrity of the education profession

Note: The instruction, scenarios, and solutions presented in this assessment are not legal advice. Ethical decisions are highly dependent on the specific facts and circumstances of a situation. The situations and options for resolution offered in this assessment are for illustrative purposes only, and may not cover all of the possible scenarios, obstacles, decisions, and outcomes associated with the ethical situation being presented. These scenarios should be treated as hypothetical examples, and should not be used as the determining factor in the handling of a real-life ethical scenario. The educator’s call for judgment may be different from those expected in the scenarios presented in this assessment. The situations presented in the assessment may be more or less realistic than a real-life scenario, in order to illustrate the various factors that contribute to each specific scenario’s potential outcomes and to help guide the educator to clearly understand the scenario and its possible options for resolution. When faced with ethical decisions, educators are urged to take advantage of guidance from your supervisor, as well as resources available to them through their program providers, school and school district personnel, the GaPSC, and other appropriate sources.

Module 1 — The Professional Educator: The Trailer

The first module is a short video that introduces the concept of the professional educator; it does not include a test.

Module 2 — The Professional Educator: An Introduction

In this module, the hosts of the assessment provide an overview of the learning modules. This module does not include an end-of-module test.

Module 3 — The Professional Educator and the Student

This module explores an educator's ethical and legal obligations to students and in the classroom. Issues included are appropriate relationships, social media, evaluations, and emotional objectivity. It features multiple scenario-based interactivities and includes an end-of-module test. Subtopics covered in this end-of-module test include appropriate relationships with students, conflicts of interest, and honesty in grading and evaluation.

Module 4 — The Professional Educator and the School

This module explores educators' ethical and legal obligations in their dealings with their school and in their relationships with colleagues and administrators. Issues included are online activities, extracurricular activities, honest reporting, and transparency. It features multiple scenario-based interactivities and includes an end-of-module test.

Subtopics covered in this end-of-module test include the concept of the school, mandatory reporting, and transparency and honesty.

Module 5 — The Professional Educator and the Community

This module explores the ethical and legal issues that confront educators as members of their community. Issues included are use of public funds, relationships with parents, side businesses, drug and alcohol use, and confidentiality. It features scenario-based interactivities and includes an end-of-module test.

Subtopics covered in this end-of-module test include confidentiality, stewardship of public trust, and use of tobacco, drugs, and alcohol.

Module 6 — Ethical Decision Making for the Professional Educator

In this module, educators practice applying what they have learned about ethical decision making, and experience first-hand how well-intentioned, short-term decisions can lead to bad outcomes. It includes scenarios featuring video and social media interactions. There is an end-of-module test. Subtopics covered in this end-of-module test include being proactive about issues and speaking up, maintaining objectivity and neutrality, ensuring student safety and welfare, being a steward for the law and public trust, and promoting objectivity and neutrality.

Module 7 — The Professional Educator in Georgia

This module explores the legal and regulatory obligations that are unique to Georgia. It is the final module in the learning progression for all Georgia educators. It includes an end-of-module test.

Educator Ethics — End-of-Course/Summative Test

The end-of-course, or summative, test includes questions related to the topics covered in all of the modules.

Georgia Ethics for Educational Leadership Assessment

The Georgia Ethics for Educational Leadership assessment is composed of a series of interactive modules that combine instruction and testing. The modules focus on professionalism in education — in teachers' and educational leaders' relationships with their students, their schools, their colleagues, and their communities — as well as on ethical understanding to guide decision making, and the specific regulations and expectations that educators face in Georgia. Some of the modules include an end-of-module test with immediate feedback and include an end-of-course, or summative, test.

After completing the assessment, test takers should know:

• some of their general obligations under the law, relevant regulations, and best practices
• the principles embodied in the Georgia Code of Ethics for Educators meant to guide the conduct of educators
• the values and ideals that can help guide them even when the "rules" are not clear
• tools to help balance the often competing obligations and expectations in relationships with students, the school, their colleagues, and the community
• the techniques, analysis, and mindset they may need to make ethical decisions that serve the safety and well-being of every student, their need for an honorable career, and the integrity of the education profession

Note: The instruction, scenarios, and solutions presented in this assessment are not legal advice. Ethical decisions are highly dependent on the specific facts and circumstances of a situation. The situations and options for resolution offered in this assessment are for illustrative purposes only, and may not cover all of the possible scenarios, obstacles, decisions, and outcomes associated with the ethical situation being presented. These scenarios should be treated as hypothetical examples, and should not be used as the determining factor in the handling of a real-life ethical scenario. The educator’s call for judgment may be different from those expected in the scenarios presented in this assessment. The situations presented in the assessment may be more or less realistic than a real-life scenario, in order to illustrate the various factors that contribute to each specific scenario’s potential outcomes and to help guide the educator to clearly understand the scenario and its possible options for resolution. When faced with ethical decisions, educators are urged to take advantage of guidance from your supervisor, as well as resources available to them through their program providers, school and school district personnel, the GaPSC, and other appropriate sources.

Module 1 — The Professional Educator: The Trailer

The first Module is a short video that introduces the concept of the professional educator; it does not include a test.

Module 2 — The Professional Educator: An Introduction

In this module, the hosts of the assessment provide an overview of the learning modules. This module does not include an end-of-module test.

Module 3 — The Professional Educator and the Student

This module explores an educator’s ethical and legal obligations to students and in the classroom, and how educational leaders establish and maintain an environment that promotes the emotional, intellectual and physical safety of all students. Issues included are appropriate relationships, social media, evaluations, and emotional objectivity. It features multiple scenario-based interactivities and includes an end-of-module test.

Module 4 — The Professional Educator and the School

This module explores ethical challenges that can arise in dealing with colleagues, and when and how to report a problem. It also covers when an educator’s professional responsibilities can apply far beyond the walls of the school building. Issues included are online activities, extracurricular activities, honest reporting, and transparency. It features multiple scenario-based interactivities and includes an end-of-module test.

Module 5 — The Professional Educator and the Community

This module explores the ethical and legal issues that confront educators as members of their community. It examines how leaders raise awareness and expectations and set boundaries. Issues included are use of public funds, relationships with parents, side businesses, drug and alcohol use, and confidentiality. It features scenario-based interactivities and includes an end-of-module test.

Module 6 — Ethical Decision Making for the Professional Educator

In this module, you practice applying what you have learned throughout the assessment about ethical decision making, and experience first-hand how well-intentioned, short-term decisions can lead to bad outcomes. It includes scenarios featuring video and social media interactions. There is an end-of-module test.

Module 7— Leading the Professional Educator

This module focuses on leadership and the unique ethical challenges leaders face in their role. It also explores how leadership affects the culture of ethical decision making within the professional learning communities. There is an end-of-module test.

Module 8 — The Professional Educator in Georgia

This module explores the legal and regulatory obligations that are unique to educators and educational leaders in Georgia. It is the final module in the learning progression for all Georgia educators. It includes an end-of-module test.

Georgia Ethics for Educational Leadership End-of-Course/Summative Test

The end-of-course, or summative, test includes questions related to the topics covered in all of the modules.