Teachers constantly face legal and ethical dilemmas, especially involving special education. Important questions of new teachers can include what the constitutional rights and responsibilities of teachers, students, administrators, school districts, and parents are; what laws govern the teaching profession; what significant ethical issues related to teaching affect teachers and students; and how these ethical issues affect teachers and students.

Because special education laws are continuously evolving and changing, new teachers, as well as experienced teachers, need to stay up to date with recent court rulings and ethical situations involving education, teaching, teachers, students, administrators, other school personnel, and parents. This section will be continuously updated to provide the latest and most significant information and resources that new teachers need as they encounter the myriad of legal and ethical situations.

Visit the The Code of Ethics for Educators on the Georgia Professional Standards Commission website.

Internet Links:

• The Code of Ethics for Educators:  This links to the Georgia Professional Standards Commission’s website containing the code of ethics in the form of a brochure, handbook, and information on moral turpitude.
  
  
• Teachers and the Law: This site links to information about various laws that affect teachers and schools, including historic court cases and legal resources.
  
  
• National Education Association Code of Ethics: This site contains the code of ethics for the National Education Association regarding both the educator's commitment to students and to the profession.

• Confidentiality: This site offers information on handling the records of students, especially those with disabilities.

• Rights of Students: This site offers links to websites regarding students' rights, including freedom of expression, dress codes, and search and seizure.

• Rights of Teachers: This site offers information on teachers' rights, including tenure and dismissal, local and state laws, and teacher certification.

• Sexual Harassment: This site offers information on sexual harassment in schools, including a definition, common places and times it occurs, and the responsibility of educators to prevent it from occurring.

• Bullying: This site offers a wealth of information and links on the topic of bullying, both at school and online. Other topics include how to spot bullying when it is occurring and tips on how to prevent and reduce bullying.

• FERPA: This site, run by Warren College, offers information on the Federal Educational Rights & Privacy Act (FERPA) and how it relates to student confidentiality.