The responsibilities and roles of teachers shall be defined to meet the established and educationally sound needs of current instructional programs and changing social conditions. The following are based on legal references found in the Washington Administrative Code (WAC).

1) Examples of activities consistent with the role of a teacher are the following: teaching, communicating, counseling, planning, supervising, self-improving, managing.

2) As professional staff members, all educators are expected to perform certain duties that contribute to the activity program, to the guidance program, and to the good climate and efficient operation of the school. In addition to the specific assignment of classroom instruction or other building duties, each teacher is expected to assume his or her equitable share of responsibility for the operation of the school, the guidance and counseling of students, and the sponsorship and support of the student activity program.

3) The teacher assumes a shared responsibility with the total building staff or supervision and maintenance of order.

4) The teacher is expected to participate in professional staff development activities to enhance competence in the use of educational materials, instructional programs, and other professional skills.

5) The teacher is responsible for assigning and evaluating the work of students, and for returning such evaluations to students with responsible promptness.

6) The teacher is expected to make daily preparations for duties, preparations to include attendance at staff meetings and other such professional work as assigned by the principal, superintendent, or board of directors.

7) The teacher is expected to give careful attention to the maintenance of a healthful atmosphere in the classroom, reporting to the principal or his/her designee any shortcomings in lighting, heating, or ventilating.

8) In addition to these specific requirements, the responsibilities of the teacher shall be performed as required in Chapter 44, State Board of Education Code of Rules and Regulations.

 

Legal Reference:

WAC 180-44-010 Responsibilities related to instruction

WAC 180-44-020 Responsibilities related to discipline of students

WAC 180-44-040 Physical environment of classroom

RCW 28A.150.240 Teacher~general provisions

Teacher candidates will complete a well-planned sequence of courses and/or experiences in which they acquire and apply knowledge about:

Washington Standards Now Reflected in NCATE-INTASC Standards

Foundational Knowledge

(A) The state goals and essential academic learning requirements.

(B) The subject matter content for the area(s) they teach, including the essential areas of study for each endorsement area for which the candidate is applying.

(C) The social, historical, and philosophical foundations of education, including an understanding of the moral, social, and political dimensions of classrooms, teaching, and schools.

(D) The impact of the technological and societal changes on schools.

(E) Theories of human development and learning.

(F) Inquiry and research.

(G) School law and educational policy.

(H) Professional ethics.

(I) The responsibilities, structure, and activities of the profession.

(J) Issues related to abuse including the identification of physical, emotional, sexual, and substance abuse, information on the impact of abuse on the behavior and learning abilities of students, discussion of the responsibilities of a teacher to report abuse or provide assistance to students who are the victims of abuse, and methods for teaching students about abuse of all types and their prevention.

(K) The standards, criteria and other requirements for obtaining the professional certificate.

 

Effective teaching

(L) Research and experience-based principles of effective practice for encouraging the intellectual, social, and personal development of students.

(M) Different student approaches to learning for creating instructional opportunities adapted to learners from diverse cultural or linguistic backgrounds.

(N) Areas of exceptionality and learning --- including, but not limited to, learning disabilities, visual and perceptual difficulties, and special physical and mental challenges.

(O) Effective instructional strategies for students at all levels of academic abilities and talents.

(P) Instructional strategies for developing reading, writing, and critical thinking, and problem solving skills.

(Q) The prevention and diagnosis of reading difficulties and research-based intervention strategies.

(R) Classroom management and discipline, including:

(i) Individual and group motivation for encouraging positive social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self-motivation.

(ii) Effective verbal, nonverbal, and media communication for fostering active inquiry, collaboration, and supportive interactions in the classroom.

(S) Planning and management of instruction based on knowledge of the content area, the community, and curriculum goals.

(T) Formal and informal assessment strategies for evaluating and ensuring the continuous intellectual, social, and physical development of the learner.

(U) Collaboration with school colleagues, parents, and agencies in the larger community for supporting students' learning and well-being.

(V) Effective interactions with parents to support students' learning and well-being.

Professional development

(W) The opportunity for candidates to reflect on their teaching and its effects on student growth and learning.

(X) Educational technology including the use of computer and other technologies in instruction, assessment and professional productivity.

(Y) Strategies for effective participation in group decision-making.

 

**Standards unique to Washington are in bold

CODE OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT for EDUCATION PRACTITIONERS Teachers, Educational Staff Associates, Administrators Chapter 180-87 WAC WASHINGTON STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION ADMINISTRATIVE RULES

WAC 180-87-005 PURPOSE.

The sole purpose of this chapter is to set forth policies and procedures related to reprimand, suspension, and revocation actions respecting certification of education practitioners in the state of Washington for acts of unprofessional conduct. It is recognized that grounds for the discharge, nonrenewal of contracts, or other adverse change in contract status affecting the employment contracts of education practitioners are broader than stated herein. The grounds set forth as unprofessional conduct in this chapter shall not limit discharge, nonrenewal of contracts, or other employment action by employers of education practitioners.

WAC 180-87-010 PUBLIC POLICY GOALS OF CHAPTER.

The public policy goals of this chapter are as follows:

1) To protect the health, safety, and general welfare of students within the state of Washington.

2) To assure the citizens of the state of Washington that education practitioners are accountable for acts of unprofessional conduct.

3) To define and provide notice to education practitioners within the state of Washington of the acts of unprofessional conduct for which they are accountable pursuant to the provisions of chapter 180-86 WAC.

 

PROFESSIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY

WAC 180-87-015 ACCOUNTABILITY FOR ACTS OF UNPROFESSIONAL CONDUCT. Any educational practitioner who commits an act of unprofessional conduct proscribed within this chapter may be held accountable for such conduct pursuant to the provisions of chapter 180-86 WAC.

ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

WAC 180-87-020 APPLICABILITY OF CHAPTER TO PRIVATE CONDUCT.

As a general rule, the provisions of this chapter shall not be applicable to the private conduct of an education practitioner except where the education practitioner's role as a private person is not clearly distinguishable from the role as an education practitioner and the fulfillment of professional obligations.

WAC 180-87-025 EXCLUSIVITY OF CHAPTER.

No act, for the purpose of this chapter, shall be defined as an act of unprofessional conduct unless it is included in this chapter.

WAC 180-87-030 PROSPECTIVE APPLICATION OF CHAPTER AND AMENDMENTS.

The provisions of this chapter shall take effect ninety calendar days after adoption and shall apply prospectively to acts of unprofessional conduct committed after such effective date. Unless provided to the contrary, any revision shall take effect six months after adoption and shall apply prospectively from such effective date.

WAC 180-87-035 EDUCATION PRACTITIONER-DEFINITION. As used in this chapter, the term "education practitioner" means any certificate holder licensed under rules of the state board of education to serve as a certifified employee.

WAC 180-87-040 STUDENT-DEFINITION.

As used in this chapter, the term "student" means the following:

1) Any student who is under the supervision, direction, or control of the education practitioner.

2) Any student enrolled in any school or school district served by the education practitioner.

3) Any student enrolled in any school or school district while attending a school related activity at which

the education practitioner is performing professional duties.

4) Any former student who is under eighteen years of age and who has been under supervision, direction,

or control of the education practitioner. Former student, for the purpose of this section, includes but is

not limited to drop outs, graduates, and students who transfer to other districts or schools.

WAC 180-87-045 COLLEAGUE-DEFINITION. As used in this chapter, the term "colleague" means any person with whom the education practitioner has established a professional relationship and includes fellow workers and employees regardless of their status as education practitioners.

ACTS OF UNPROFESSIONAL CONDUCT

WAC 180-87-050 MISREPRESENTATION OR FALSIFICATION IN THE COURSE OF PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE.

Any falsification or deliberate misrepresentation, including omission, of a material fact by an education practitioner concerning any of the following is an act of unprofessional conduct:

1) Statement of professional qualifications.

2) Application or recommendation for professional employment, promotion, certification, or an

endorsement.

3) Application or recommendation for college or university admission, scholarship, grant, academic

award, or similar benefit.

4) Representation of completion of inservice or continuing education credit hours.

5) Evaluations or grading of students and or personnel.

6) Financial or program compliance reports submitted to state, federal, or other governmental agencies.

7) Information submitted in the course of an official inquiry by the superintendent of public instruction

related to the following:

a) Good moral character or personal fitness.

b) Acts of unprofessional conduct.

8) Information submitted in the course of an investigation by a law enforcement agency or by child

protective services regarding school related criminal activity.

WAC 180-87-055 ALCOHOL OR CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE ABUSE.

Unprofessional conduct includes:

1) Being under the influence of alcohol or of a controlled substance, as defined in chapter 69.50 RCW,

on school premises or at a school-sponsored activity involving students, following:

a) Notification to the education practitioner by his or her employer of concern regarding

alcohol or substance abuse affecting job performance.

b) A recommendation by the employer that the education practitioner seek counseling or

other appropriate and available assistance; and

c) The education practitioner has had a reasonable opportunity to obtain such assistance.

2) The possession, use, or consumption on school premises or at school-sponsored activity of a Schedule 1 controlled substance, as defined by the state board of pharmacy, or a Schedule 2 controlled substance, as defined by the state board of pharmacy, without a prescription authorizing such use.

3) The consumption of an alcoholic beverage on school premises or at a school-sponsored activity involving students if such consumption in contrary to written policy of the school district or school building.

WAC 180-87-060 DISREGARD OR ABANDONMENT OF GENERALLY RECOGNIZED PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS.

Any performance of professional practice in flagrant disregard or clear abandonment of generally recognized professional standards in the course of any of the following professional practices is an act of unprofessional conduct:

1) Assessment, treatment, instruction, or supervision of students.

2) Employment or evaluation of personnel.

3) Management of moneys or property.

WAC 180-87-065 ABANDONMENT OF CONTRACT FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES.

Any permanent abandonment, constituting a substantial violation without good cause, of one of the following written contracts to perform professional services for a private school or a school or an educational service district is an act of unprofessional conduct:

1) An employment contract, excluding any extracurricular or other specific activity within such contract or any supplementary contract.

2) Professional service contract.

WAC 180-87-070 UNAUTHORIZED PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE.

Any act performed without good cause that materially contributes to one of the following unauthorized professional practices is an act of unprofessional practice.

1) The intentional employment of a person to serve as an employee in a position for which certification is required by rules of the state board of education when such person does not possess, at the time of commencement of such responsibility, a valid certificate to hold the position for which such person is employed.

2) The assignment or delegation in a school setting of any responsibility within the scope of the authorized practice of nursing, physical therapy, or occupational therapy to a person not licensed to practice such profession unless such assignment or delegation is otherwise authorized by law, including the rules of the appropriate licensing board.

3) The practice of education by a certificate holder during any period in which such certificate has been suspended.

4) The failure of a certificate holder to abide by the conditions within an agreement, executed pursuant to WAC 180-86-160, to not continue or to accept education employment.

5) The failure of a certificate holder to comply with any condition, limitation, or other order or decision entered pursuant to chapter 180-86 WAC.

6) PROVIDED, That for the purpose of this section, good cause includes, but is not limited to, exigent circumstances where immediate action is necessary to protect the health, safety, or general welfare of a student, colleague, or other affected person.

WAC 180-87-080 SEXUAL MISCONDUCT WITH STUDENTS.

Unprofessional conduct includes the commission by an education practitioner of any sexually exploitive act with or to a student including, but not limited to, the following:

1) Any sexual advance, verbal or physical;

2) Sexual intercourse as defined in RCW 9A.88.010;

3) Indecent exposure as defined in RCW 9A.88.010;

4) Sexual contact, i.e., the intentional touching of the sexual or other intimate parts of a student except to the extent necessary and appropriate to attend to the hygienic or health needs of the student;

5) PROVIDED, That the provisions of this section shall not apply if at the time of the sexual conduct the participants are married to each other.

WAC 180-87-085 FURNISHING ALCOHOL OR CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE TO STUDENTS.

Unprofessional conduct includes the illegal furnishing of alcohol or a controlled substance, as defined in chapter 69.50 RCW, to any student by an education practitioner.

 

WAC 180-87-090 IMPROPER REMUNERATIVE CONDUCT.

Any deliberate act in the course of professional practice which requires or pressures students to purchase equipment, supplies, or services from the education practitioner in a private remunerative capacity is an act of unprofessional conduct.

WAC 180-87-093 FAILURE TO ASSURE THE TRANSFER OF STUDENT RECORD INFORMATION OR STUDENT RECORDS.

The failure of a principal or other certified chief administrator of a public school building to make a good faith effort to assure compliance with RCW 28A.225.330 by establishing, distributing, and monitoring compliance with written procedures that are reasonably designed to implement the statute shall constitute an act of unprofessional conduct.

WAC 180-87-095 FAILURE TO FILE A COMPLAINT.

The intentional or knowing failure of an educational service district superintendent, a district superintendent, or a chief administrator of a private school to file a complaint pursuant to WAC 180-86110 regarding the lack of good moral character or personal fitness of an education practitioner or the commission of an act of unprofessional conduct by an education practitioner is an act of unprofessional conduct.

OFFICE OF PROFESSIONAL PRACTICES

 

The Office of Professional Practices, a division under the auspices of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, is charged with enforcement, including discipline of educational practitioners for violation of the Professional Code of Conduct. The office receives, investigates, and makes legal findings regarding complaints. A nine member professional advisory committee reviews appeals from proposed disciplinary actions. Educators who violate the code may be reprimanded or their license to practice may be suspended or revoked.

The Office of Professional Practices also reviews charges that an applicant for or the holder of professional certification lacks good moral character or personal fitness. These standards are set for~ in WAC 180-86-013 and address commission of criminal acts and other behavior which endanger children. Commission of criminal acts may not be directly related to professional conduct but they do reflect upon the trustworthiness of serving as a professional educator.

Complaints or requests for additional information may be addressed to:

 

Office of Professional Practices
DR. TERRY BERGESON SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION
OLD CAPITAL BUILDING,
PO BOX 47200 OLYMPIA WA 98504-7200

Child Abuse And Neglect Reporting Responsibilities

Child abuse and neglect, a problem of growing concern in the State of Washington, as well as throughout the country, is a violation of children's human rights and an obstacle to their education and development. Educators have a special role in combating child abuse. Teachers and school staff have the opportunity to observe children over a period of time. In addition, the knowledge and training educators possess allow for skilled observation of a child's behavior and physical condition. Since abused and neglected children are found in almost any school in the state, educators are in a unique position to identify and observe these children who need help and protection.

Beyond violating children's rights, the consequences of child abuse and neglect may remain with a child throughout his lifetime. The violence a child experiences may serve as a model for his own adult life. A child victim of today may become the child abuser of tomorrow. Early detection of child abuse and neglect is crucial in breaking this cycle of violence and preventing further physical and emotional damage to the child.

School personnel (including teachers, counselors, administrators, school nurses and child care personnel) are required by Washington State Law to report suspected incidents of abuse and neglect (RCW 26.44.030 (1)). In doing so they have civil immunity under the law for good faith reporting. Failure to report can result in a gross misdemeanor charge.

RCW 26.44.030 (1)

(I)(a) "When any .. professional school personnel, . has reasonable cause to believe that a child has suffered abuse or neglect, he or she shall report such incident, or cause a report to be made, to the proper law enforcement agency or to the department as provided in RCW 26.44.040. (d) The report must be made at the first opportunity, but in no case longer than forty-eight hours after there is reasonable cause to believe that the child has suffered abuse or neglect. The report must include the identity of the accused if known. "