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PA Bulletin, Doc. No. 23-1180

STATEMENTS OF POLICY

Title 22—EDUCATION

PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS AND
PRACTICES COMMISSION

[22 PA. CODE CH. 238]

Pennsylvania Model Code of Ethics for Educators—Statement of Policy

[53 Pa.B. 5512]
[Saturday, September 2, 2023]

Statutory Authority

 This statement of policy is authorized by section 5(a)(12.2) of the Educator Discipline Act (act) (24 P.S. § 2070.5(a)(12.2)).

Purpose and Background

 The Professional Standards and Practices Commission (PSPC) by this notice amends Chapter 238 to read as set forth in Annex A. This statement of policy adopts the Model Code of Ethics for Educators (MCEE) published by the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC) as the Pennsylvania Model Code of Ethics for Educators. This amendment is intended to ensure that this statement of policy reflects recent changes to the MCEE.

 The PSPC is committed to providing leadership for improving the quality of education in this Commonwealth by establishing high standards for preparation, certification, practice and ethical conduct in the teaching profession.

 Educators are often faced with ''gray areas'' where there is no clear ''right'' or ''wrong'' path. The MCEE, which was developed as a collaborative effort of NASDTEC and the National Council for the Advancement of Educator Ethics, is a guiding document to prepare educators to select the best course of action in ethical dilemmas in their practice and provides a basis for educator preparation, self-reflection and self-accountability.

 Section 5(a)(12.2) of the act empowers the PSPC ''[t]o develop outreach programs, professional development and courses designed to improve the quality of practice and ethical conduct in the teaching profession.'' By formally adopting the MCEE as the Pennsylvania Model Code of Ethics for Educators and incorporating it into its outreach programs, the Commission intends to provide educators in this Commonwealth with a tool to help guide their decision-making and to promote an intentional emphasis on professional ethics in the teaching profession.

 The MCEE was first released in 2015. In June 2023, NASDTEC published the MCEE 2nd Edition. While most of the content of the MCEE 2nd Edition is contained in the 2015 version, the MCEE 2nd Edition also contains several organizational and editorial changes. The fundamental principles underlying ethical practice in the teaching profession have not changed. This amendment updates the PSPC's statement of policy so that it reflects the revised MCEE. The PSPC adopts the MCEE 2nd Edition because it reflects the PSPC's own view of ethical practice and will keep the Commonwealth's ethical standards consistent with the National standard.

Fiscal Impact and Paperwork Requirements

 This statement of policy has no fiscal impact and imposes no additional reporting or paperwork requirements.

Effective Date

 This statement of policy shall be effective immediately upon publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.

Regulatory Review

 This statement of policy is not subject to the Regulatory Review Act (71 P.S. §§ 745.1—745.14). However, the PSPC adopted this statement of policy after consultation with interested representatives of the affected parties.

Contact Person

 Questions or comments regarding this statement of policy should be directed to Shane Crosby, Executive Director, 333 Market Street, 14th Floor, Harrisburg, PA 17126, (717) 787-6576. This statement of policy is available on the PSPC's web site at www.pspc.education. pa.gov.

SHANE F. CROSBY, 
Executive Director

 (Editor's Note: Title 22 of the Pennsylvania Code is amended by amending § 238.1 to read as set forth in Annex A.)

 Fiscal Note: 6-353. No fiscal impact; recommends adoption.

Annex A

TITLE 22. EDUCATION

PART XIV. PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS AND PRACTICES COMMISSION

CHAPTER 238. PENNSYLVANIA MODEL
CODE OF ETHICS FOR EDUCATORS—
STATEMENT OF POLICY

§ 238.1.  Adoption of the Pennsylvania Model Code of Ethics for Educators—statement of policy.

 The Professional Standards and Practices Commission (PSPC) adopts by reference the Model Code of Ethics for Educators, 2nd Edition, published by the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification, as the Pennsylvania Model Code of Ethics for Educators. A copy of the publication may be obtained from the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification, 1629 K Street NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20006, on the Internet web site of the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification at https://www.nasdtec.net/page/MCEE_Doc, and on the Internet web site of the PSPC at https://www.pspc.education.pa.gov.

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 23-1180. Filed for public inspection September 1, 2023, 9:00 a.m.]


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