Ga. Panel Tightens Language in Ethics Code for Educators

By Joanna Richardson

A Georgia panel is putting the finishing touches this fall on a new code of ethics for educators, after addressing complaints from statewide education groups that the document leaves too much room for interpretation.

Drafted by the Professional Practices Commission--an independent panel responsible under a 10-year-old state law for enforcing a behavioral code for certified educators--the document includes professional principles and standards of conduct covering everything from sexual harassment to fraud.

Educators who violate the mandates in the code could have their certification revoked by the state, explained James J. Carter, the head of the 17-member commission. All the members are practicing educators who were nominated by statewide professional groups and appointed by the...