PDS Policies

Program Policies

Below are the policies, guidelines, and expectations for the various teacher certification programs that students in the PDS are expected to follow. A copy of these policies is provided to students prior to entering the PDS and a signed copy is kept on file in the Education Services Office.  Students are encouraged to download a copy of these policies for their records.

Texas Code of Ethics

TEXAS ADMINISTRATIVE CODE

TITLE 19 EDUCATION

PART 7 STATE BOARD FOR EDUCATOR CERTIFICATION

CHAPTER 247 EDUCATORS' CODE OF ETHICS

RULE §247.2 Code of Ethics and Standard Practices for Texas Educators

(a) Statement of Purpose. The Texas educator shall comply with standard practices and ethical conduct toward students, professional colleagues, school officials, parents, and members of the community and shall safeguard academic freedom. The Texas educator, in maintaining the dignity of the profession, shall respect and obey the law, demonstrate personal integrity, and exemplify honesty. The Texas educator, in exemplifying ethical relations with colleagues, shall extend just and equitable treatment to all members of the profession. The Texas educator, in accepting a position of public trust, shall measure success by the progress of each student toward realization of his or her potential as an effective citizen. The Texas educator, in fulfilling responsibilities in the community, shall cooperate with parents and others to improve the public schools of the community.

Enforceable Standards.

1) Professional Ethical Conduct, Practices and Performance.

A) Standard 1.1. The educator shall not intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly engage in deceptive practices regarding official policies of the school district, educational institution, educator preparation program, the Texas Education Agency, or the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) and its certification process.

B) Standard 1.2. The educator shall not knowingly misappropriate, divert, or use monies, personnel, property, or equipment committed to his or her charge for personal gain or advantage.

C) Standard 1.3. The educator shall not submit fraudulent requests for reimbursement, expenses, or pay.

D) Standard 1.4. The educator shall not use institutional or professional privileges for personal or partisan advantage.

E) Standard 1.5. The educator shall neither accept nor offer gratuities, gifts, or favors that impair professional judgment or to obtain special advantage. This standard shall not restrict the acceptance of gifts or tokens offered and accepted openly from students, parents of students, or other persons or organizations in recognition or appreciation of service.

F) Standard 1.6. The educator shall not falsify records, or direct or coerce others to do so.

G) Standard 1.7. The educator shall comply with state regulations, written local school board policies, and other state and federal laws.

H) Standard 1.8. The educator shall apply for, accept, offer, or assign a position or a responsibility on the basis of professional qualifications.

I) Standard 1.9. The educator shall not make threats of violence against school district employees, school board members, students, or parents of students.

J) Standard 1.10. The educator shall be of good moral character and be worthy to instruct or supervise the youth of this state.

K) Standard 1.11. The educator shall not intentionally or knowingly misrepresent his or her employment history, criminal history, and/or disciplinary record when applying for subsequent employment.

L) Standard 1.12. The educator shall refrain from the illegal use or distribution of controlled substances and/or abuse of prescription drugs and toxic inhalants.

M) Standard 1.13. The educator shall not consume alcoholic beverages on school property or during school activities when students are present.

2) Ethical Conduct Toward Professional Colleagues.

A) Standard 2.1. The educator shall not reveal confidential health or personnel information concerning colleagues unless disclosure serves lawful professional purposes or is required by law.

B) Standard 2.2. The educator shall not harm others by knowingly making false statements about a colleague or the school system.

C) Standard 2.3. The educator shall adhere to written local school board policies and state and federal laws regarding the hiring, evaluation, and dismissal of personnel.

D) Standard 2.4. The educator shall not interfere with a colleague's exercise of political, professional, or citizenship rights and responsibilities.

E) Standard 2.5. The educator shall not discriminate against or coerce a colleague on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, gender, disability, family status, or sexual orientation.

F) Standard 2.6. The educator shall not use coercive means or promise of special treatment in order to influence professional decisions or colleagues.

G) Standard 2.7. The educator shall not retaliate against any individual who has filed a complaint with the SBEC or who provides information for a disciplinary investigation or proceeding under this chapter.

3) Ethical Conduct Toward Students.

A) Standard 3.1. The educator shall not reveal confidential information concerning students unless disclosure serves lawful professional purposes or is required by law.

B) Standard 3.2. The educator shall not intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly treat a student or minor in a manner that adversely affects or endangers the learning, physical health, mental health, or safety of the student or minor.

C) Standard 3.3. The educator shall not intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly misrepresent facts regarding a student.

D) Standard 3.4. The educator shall not exclude a student from participation in a program, deny benefits to a student, or grant an advantage to a student on the basis of race, color, gender, disability, national origin, religion, family status, or sexual orientation.

E) Standard 3.5. The educator shall not intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly engage in physical mistreatment, neglect, or abuse of a student or minor.

F) Standard 3.6. The educator shall not solicit or engage in sexual conduct or a romantic relationship with a student or minor.

G) Standard 3.7. The educator shall not furnish alcohol or illegal/unauthorized drugs to any person under 21 years of age unless the educator is a parent or guardian of that child or knowingly allow any person under 21 years of age unless the educator is a parent or guardian of that child to consume alcohol or illegal/unauthorized drugs in the presence of the educator.

H) Standard 3.8. The educator shall maintain appropriate professional educator-student relationships and boundaries based on a reasonably prudent educator standard.

I) Standard 3.9. The educator shall refrain from inappropriate communication with a student or minor, including, but not limited to, electronic communication such as cell phone, text messaging, email, instant messaging, blogging, or other social network communication. Factors that may be considered in assessing whether the communication is inappropriate include, but are not limited to:

i) the nature, purpose, timing, and amount of the communication;

ii) the subject matter of the communication;

iii) whether the communication was made openly or the educator attempted to conceal the communication;

iv) whether the communication could be reasonably interpreted as soliciting sexual contact or a romantic relationship;

v) whether the communication was sexually explicit; and

vi) whether the communication involved discussion(s) of the physical or sexual attractiveness or the sexual history, activities, preferences, or fantasies of either the educator or the student.*

Source Note: The provisions of this §247.2 adopted to be effective March 1, 1998, 23 TexReg 1022; amended to be effective August 22, 2002, 27 TexReg 7530; amended to be effective December 26, 2010, 35 TexReg 11242

Electronic Media Policy

Electronic media includes all forms of social media, such as text messaging, instant messaging, electronic mail (e-mail), Web logs (blogs), electronic forums (chat rooms), video-sharing Web sites, editorial comments posted on the Internet, and social network sites. Electronic media also includes all forms of telecommunication, such as landlines, cell phones, and Web-based applications.

UT teacher preparation students must read and understand school district electronic media policy. UT teacher preparation students must receive written permission from their cooperating teachers before any exchange of electronic media occurs with students. If permission is granted, electronic media may be used to communicate with students currently enrolled in school about matters within the scope of the UT teacher preparation student intern/student teacher responsibilities. UT teacher preparation students’ use of electronic media to communicate with currently enrolled students for social reasons is prohibited.

If a UT teacher preparation student chooses to use a social network site or similar media for personal purposes, the UT teacher preparation student is responsible for the content and is responsible for maintaining privacy settings appropriate to the content.

Per Texas Administrative Code (Title 19, Part 7, Chapter 247, Rule 247.2), UT teacher preparation students shall comply with the Code of Ethics and Standard Practices for Texas Educators. UT teacher preparations students shall also comply with standards of conduct set out in this policy and with any other policies, regulations, and guidelines that impose duties, requirements, or standards attendant to their status as UT teacher preparation interns/student teachers. Violation of any policies, regulations, or guidelines may result in disciplinary action, including termination from the teacher certification preparation program.

Dress Code Policy

Employees shall act as role models by exemplifying the highest standard of professional appearance for the educational purposes of teaching community values and proper grooming and hygiene.

Staff: General Guidelines

The dress and grooming of District employees shall be clean, neat, in a manner appropriate for their assignments, and in accordance with the following standards.  In general, anything that may cause students to be distracted should not be worn.  Always err on the more conservative side.

  1. Dresses and all outer garments shall fit properly and be of an acceptable length.
  2. Halters, tank tops, see-through garments, or clothing with revealing/provocative necklines, bare backs, bare midriff, or spaghetti straps shall not be permitted. In addition, clothing with symbols, phrases, or slogans advertising tobacco, alcohol products, or any controlled substances are unacceptable.
  3. If shirttails are made to be worn tucked in, they must be tucked in. If shirttails are worn in, and pants are designed to be worn with a belt, a belt or suspenders shall be worn.
  4. No hats, caps or other head coverings shall be worn inside the building.
  5. Hair shall be clean, neatly trimmed and well-groomed.
  6. Beards and mustaches shall be allowed if they are neatly trimmed.
  7. Footwear shall exclude flip flops and slippers.
  8. Clothing that reveals undergarments shall not be worn.
  9. Hemlines for skirts and dresses should be long enough not to be distracting.
  10. Shorts, leggings, warm-ups, spandex or similar tight pants, exercise clothes, or any garment that may appear to be an undergarment are unacceptable.
  11. Jeans may be worn on days designated by the principal or supervisor, designated spirit days, and teacher in-service days.
  12. All administrative staff are expected to dress in a professional manner. Male administrative staff are encouraged to wear shirts and ties.
  13. Male instructional staff shall be expected to wear slacks and collared shirts or other appropriate professional attire. Ties are encouraged and may be required by the principal. Acceptable alternatives for shirt and tie are shirt and pullover sweater or turtleneck sweater and sport coat.
  14. Jewelry shall not be worn in a visible pierced area other than the ear.

Exceptions to Guidelines

  1. Physical education staff may choose to wear appropriate attire, approved by the administration, during the physical education instructional period.
  2. Instructors in shop courses may wear aprons, smocks, or overalls during the instructional period.
  3. Auxiliary employees in maintenance, custodial, transportation, food service, and positions requiring uniforms are exempted from the general guidelines, but shall comply with dress and grooming guidelines specified by their supervisors in the handbooks for those positions.
  4. Exceptions to these general guidelines are to be made as necessary to allow staff to observe religious customs or beliefs and as necessary to accommodate medical needs.

Substitute Teaching Policy

Interns are generally not permitted to substitute teach. While it may be perceived as a valuable teaching opportunity, we have to consider the risk of the experience not going well for students who have limited amount of mentor experiences. Under special circumstances, interns may be permitted to substitute with prior approval by the Director of Education Services.

Student teachers may be permitted to substitute for their cooperating teachers for a few days. This usually occurs after the mid-term point. Permission to substitute for any other classroom may be granted after all of the requirements of student teaching have been met. Substitute policies vary by district.

For individual school district policies, visit the School District Information page.

Last updated on January 30, 2013