Department of Research, Assessment & Accountability

Professional Ethics - Testing

Standardized testing has become a basic component of accountability for students, teachers, administrators, schools and school systems in Georgia and other states. Communities rely on their schools' standardized test scores to determine the success of their schools and to compare them to other communities. Test scores also have a major impact on the economic future of communities. New industries use test scores as a major factor in selecting locations for new facilities. As a result of national and state accountability ratings, standardized testing has become important to all states. When tests are properly administered, scored, and interpreted with a high degree of professionalism, all of the aforementioned stakeholders can be guided to make reliable and appropriate decisions.

A good testing program provides the following benefits:
•	Students, based on their individual test scores, will know which skills and knowledge they have mastered and how they compare to other students.
•	Parents can evaluate whether their children are obtaining the skills and knowledge they need to be successful during and after their school experiences.
•	Teachers can determine if students have mastered the skills and knowledge needed to advance to the next level and if not which skills and knowledge are in need of improvement.
•	Community members can compare local student performance with performances of students in other locations. The community has a measuring stick to determine if schools are making improvements from year to year.

The Professional Standards Commission adopted an updated CODE OF ETHICS FOR EDUCATORS effective 2009. The Code of Ethics for Educators defines the professional behavior of educators in Georgia and serves as the guide to ethical conduct.

While the entire Code of Ethics for Educators is critical, the following standard addresses testing specifically:

Standard 11: Testing - An educator shall administer state-mandated assessments fairly and ethically.

Unethical conduct includes but is not limited to:
1.	committing any act that breaches Test Security; and
2.	compromising the integrity of the assessment.

The following portion of the Code of Ethics for Educators addresses reporting requirements and disciplinary actions that may apply to the assessment and accountability process for the testing program:

Reporting: Educators are required to report a breach of one or more of the Standards in the Code of Ethics for Educators as soon as possible but no later than ninety (90) days from the date the educator became aware of an alleged breach unless the law or local procedures require reporting sooner. Educators should be aware of legal requirements and local policies and procedures for reporting unethical conduct. Complaints filed with the Professional Standards Commission must be in writing and must be signed by the complainant (parent, educator, personnel director, superintendent, etc.). The Commission notifies local and state officials of all disciplinary actions. In addition, suspensions and revocations are reported to national officials, including the NASDTEC Clearinghouse.

Disciplinary Action: The Professional Standards Commission is authorized to suspend, revoke, or deny certificates, to issue a reprimand or warning, or to monitor the educator’s conduct and performance after an investigation is held and notice and opportunity for a hearing are provided to the certificate holder. Any of the following grounds shall be considered cause for disciplinary action against the holder of a certificate:

1.	unethical conduct as outlined in The Code of Ethics for Educators, Standards 1-11;
2.	disciplinary action against a certificate in another state on grounds consistent with those specified in the Code of Ethics for Educators;
3.	order from a court or a request from DHR that the certificate should be suspended or denied for non-payment of child support;
4.	notification from the GHEAC that the educator is in default and not in satisfactory repayment status on a student loan;
5.	suspension or revocation of any professional license or certificate;
6.	violation of any other laws and rules applicable to the profession; and
7.	any other good and sufficient cause that renders an educator unfit for employment as an educator.

An individual whose certificate has been revoked, denied, or suspended may not serve as a volunteer or be employed as an educator, paraprofessional, aide, substitute teacher or in any other position during the period of his or her revocation, suspension or denial for a violation of The Code of Ethics. The superintendent and the superintendent’s designee for certification shall be responsible for assuring that an individual whose certificate has been revoked, denied, or suspended is not employed or serving in any capacity in their district. Both the superintendent and the superintendent’s designee must hold GaPSC certification.

The Code of Ethics for Educators effective 2009 can be found at this link: http://www.gapsc.com/Rules/Current/Ethics/505-6-.01.pdf