Standards of Performance and Conduct for Teachers
Professional Services Division
Teachers are charged with the education of the youth of this State. In order to perform effectively, teachers must demonstrate a belief in the worth and dignity of each human being, recognizing the supreme importance of the pursuit of truth, devotion to excellence, and the nurture of democratic principles.
In recognition of the magnitude of the responsibility inherent in the teaching process and by virtue of the desire of the respect and confidence of their colleagues, students, parents, and the community, teachers are to be guided in their conduct by their commitment to their students and their profession.
PRINCIPLE I
COMMITMENT TO THE STUDENTS
Oklahoma Administrative Code (OAC) 210:20-29-3 – Effective June 25, 1993
The teacher must strive to help each student realize his or her potential as a worthy and effective member of society. The teacher must work to stimulate the spirit of inquiry, the acquisition of knowledge and understanding, and the thoughtful formulation of worthy goals.
In fulfillment of the obligation to the student, the teacher:
- Shall not unreasonably restrain the student from independent action in the pursuit of learning,
- Shall not unreasonably deny the student access to varying points of view,
- Shall not deliberately suppress or distort subject matter relevant to the student's progress,
- Shall make reasonable effort to protect the student from conditions harmful to learning or to health and safety,
- Shall not intentionally expose the student to embarrassment or disparagement,
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Shall not on the basis of race, color, creed, sex, national origin, marital status, political or religious beliefs, family, social, or cultural background, or sexual orientation, unfairly
- Exclude any student from participation in any program;
- Deny benefits to any students; or
- Grant any advantage to any student.
- Shall not use professional relationships with students for private advantage,
- Shall not disclose information about students obtained in the course of professional service, unless disclosure serves a compelling professional purpose and is permitted by law or is required by law.
PRINCIPLE II
COMMITMENT TO THE PROFESSION
Oklahoma Administrative Code (OAC) 210:20-29-4 – Effective June 25, 1993
The teaching profession is vested by the public with a trust and responsibility requiring the highest ideals of professional service.
In order to assure that the quality of the services of the teaching profession meets the expectations of the State and its citizens, the teacher shall exert every effort to raise professional standards, fulfill professional responsibilities with honor and integrity, promote a climate that encourages the exercise of professional judgment, achieve conditions which attract persons worthy of the trust to careers in education, and assist in preventing the practice of the profession by unqualified persons.
In fulfillment of the obligation to the profession, the educator:
- Shall not, in an application for a professional position, deliberately make a false statement or fail to disclose a material fact related to competency and qualifications;
- Shall not misrepresent his/her professional qualifications;
- Shall not assist any entry into the profession of a person known to be unqualified in respect to character, education, or other relevant attribute;
- Shall not knowingly make a false statement concerning the qualifications of a candidate for a professional position;
- Shall not assist an unqualified person in the unauthorized practice of the profession;
- Shall not disclose information about colleagues obtained in the course of professional service unless disclosure serves a compelling professional purpose or is required by law;
- Shall not knowingly make false or malicious statements about a colleague; and
- Shall not accept any gratuity, gift, or favor that might impair or appear to influence professional decisions or actions.
PRINCIPLE III
TITLE 210. STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION CHAPTER 20.
STAFF SUBCHAPTER 29 STANDARDS OF PERFORMANCE AND CONDUCT FOR TEACHERS
210:20-29-5. Principle III [AMENDED] February 2024
(a) A career teacher may be dismissed or not reemployed for:
(1) Willful neglect of duty;
(2) Repeated negligence in performance of duty;
(3) Mental or physical abuse to a child;
(4) Incompetency;
(5) Instructional ineffectiveness;
(6) Unsatisfactory teaching performance;
(7) Any reason involving moral turpitude; or
(8) Abandonment of contract.
(b) Subject to the provisions of the Teacher Due Process Act, a probationary teacher may be dismissed or not reemployed for cause.
(c) A teacher shall be dismissed or not reemployed, unless a presidential or gubernatorial pardon has been issued, if during the term of employment the teacher is convicted in any state or federal court of any felony offense, or any sex offense subject to the Oklahoma Sex Offenders Registration Act or any other state or federal sex offender registration provisions.
(d) A teacher may be dismissed, refused employment, or not reemployed after a finding that such person has engaged in acts that could form the basis of criminal charges sufficient to result in the denial or revocation of a certificate for a reason set forth in subparagraph a of paragraph 6 of 70 O.S. § 3-104.
(e) A teacher may be dismissed, refused employment, or not reemployed after a finding that such person has, either in the presence of a minor or in a manner available to a minor online, engaged in sexual acts, acts that appeal to the prurient interest in sex as found by the average person applying contemporary community standards, or acts that excessively promote sexuality in light of the educational value of the material and in light of the youngest age of any student with access to said material.
STANDARDS OF PERFORMANCE AND CONDUCT FOR TEACHERS
