Standard 2 (2): The unit must ensure each program provides effective instruction on the teacher Code of Ethics.

Teacher candidates in the UED are expected to follow the Code of Ethics for Minnesota Teachers—as listed under Minnesota administrative rules from the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board—in the best interests of their future students, our UED learning community, the school community, the university community and the profession. Each teacher candidate assumes a number of obligations upon admission to the UED and their preparation program, including adhering to the UED Standards of Professional Conduct which explicitly names the Code of Ethics for Minnesota Teachers that they must agree to follow. The standards of professional conduct that teacher candidates need to follow include: providing non-discriminatory services, protecting students and confidential information, promoting a conducive learning atmosphere, maintaining appropriate boundaries, delegating authority only to licensed personnel, subject matter integrity, not falsifying records or providing false or malicious statements, and having the required credentials for a teaching license in Minnesota.

Where Candidates are Taught about the Code of Ethics

The UED teacher candidates are introduced to the Code of Ethics for Minnesota Teachers and rated by Professional Educators at regular intervals across their program. First, teacher candidates are introduced to the Code of Ethics for Minnesota Teachers very early into the program while enrolled in the Introduction to Urban Education and Reflective Teaching (EDU 200) course or in Principles of Urban Education (EDU 600) as one of the course requirements for UED program admission. The teacher Code of Ethics is also discussed in Urban Teaching Practicum & Seminar (EDU 311) course and Advanced Urban Teaching Practicum and Seminar (EDU 450) course. Overall, UED teacher candidates are expected to demonstrate the professional conduct identified on the instrument in coursework and in the field.

At the end of their licensure programs during one of the student teaching seminars conducted by the Director of Field Experiences, teacher candidates also receive direct instruction in the Code of Ethics for Minnesota teachers. In addition to reviewing the many items in it, the Director makes it clear that they have to follow the Code of Ethics during their placement and as a professional educator. They are made aware that each teacher licensed by the Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board, is expected to abide by this code upon entering the teaching profession. The seminar focuses on examples of situations that teacher candidates are likely to find themselves in and give them the opportunity to reflect and discuss what they may do and why, if put in that situation.

How Candidates Demonstrate Understanding of the Code of Ethics and How UED Assesses Understanding to Evidence Effective Instruction about the Code

All teacher candidates receive an Admission Checklist document for getting fully admitted into the Urban Teacher Program to be aware of the expectations throughout their course of study at UED. One of the admission requirements is that candidates are required to read and confirm they understand the compendium of documents that comprise the UED Standards of Professional Conduct including the Code of Ethics in order to be fully admitted into the Urban Teacher Program. After reading these documents listed and located in section II of the UED Student Handbook, teacher candidates complete, sign, and submit an online form in Taskstream to confirm they read and accepted the terms and policies stated in the document, and affirm their commitment to demonstrating professional conduct and other programmatic and certification requirements. By signing the form, the teacher candidate acknowledges that s/he has read, understood and agreed to be guided and assessed by these professional conduct standards, and in particular, the Code of Ethics. Additionally, by signing, the student confirms that they understand that violating the Code of Ethics for Minnesota teachers while taking coursework or during their field experiences may result in suspension, removal from the teacher preparation program, or not being recommended for licensure.

During the Advanced Urban Teaching Practicum & Seminar (EDU 450) course, teacher candidates complete the Code of Ethics for Minnesota Teachers module in Study.com to demonstrate their deeper, applied understanding of the Code of Ethics. To enhance their understanding of the code of ethics for teaching, teacher candidates take an online quiz and this evidence is collected in Taskstream. The quiz is designed to improve the following skills:

• Reading comprehension - ensure that the teacher candidate draws the most important information about the code of ethical conduct in the teaching profession from the related lesson;
• Making connections - use understanding of the concept of the code of ethics for teachers to see how an ethical teacher is more effective than one who does not engage in ethical teaching practices;
• Critical thinking - apply relevant concepts to examine information about treating students equally without regard to ability, race or ethnicity in a different light; and
• Interpreting information - verify that a teacher candidate can read information regarding the right to practice teaching and interpret it correctly.

During student teaching placement, cooperating teachers and university supervisors evaluate each teacher candidates’ demonstration of the Code of Ethics and professional dispositions. Additionally, EDU-prefix course instructor(s) are expected to informally review/assess professional dispositions in courses and provide additional, content- or program-specific information regarding content-specific ethical and professional guidelines.