Georgia Professional Standards Commission. Presentation to GASPA Spring 2013

Transcription

1 Georgia Professional Standards Commission Presentation to GASPA Spring 2013

2 Ethics Task Force Created in September, 2012 Comprised of 20 members Chaired by Dr. Sandy Addis, Pioneer RESA 2

3 The Task Force Mission To review status of educator ethics violations in Georgia To consider current practices for ethics training and for maintaining ethics awareness of Georgia Educators To recommend steps for improving ethics understanding and ethical behaviors of Georgia Educators

4 Four System Leaders Mr. Don Cooper, Chief Human Resource Officer, Muscogee County School System Ms. Sequita Freeman, Personnel Director, Troup County School System Dr. Curtis Jones, Superintendent, Griffin-Spalding County School System Dr. Charles Ledbetter, Superintendent, Dublin City School System

5 Three School Leaders Dr. Maria Bradley, Principal, North Murray County High School, Murray County School System Dr. Derald Jones, Principal, Lowndes Middle School, Lowndes County School System Dr. Trina Muse, Principal, Kinchafonee Primary School, Lee County School System

6 Three Teachers Ms. Barbara Barfield, Teacher, Darlington School Mr. Brandon Mitchell, Teacher, Winder-Barrow High School, Barrow County School System Ms. Bethany Townsend, Teacher, Sixes Elementary School, Cherokee County School System

7 Two University Leaders & Teacher Educators Dr. Mary Angela Coleman, Assistant Vice-Chancellor, University System of Georgia Dr. Candace Southall, Professor, Piedmont College, Athens

8 Six Agency Leaders Dr. Sandy Addis, Director, Pioneer RESA Mr. Tony Eitel, Director of Assessment Administration, Georgia Department of Education Dr. Melissa Fincher, Associate Superintendent, Georgia Department of Education Ms. Tabitha Press, Youth Coordinator of Charter Schools, Georgia Department of Education Ms. Leigh Ann Putman, Director, Metro RESA Dr. Paul Shaw, Director of Ethics, Georgia Professional Standards Commission

9 Two Legislators Representative Howard Maxwell, Georgia General Assembly Senator Freddie Sims, Georgia General Assembly

10 The Task Force Process Face-to-face meetings Electronic communications Reviewed Code of Ethics, data, related documents Reviewed Ethics training practices and products Developed Conclusions & Recommendations

11 Results of Task Force Will all superintendents a general Code of Ethics power point to use at the beginning of the school year Will post the power point, a Code of Ethics test, and other resources on our website Want to be proactive and less reactive 11

12 Sample Questions on Ethics Test Click TRUE if an Ethics Violation 12

13 Question 4: True or False The Educator consumed alcohol and became inebriated at a private party at a local restaurant. No students were present but several faculty members were present at the party. Answer: False

14 Question 5: True or False The Educator had sexual intercourse with a consenting 18-year old a week after her June graduation from high school. Answer: True

15 Question 18: True or False Two educators, acting as parent chaperones, attended a play with the high school drama class students at the Fox Theater. During the meal with the students at a nearby restaurant, the Educators had two glasses of wine with their meals. Answer: True

16 Question 19: True or False The Educator was arrested and convicted of DUI (driving under the influence) while attending a Saturday afternoon University of Georgia football game. Answer: False

17 Question 22: True or False The Educator befriended a student and served as his unofficial mentor. As their relationship progressed, they discussed such topics in their personal lives such as home environment, use of drugs and alcohol, and sexual relationships. There was no physical touching involvedjust deep conversations. Answer: True

18 Question 25: True or False The Educator suspected child abuse by parents of a student in her class because he continuously had bruises on his arms. She reported it to DFACS. The investigation revealed no evidence and the parents filed a complaint with PSC for false accusations. Answer: False

19 Presentations available by PSC staff Code of Ethics for Georgia Educators How to Conduct an Investigation Fraud Prevention Indicators of Child Abuse Testing 19

20 Sanctions-May, 2012-May 2013 Legal compliance-41 Conduct with Students-57 Alcohol and Drugs-24 Honesty-81 Public Funds and Property-25 Remunerative Conduct-1 Confidential Information-1 20

21 Sanctions Abandonment of Contract-4 Required Reports-26 Professional Conduct-29 Testing-145 Total

22 Number of Certified Educators based on 2011 System Report Card, Georgia Department of Education Regional Ethics Case Rates RESA 2011 Cases 2011 # Certified Educators per Case 2012 Cases 2012 # Certified Educators per Case CSRA Chatt-Flint Coastal Plains First District Griffin Heart of Georgia Metro Middle Georgia North Georgia Northeast Georgia Northwest Georgia Oconee Okefenokee Pioneer Southwest Georgia West Georgia State Totals/Average 974 / /

23 Sexual Relationship with O. C.G. A Students Person who has supervisory or disciplinary authority over a student who engages in sexual contact with students New thing in Georgia 23

24 Sexual Relationship with Student 24

25 Jail time Age 16-not less than one year nor more than 25 years in jail or a fine not to exceed $100,000 or both Under the age of 16-not less than 25 years nor more than 50 years in jail 25

26 (a) The PSC shall establish a state mandated process for students to follow in reporting instances of alleged inappropriate behavior by a teacher, administrator or any other school employee Shall include these processes in the student handbook and in employee handbook Any teacher, counselor, or administrator receiving a report or sexual misconduct shall submit a written report in 24 hours 26

27 Standard #9 - Required Reports An educator shall file reports of a breach of one or more of the standards in the Code of Ethics for Educators, child abuse, or any other required report.

28 Important Required Reports Child Abuse-24 hours to file a report with DFACS Student having weapon on school grounds or at school function Student involved with controlled substances Any violation of the Code of Ethics 28

29 Joe Paterno 29

30 Required Reports A player went to her soccer coach and asked if she could talk with her in strict confidence The coach agreed Student told her about being sexually abused at home Coach suggested they go to the counselor Refused-said she wasn t ready After several weeks of encouragement from the coach, she went to the counselor Counselor immediately reported it to law enforcement 30

31 Standard 5-Public Funds and Property Fraud-any intentional or deliberate act to deprive another of property or money by guile, deception, or other unfair means 5% of revenue will be lost annually to occupational fraud Rule- 10% will never steal from you 10% will rob you at every opportunity 80% will steal if given the right opportunity and circumstances 31

32 Homer Simpson Principle Schools are at fault Code of the Schoolyard Don t tattle Never say anything unless you are sure everyone feels that way Don t get involved What is the difference between tattling and reporting 32

33 Statistics 74% of employees have observed misconduct 50% reported they have observed serious misconduct 40% of fraud cases were initially detected by tips 33

34 Do Schools really have a problem? Former DeKalb Superintendent (2010 indictment) Former GaDOE State Superintendent (2006 indictment) Booster Clubs and PTAs (Cherokee, Walton, Gwinnett ) Former Walton County Assistant Superintendent (2012) Coaches, Principals, Bookkeepers, Cafeteria Managers 34

35 Tips Do not ignore red flags Make sure internal controls are in place Provide a hotline for reporting Educate employees Don t place too much trust in an employee to the exclusion of internal controls and oversight 35

36 Heads Up 36

37 TKEs Teacher Keys Effectiveness System Needs Development and Ineffective ratings Must be reported to PSC by June 30 Dishonesty on the Rise Pressure to complete evaluations Pressure for teachers to demonstrate student learning and achievement 37

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39 Technology Remind educators that school issued computers should be used for school business only Educators should not give their password to students or allow them to use school issued teacher computer 39

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