Ethics in Education Act of 2008

Ethics in Education Act of 2008

Code of Ethics & Professional Conduct

At our school, we are committed to fostering a safe, respectful, and academically enriching environment for every student, employee, and member of our community.

1. Core Values

Our school values:

  • The worth and dignity of every person

  • The pursuit of truth

  • Devotion to excellence

  • Acquisition of knowledge

  • The nurture of democratic citizenship

Essential to these standards are:

  • Freedom to learn and teach

  • Equal opportunity for all

2. Commitment to Students

Our primary concern is the student and the development of each student’s full potential.

All employees are expected to:

  • Pursue professional growth

  • Exercise sound professional judgment

  • Demonstrate integrity in all actions and decisions

3. Standards for Instructional Personnel

Instructional personnel shall:

Student Protection & Learning

  • Make every reasonable effort to protect students from conditions harmful to learning, mental health, physical health, or safety

  • Avoid unreasonably restraining students from independent learning

  • Avoid denying students access to diverse viewpoints

  • Avoid suppressing or distorting relevant subject matter

Respect & Student Rights

  • Never intentionally embarrass or disparage a student

  • Respect and uphold students’ legal rights

  • Maintain confidentiality of personally identifiable student information unless disclosure is legally required or professionally necessary

Non-Discrimination & Harassment

Employees shall not harass or discriminate against any student based on:

  • Race

  • Color

  • Religion

  • Sex

  • Age

  • National or ethnic origin

  • Political beliefs

  • Marital status

  • Disability

  • Sexual orientation

  • Social or family background

Employees are expected to make reasonable efforts to ensure students are protected from harassment and discrimination.

Professional Boundaries

Employees shall not:

  • Exploit relationships with students for personal gain or advantage

4. Professional Conduct Among Employees

Employees are expected to maintain the highest degree of ethical conduct and professionalism.

Employees Shall:

  • Maintain honesty in all professional dealings

  • Respect the political and civil rights of colleagues

  • Avoid harassment, intimidation, discrimination, or hostile behavior in the workplace

  • Refrain from making malicious or intentionally false statements about colleagues

Equal Professional Opportunity

No employee shall deny another colleague professional opportunities or participation in professional organizations based on:

  • Race

  • Religion

  • Sex

  • Age

  • National origin

  • Disability

  • Political beliefs

  • Social or family background

Training Requirement

All instructional personnel, educational support employees, and administrators are required, as a condition of employment, to complete training on these standards of ethical conduct.

Reporting Misconduct

All employees and administrators have an obligation to report misconduct that affects the health, safety, or welfare of a student.

Examples of Misconduct Include:

  • Obscene language

  • Drug or alcohol use

  • Sexual innuendo

  • Prejudice or bigotry

  • Disparaging comments

  • Cheating or testing violations

  • Physical aggression

  • Accepting or offering inappropriate favors

Report Misconduct To:

📧 VUAchristianacademy@gmail.com

Legally sufficient allegations involving Florida-certified educators will be reported to the Office of Professional Practices Services.

Additional reporting policies are available at:
🌐 https://www.varyvodaacademy.com/

Reporting Child Abuse, Abandonment, or Neglect

All employees and agents have an affirmative duty to report any actual or suspected child abuse, abandonment, or neglect.

Report Abuse:

📞 1-800-96-ABUSE
🌐 http://www.dcf.state.fl.us/abuse/report/

Signs of Physical Abuse

A child may:

  • Have unexplained bruises, burns, cuts, or broken bones

  • Seem fearful, withdrawn, or depressed

  • Run away from home

  • Wear clothing intended to hide injuries

Signs of Sexual Abuse

A child may:

  • Have torn or bloody undergarments

  • Experience pain or difficulty sitting/walking

  • Display unusual sexual knowledge or behavior

  • Fear a particular individual

  • Become withdrawn or suddenly lose/gain weight

Signs of Neglect

A child may:

  • Have poor hygiene or unattended medical needs

  • Appear hungry or underweight

  • Lack adequate supervision

  • Frequently seek adult attention

Patterns of Abuse

Serious abuse often involves a combination of physical and behavioral indicators. While a single sign may not always be conclusive, recurring patterns should always be reported.

Liability Protections

Any person acting in good faith when reporting suspected abuse, abandonment, neglect, or misconduct is protected from civil or criminal liability under Florida law.

Relevant Statutes

  • F.S. 39.203 — Protection for reporting child abuse

  • F.S. 768.095 — Protection regarding employer disclosures

This document reflects our commitment to maintaining a safe, ethical, and respectful educational environment for all members of our community.