There are many organizations and councils that are committed to upholding and practicing professional excellence in the field of special education. Special education teachers must exert many forms of professionalism, confidentiality, integrity, knowledge and nurturing. Many adults of children today do not set good examples or provide ethical guidance for their children. I strongly believe in treating all my students with respect and dignity. I feel one of the most important qualities a teacher can have is a strong ethical viewpoint on education and their students. I hope to not only know these ethical codes but to put these theories into practice in my everyday teaching.
The Council for Exceptional Children is a group of people that hold the leading voice for special and gifted education. One of the original aims of the CEC was to establish professional standards for teachers in the field of special education. The CEC is composed of more than 30,000 members. The Council sets the standards for high quality education for children and youth with exceptionalities. They make sure the needs of children with exceptionalities are met in educational legislation, establishes professional standards for the field and develops initiatives to improve special education practice.
The CEC also serves as a source place where special educators can gain information, resources and professional development.
Professional special educators of the CEC are committed to upholding the following principles:
A. Maintaining challenging expectations for individuals with exceptionalities to develop the highest possible learning outcomes and quality of life potential in ways that respect their dignity, culture, language, and background.
B. Maintaining a high level of professional competence and integrity and exercising professional judgment to benefit individuals with exceptionalities and their families.
C. Promoting meaningful and inclusive participation of individuals with exceptionalities in their schools and communities.
D. Practicing collegially with others who are providing services to individuals with exceptionalities.
E. Developing relationships with families based on mutual respect and actively involving families and individuals with exceptionalities in educational decision making.
F. Using evidence, instructional data, research, and professional knowledge to inform practice.
G. Protecting and supporting the physical and psychological safety of individuals with exceptionalities.
H. Neither engaging in nor tolerating any practice that harms individuals with exceptionalities.
I. Practicing within the professional ethics, standards, and policies of CEC; upholding laws, regulations, and policies that influence professional practice; and advocating improvements in laws, regulations, and policies.
J. Advocating for professional conditions and resources that will improve learning outcomes of individuals with exceptionalities.
K. Engaging in the improvement of the profession through active participation in professional organizations.
L. Participating in the growth and dissemination of professional knowledge and skills.
Adopted by the CEC Board of Directors, January 2010
The National Association of Special Education Teachers (NASET) is an organization dedicated to meeting the needs of special education teachers and those preparing for the field of special educations. This organization also has a code of ethics that “established principles and guidelines to enhance practice and inspire professional excellence”. There are Six Principles of ethical behavior and conduct.