SECTION 210:20-29-4. Principle II: Commitment to the profession

(a)   The teaching profession is vested by the public with a trust and responsibility requiring the highest ideals of professional service.

(b)   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.

(c)   In fulfillment of the obligation to the profession, the educator:

(1)   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,

(2)   Shall not misrepresent his/her professional qualifications.

(3)   Shall not assist any entry into the profession of a person known to be unqualified in respect to character, education, or other relevant attribute,

(4)   Shall not knowingly make a false statement concerning the qualifications of a candidate for a professional position,

(5)   Shall not assist an unqualified person in the unauthorized practice of the profession,

(6)   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,

(7)   Shall not knowingly make false or malicious statements about a colleague,

(8)   Shall not accept any gratuity, gift, or favor that might impair or appear to influence professional decisions or actions.

[Source: Added at 9 Ok Reg 3369, eff 7-8-92 (emergency); Added at 10 Ok Reg 2709, eff 6-25-93]