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    Professional Standards and Practices Commission

    Chapter 49 Ethics Training

    On April 23, 2022, the final form amendments to Chapter 49 (relating to Certification of Professional Personnel) of Title 22 of the Pennsylvania Code became effective upon publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.

    22 Pa. Code § 49.14(4)(i) requires the Pennsylvania Department of Education to identify competencies and develop associated standards for educator training in professional ethics.  The mandated competencies are set forth in the Professional Ethics Program Framework Guidelines (PDF). 

    Continuing professional development programs must integrate the Professional Ethics Program Framework Guidelines into the three-year plan effective the 2023-24 academic year.  Educator preparation and induction programs must integrate the Professional Ethics Program Framework Guidelines effective the 2024-25 academic year. 

    Professional Ethics is defined as “the standards of behavior, values, and principles that inform and guide professional decision-making. These standards of behavior, values and principles include those detailed in the Pennsylvania Model Code of Ethics for Educators, as adopted by the Professional Standards and Practices Commission.”  The Commission has adopted the Model Code of Ethics for Educators 2nd Edition, published by the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC), as the Pennsylvania Model Code of Ethics for Educators.   

    The Commission is committed to identifying resources to assist school entities, educator preparation providers, and educational organizations in incorporating the Pennsylvania Model Code of Ethics for Educators into their programs and practices.  

    Chapter 49 Ethics Training

    The National Council for the Advancement of Educator Ethics, established by the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC), is working with its partners to produce resources that support ethical instruction and to establish an asynchronous communication support structure for inquires about the Model Code of Ethics for Educators and its professional application.  Of note is a new video series and accompanying discussion guide, The Power of Professional Conversations: Model Code of Ethics for Educators.  The series is composed of five video segments and a discussion guide related to professional ethics, and more specifically, the Model Code of Ethics for Educators.  Additional information and a complete list of available resources is available on the Model Code of Ethics for Educators Resources page.   

    In addition, the SAS PD Center offers Act 48 courses related to each of the three program framework guidelines. Professional Ethics is a 5-hour course that explores the behaviors, values, and principles that guide professional decision-making. 

    The Commission will continue to identify resources that support ethical instruction and will publish them here as they become available.