Office of Accreditation & Teacher Quality

Professional Teachers Practices and Standards Commission

Code of Ethics

The Code of Ethics for Teachers is made up of three sections: Obligations to Students; Obligations to the Public; and Obligations to the Profession.

The commission strives to build statewide awareness of itself and its responsibilities. Copies of the code are included with each new South Dakota teaching certificate and renewal. South Dakota post-secondary institutions are encouraged to include the code in their curriculum, emphasizing its importance for future educators. Commission members are willing to present at workshops, in school settings, or at educational meetings. The Code of Ethics is an important tool to maintain a high level of integrity for South Dakota's teachers.

The commission encourages parties to continue to work toward the resolution of their concerns through their local school district.