Educators in the Commonwealth strive toward excellence, recognize the importance of the pursuit of truth, nurture democratic citizenship and safeguard the freedom to learn and to teach. Kentucky educators believe in the worth and dignity of each human being and in educational opportunities for all. Educators in the Commonwealth strive to uphold the responsibilities of the education profession according to the highest ethical standards. The commitment of all Kentucky educators is symbolized by this code of ethics of the education profession in the Commonwealth.

In relation to students:

• Shall provide students with professional education services in a nondiscriminatory manner and in consonance with accepted best practice known to the educator
• Shall respect the constitutional rights of all students
• Shall not deliberately suppress or distort subject matter for which the educator bears responsibility
• Shall take reasonable measures to protect the health, safety, and emotional well-being of students
• Shall not use professional relationships or authority with students for personal advantage
• Shall keep in confidence information about students which has been obtained in the course of professional service, unless disclosure serves professional purposes or is required by law
• Shall not knowingly make false or malicious statements about students or colleagues
• Shall refrain from subjecting students to embarrassment or disparagement
• Shall maintainn a professional approach to personal relationships with students

In relation to parents:

• Shall make reasonable effort to communicate to parents information which should be revealed in the interest of the student
• Shall endeavor to understand community cultures and diverse home environments of students
• Shall not knowingly distort or misrepresent facts concerning educational issues
• Shall distinguish between personal views and the views of the employing educational agency
• Shall not interfere in the exercise of political and citizenship rights and responsibilities of others
• Shall not use institutional privileges for private gain, for the promotion of political candidates, or for partisan political activities
• Shall not accept gratuities, gifts, or favors that might impair or appear to impair professional judgment, and shall not offer any of these to obtain special advantage.

In relation to the education profession:

• Shall exemplify behaviors which maintain the dignity and integrity of the profession
• Shall accord just and equitable treatment to all members of the profession in the exercise of their professional rights and responsibilities
• Shall keep in confidence information acquired about colleagues in the course of employment, unless disclosure serves professional purposes or is required by law
• Shall not use coercive means or give special treatment in order to influence professional decisions
• Shall apply for, accept, offer, or assign a position or responsibility only on the basis of professional preparation and legal qualifications
• Shall not knowingly falsify or misrepresent records of facts relating to the educator's own qualifications or those of other professionals.

I declare that I understand the standard for personal and professional conduct expected of a professional educator in Kentucky. I further certify that i have read and examined the CODE OF ETHICS applicable to school personnel, understand its provisions, and agree to abide by its terms during the course of my career as a professional educator.