TOWARDS A PROFESSIONAL CODE IN TEACHING

This paper addresses the notion of accountability in teaching, arguing that teachers themselves should assume the challenge of making themselves accountable by developing a professional code of practice. The underlying notion of professionalism in teaching is first discussed as a context for justifying the further exploration of the possibilities of a professional code for teachers. An endeavor is made to clarify the form that a professional code might take by comparing it with the code of practice established by the Advertising Standards Authority in respect of advertisements directed at or portraying.children. The content of such a code is discussed, along with how that content may be modified. Finally, the question of the status of such a code is addressed, with particular emphasis on whether it should be legal or moral. It is argued that such a professional code should primarily have a moral status, but that it should be promulgated as an enabling device under administrative law. (TE) * Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made * * from the original document.