The AVA Code of Ethics

The AVA (American Vocational Association) has now become the ACTE
(Association of Career and Technical Education)
but the Code of Ethics is still the same as when it was first developed.

The vocational educator believes in the worth and dignity of each individual and in the value of vocational education in enhancing individual development. Consequently, vocational educators strive for the highest ethical standards to merit the respect and confidence of students, colleagues, and the community. They use their skills and knowledge to develop each of their students or colleagues to maximize human potential. This statement of A Code of Ethics provides a framework by which to guide vocational educators and the institutions through which they work in attaining the highest degree of professionalism.

With respect to self the vocational educator:

• Represents personal and professional qualifications in a true and accurate manner.

• Maintains confidentiality of students and colleagues except where disclosure is compelled by law or to serve a compelling professional need.

• Bases professional action and decisions upon sound, objective rationale without influence of favors, gifts, or personal or political advantage.

• Recognizes and accepts responsibility for individual actions, judgments, and decisions.

• Strives throughout one's career to master, maintain and improve professional competence through study, work, travel, and exploration.

• Contributes to the growing body of specialized knowledge, concepts, and skills which characterize vocational education.

• Strives for the advancement of vocational education, upholds its honor and dignity, and works to strengthen it in the community, state, and nation.

• Participates actively in the work of professional organizations to define and improve standards of vocational education preparation and service.

• Establishes and maintains conditions of employment conducive to providing high-quality vocational education.

• Performs one's duty as a teacher on the basis of careful preparation so instruction is accurate, current, objective, and scholarly, designed to enhance the students individual capabilities.

• Exercises professional judgment in presenting, interpreting, and critiquing ideas, including controversial issues.

• Joins with other professionals whose mission is to improve the delivery of vocational education to the nation's citizens.

With respect to others the vocational educator:

• Uses individual competence as a principal criterion in accepting delegated responsibilities and assigning duties to others.

• Provides statements about a colleague or student in a fair, objective manner without embarrassment or ridicule.

• Provides educational and/or career options to all students or colleagues.

• Evaluates students and colleagues without regard to race, color, creed, sex, status or any other factor unrelated to need for vocational education,
  a. allows any student or colleague to participate in the program who can benefit from the program.
  b. provides the same benefits or advantages to all students or colleagues in the program.

• Respects the rights and reputations of the students and colleagues with whom one works, and the institution with which one is affiliated.

• Acts to safeguard the health and safety of students and colleagues against incompetent, unethical, or illegal behavior of any person, whether student or colleague.

• Protects vocational education by promoting admission to the profession of persons who are fully qualified because of character, education, and experience, according to legally established criteria and standards.

• Promotes improvement of legalities affecting vocational education.

• Exercises professional judgment in the choice of teaching methods and materials appropriate to the needs and interests of each student.

• Influences effectively the formation of policies and procedures which affect one's professional work.

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