Teacher Responsibilities: Legal, Ethical, and Professional
What the questions test
This domain covers the non-instructional duties of a teacher. Know mandated reporting: a teacher who has reasonable suspicion of child abuse or maltreatment must report to the designated state authority promptly. You do not investigate, interview the child repeatedly, notify the family (unless procedure requires otherwise for the specific report), or promise confidentiality. Know FERPA (education records, need-to-know access), Title VI, Title IX, Section 504/ADA, and state anti-bullying and Dignity for All Students requirements. Also know proper professional boundaries, appropriate use of social media and electronic communication, supervision duties, accurate recordkeeping, and copyright/fair use.
Traps
- Waiting for proof. Suspicion, not certainty, triggers the report. 'I would gather more evidence first' is the wrong answer.
- Reporting to the principal only. Administrative notification may be required, but the legal report goes to the designated agency.
- Promising secrecy to a student who discloses harm.
- Confidentiality is not silence. Share with those who need to know to serve the student; do not share in the faculty room.
- Dual relationships and private messaging with students.
Rule of thumb
Listen, don't investigate; document, don't decide; report, don't resolve.
Worked example
At dismissal, a student shows bruising and says, 'Don't tell anyone, my dad got mad.' Correct response: stay calm, do not interrogate, do not promise secrecy, reassure the child, and report the suspicion to the designated authority the same day, following district procedure and documenting objectively.