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Kids Discovery

Standards of Ethical Conduct

1. Purpose and Adoption

Kids Discovery International Academy at Milton (the “School”) adopts these Standards of Ethical Conduct for all instructional personnel, educational support employees, and school administrators, including the School’s owner, pursuant to section 1002.421(1)(n), Florida Statutes. These standards are adapted from the Code of Ethics and the Principles of Professional Conduct for the Education Profession in Florida.

2. Code of Ethics

The School values the worth and dignity of every person, the pursuit of truth, devotion to excellence, acquisition of knowledge, and the nurture of democratic citizenship. The School’s primary concern is the student and the development of the student’s potential. Employees shall strive for professional growth and exercise the best professional judgment and integrity.

3. Obligations to Students

All instructional personnel, educational support employees, and school administrators shall:

  • Make reasonable effort to protect the student from conditions harmful to learning or to the student’s mental or physical health or safety.
  • Not unreasonably restraining a student from independent action in pursuit of learning or deny access to diverse points of view.
  • Not intentionally suppress or distort subject matter relevant to a student’s academic program.
  • Not intentionally expose a student to unnecessary embarrassment or disparagement or violate or deny a student’s legal rights.
  • Not harass or discriminate against any student on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national or ethnic origin, political beliefs, marital status, handicapping condition, sexual orientation, or social and family background, and shall make reasonable effort to protect each student from harassment or discrimination.
  • Not exploiting a relationship with a student for personal gain or advantage.
  • Keep in confidence personally identifiable information obtained in the course of educating the student, unless disclosure serves educational purposes or is required by law.

4. Obligations to Colleagues and the Profession

  • Maintain honesty in all professional dealings.
  • Not denying a colleague professional benefits or participation on the basis of any protected characteristic.
  • Not interfering with a colleague’s exercise of political or civil rights, or make malicious or intentionally false statements about a colleague.

5. Training Requirement

All instructional personnel, educational support employees, and school administrators are required, as a condition of employment, to complete training on these Standards, including their duty to report misconduct and suspected child abuse, abandonment, or neglect. Training is completed upon hire and refreshed annually.

6. Duty to Report Misconduct

All personnel, including the School’s owner, have an obligation to report misconduct by instructional personnel, educational support employees, and school administrators that affects the health, safety, or welfare of a student. Failure to report as required by Florida law may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.

7. How to Report Misconduct

Misconduct by instructional personnel or educational support employees is reported to the Chief Administrative Officer at (850) 865-6841 or kmurdy@kidsdiscovery.com. Misconduct by school administrators, including the Chief Administrative Officer, is reported to the Owner / COO of ELA Devine Schools Holdings, LLC at (703) 206-6225 or mszalay@pansophiclearning.com. Legally sufficient allegations of misconduct by Florida-certified educators are reported to the Florida Department of Education, Office of Professional Practices Services. Reporting procedures are detailed in Policy 8.01.

8. Reporting Child Abuse, Abandonment, or Neglect

All employees and agents have an affirmative duty to report all actual or suspected child abuse, abandonment, or neglect; have immunity from liability when reporting in good faith; and have a duty to comply with child protective investigations, per section 1006.061(1), Florida Statutes. Reports are made to the Department of Children and Families at 1-800-96-ABUSE (1-800-962-2873) or https://reportabuse.dcf.state.fl.us.

9. Penalties for Failure to Report

An employee, agent, or administrator who knowingly and willfully fails to report suspected child abuse, abandonment, or neglect may be subject to criminal penalties under section 39.205, Florida Statutes. An employee who fails to report misconduct as required by this policy is subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination.

10. Liability Protections

Reporting immunity (s. 39.203, F.S.): any person or institution participating in good faith in any act authorized or required by law, or reporting in good faith any instance of child abuse, abandonment, or neglect, is immune from civil or criminal liability that might otherwise result. Employment disclosure immunity (s. 768.095, F.S.): an employer who discloses information about a former or current employee to a prospective employer, upon request, is immune from civil liability unless it is shown by clear and convincing evidence that the information was knowingly false or violated a protected civil right under Chapter 760, F.S.