For Your Professional Ethics Edification

This month’s article is to update you on changes to the Professional Ethics Manual. These changes were recommended by the Professional Ethics Commission (PEC) to the ACPE Board of Directors and received their approval. Additionally, the board approved changes to The Policy to Ensure the Wellness and Fitness of Educators. You are encouraged to use the links to review the changes on the ACPE websites and read through them below.

Professional Ethics Manual Changes:

III. Time Limits for Filing Complaints

The time limit for filing a complaint has been extended from six (6) months to one (1) year for non-sexual exploitation complaints. This change is consistent with the one-year filing deadline for educational complaints.[1]  Changes to this section also clarify the commencement of the filing time period as “the event that occasions the complaint”, while also giving discretion to the Initial Review Panel (IRP, which is the first stage of review in the complaint process) to extend the period if complainant shows that he or she was unable to file a complaint within the required time period due to an ongoing educational/employment experience. There is no change to the time limit of 10 years for a complaint alleging sexual exploitation.

XII. Investigative Phase

In the Investigative Phase, the number of witnesses requested by complainants and respondents are reduced from seven (7) to three (3) witnesses having direct knowledge of the incident alleged in the complaint.

This change also removed vague wording such as “investigator(s) might contact”. It also expanded conversations between the complainants, respondents and investigators related to additional witnesses. For example, additional witnesses may be requested by either party or by the investigators, and investigators will provide a brief statement as to the reason(s) for not interviewing any proposed witness.

The Policy to Ensure the Wellness and Fitness of Educators

The updated policy removes students, as ACPE does not have jurisdiction over students regarding impairment. The policy was reviewed by the Antibias Taskforce and revised in accordance with ADA.

Please share this information with your students, advisory committees, and organizational administration.

Thank you for your questions, comments and concerns on ethics standards or the complaint process. They help us see how we can make improvements and better serve you and our association.

Respectfully,

Julie Hanada, ACPE Certified Educator

ACPE Professional Ethics Commission, Chair

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Complaints Alleging Violations of ACPE Education Standards in Educational Programs, section III.4.