A Comparison of Special Education Administrators’ and Teachers’ Knowledge and Application of Ethics and Professional Standards

Abstract

The field of special education is wrought with ethical dilemmas. The Council for Exceptional Children has outlined its code of ethics and standards for professional practice for individuals working in the field of special education. The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which special education administrators and teachers possess similar or different levels of knowledge and application of the council’s code and the professional advocacy responsibilities enunciated in the standards. A survey was administered to 624 professionals in the state of Wisconsin who worked with students with disabilities: 99 special education administrators and 525 special education teachers. Special education administrators and teachers were asked to rate their knowledge level of the council’s code and standards and how they used the standards when faced with ethical dilemmas.