Effective date
The new code of professional conduct took effect on January 1, 2023.
Overview
The code of professional conduct is a set of expectations that certificated teachers and teacher leaders, like principals and superintendents, must follow. It outlines the overarching ethical principles that guide everyone in the profession.
The new code took effect on January 1, 2023. Alberta’s government developed a new code of professional conduct because there were currently two different codes being followed by distinct groups of teachers. This means the rules and expectations vary depending where a teacher or teacher leader is employed.
The government unified the two previous codes to create one single code for everyone. A new unified code means teachers and teacher leaders can be confident all of their colleagues across the province will be subject to the same rules, and parents will know there is a consistent high standard of conduct for the profession.
Alberta’s teachers are passionate about their work and uphold a high degree of professionalism; the new code contains principles that are reasonable and expectations that most teachers follow in their daily lives. It is important for the code to reflect the needs and perspectives of Alberta’s teachers and teacher leaders, as well as the parents and students they serve, and that is exactly what we have worked to achieve. The new code does not prejudicially affect any right or privilege guaranteed by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms or any constitutionally protected religious instruction right or privilege under section 93 of the Constitution Act, 1867.
Previous codes of conduct
Previously, there was one code for members of the Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA), which includes teachers who work for public school authorities, separate or Catholic school authorities and francophone school authorities. This code is available on the ATA’s website.
The other code was for teachers and teacher leaders who are not members of the Alberta Teachers’ Association, which includes many of those employed in First Nations schools, public charter schools and independent schools. This code was called Professional Conduct Requirements for Teachers and Teacher Leaders. This code also applied to teacher leaders employed as superintendents, deputy superintendents in school boards and other certificated central office leaders who are not active members of the ATA.
Development
The process of developing the new code began early in 2022. The Legislative Assembly of Alberta passed Bill 15, the Education (Reforming Teacher Profession Discipline) Amendment Act in May 2022. This legislation required a new code of conduct to be in place on January 1, 2023.
The legislation also required the creation of the Alberta Teaching Profession Commission, which is responsible for investigating allegations that a teacher has broken the code. The commission became operational on January 1, 2023. It ensures complaints of unprofessional conduct are handled fairly, effectively and transparently.
- For information on previous discipline processes and implementation of the Education (Reforming Teacher Profession Discipline) Amendment Act, visit the Reforming teaching profession discipline page.
To help inform the development of the new code of conduct, the government engaged a wide variety of people and organizations. The government used an online survey to gather people’s perspectives. Respondents were asked which parts of the old codes of conduct were working well and what other concepts should appear in the new code of conduct.
Key changes
The new code sets requirements or expectations outlining how teachers and teacher leaders are expected to treat:
- their students;
- the parents and guardians of their students; and
- other teachers and teacher leaders; as well as
- general responsibilities to the teaching profession as a whole.
Many parts of the new code have been carried over from, or are based on, parts of the previous two codes. As before, the new code contains principles that are reasonable, and expectations that most teachers typically follow in their daily lives. However, the previous codes did not explicitly cover some important items. Click on the sections below to learn more.
Allegations of unprofessional conduct
The Alberta Teaching Profession Commission assumed responsibility for handling complaints of unprofessional conduct beginning January 1, 2023.
For information on how to file a complaint under the code of professional conduct, see the Making a complaint page.
Resources
Companion document
Videos
The video below provides an introduction to the new code with answers to 3 main questions:
- Why is there a new Code of Professional Conduct for Teachers and Teacher Leaders?
- How was the code made?
- What parts of the code are new?
This video explains what you can do if you have concerns about a teacher’s professional conduct.
Disclaimer: The information in these videos is current to January 2023, the time of publication. The law is constantly changing with new legislation, amendments to existing legislation, and decisions from the court. In cases of any inconsistency between the information in this video and the Education Act, the Professional Conduct and Competency for Teachers and Teacher Leaders Regulation or the Code of Professional Conduct for Teachers and Teacher Leaders, the legislation will always prevail. These videos are for information only; the Crown, its agents, employees or contractors will not be liable for any damages, direct or indirect, arising out of use of the information in these videos. These videos are not to be used, reproduced, stored or transmitted for commercial purposes without written permission from the Government of Alberta.