More and More Georgia Teachers Face Ethics Violation Inquiries
When classes went online during the COVID-19 shutdowns, the number of allegations of unethical conduct by Georgia K-12 teachers decreased from previous years. Now, however, the number of ethics cases in the state has surpassed pre-pandemic levels. Between 2023 and 2024 alone, the number of cases before the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (PSC) rose 29%.
The stats here are provocative and worth a closer look, but no educator anywhere would want to forget that the cases under review by the Georgia PSC represent real people going through an extremely trying, stressful process. Each of them studied hard and trained for their profession, and many of them have helped hundreds or even thousands of students over the years. Yet, here they are, their licenses and their careers hanging in the balance.
If you’re a teacher in Georgia or anywhere else in the U.S. and you, too, face an investigation or disciplinary action by your licensing board, the LLF National Law Firm’s Professional License Defense Team can help. We work with educators nationwide to ensure their side of the story is heard loud and clear and that their board follows its due process rules. Call us at 888-535-3686 or send us a message online.
Triggering a Georgia PSC Investigation
The Georgia PSC opened more than 1,850 investigations into Georgia teachers in 2024 for suspected violations of the state’s ethical standards. These inquiries, like licensing board investigations in other states, follow from one of two instigating factors:
- Open application: People applying for, upgrading, or renewing a teaching certificate in Georgia have to answer questions on the application form about their criminal history. Any question marked “yes” automatically triggers an investigation.
- Complaint: The Georgia PSC investigates any complaint about an educator’s ethical conduct, whether the complaint comes from a school district, a parent, or a member of the community.
The number of open application cases in Georgia doubled between 2021 and 2024, and the number of complaints increased, too.
Types of Ethics Violations
Georgia teachers did not become less ethical after the pandemic. Instead, says Laurin Vonada, the Georgia PSC’s ethics division director, the commission has raised awareness of the state’s Code of Ethics for Educators (COE) and its reporting requirement. Vonada adds that an influx of nearly 10,000 prospective educators in Georgia over the last six years is driving up the number of open application cases.
For complaint cases, violations of four ethical standards make up the bulk: unprofessional conduct, legal non-compliance, dishonesty, and improper conduct with a student lead to sanctions from the PSC.
- Professional conduct: Considered a “catch-all provision,” this covers any behavior that is “detrimental to the health, welfare, discipline or morals of a student.” The provision also includes breach of contract (leaving a position without giving the required notice, for example).
- Legal compliance: Certified teachers who engage in criminal activity, fail to report a drug conviction, or fail to disclose criminal charges when they filed their license application might be considered legally non-compliant.
- Honesty: Nearly all honesty violations have to do with lying on the licensure application or falsifying Individualized Education Plans.
- Conduct with students: Improper conduct with students can include sexual or otherwise inappropriate relationships and corporal punishment.
Georgia’s ethical standards for educators are similar to those in other states.
The Professional License Defense Team Helps Teachers Nationwide
An ethics inquiry from the state professional licensing board, whether for an open application or in response to a complaint, is a stressful process with very high stakes. More than a livelihood is on the line — teachers know their work is important and meaningful, and invest the whole of themselves in building a career to be proud of.
If you’re an educator facing disciplinary action from your state’s licensing board, the Professional License Defense Team at the LLF National Law Firm is here for you. Send us a message and tell us about your case today, or call us directly at 888-535-3686.