Teachers’ Codes of Ethics: A Priority? Or a Consequence of Government/Union Relationships, Ideology, and Legislation?

Abstract

In this paper, I share findings from a historical investigation into how the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation’s (STF) Code of Ethics has evolved as a direct result of changing legislation. This study was based on the idea that codes of ethics are not stand-alone documents created by professional organizations to guide ethical behaviour, but policies that are a direct reflection of the relationship the profession has with the government in power. I demonstrate that the initial creation and all subsequent revisions of the STF Code of Ethics have never been independent of legislative changes. Rather, changes to the ethical code have been reactionary to political activity and dependent on the legislated changes made by the government in power.