Ethics

ACTIVITY 1: ASSESSMENT SCENARIOS

Suppose you are the principal of a public high school. You received complaints from students
concerning their tests. Based on their complaints, you decided to talk to the teachers concerned
and offered advice based on ethical standards. Write down your recommendations citing
specific aspects of ethics or fairness discussed in this chapter.

Scenario 1: Eight-grade students complained that their music teacher uses only written tests as the
sole method of assessment. They were not assessed on their skills in singing or creating musical
melodies.

Scenario 2: Grade 7 students complained that they were not informed that there is a summative
test in Algebra.

Scenario 3: Grade 7 students complained that they were not told what to study for the mastery
test. They were simply told to study and prepare for the test.

Scenario 4: Grade 9 students complained that there were questions in their Science test on the
last unit which was not discussed in class.

Scenario 5: Grade 9 students studied for a long test covering the following topics: Motion in two
dimensions; Mechanical Energy; Heat, Work and Efficiency; and Electricity and Magnetism. The
teacher prepared several questions on the first topic. Hence students complained that most of
what they studied did not turn up in the test.

Scenario 6: Students complained that they had difficulty with the test because they prepared by
memorizing the content.

Scenario 7: Students were tested on an article they read about Filipino ethnic groups. The article
depicted Ilocanos as stingy. Students who hail from Ilocos were not comfortable answering the
test

ACTIVITY 2: DO’S AND DON’T’S

Suppose you are a firm teacher especially when it comes to ethics in assessment. You would like
to observe correct conduct prior, during and after a test. Write down five DO’s and DON’Ts for
each phase of testing.

Before the test During the test After the test

Worksheet Assessment in Learning 1

ACTIVITY 3: CASE ANALYSIS
Article VIII of the Code of Ethics for Teachers (Resolution No. 435, s. 1997) contain ethical
standards in relation with students. These standards are benchmarks to ensure that teachers
observe fairness, justice and equity in all phases of the teaching-learning cycle.

Article VIII: The Teacher and Learners

Section 1: A teacher has a right and duty to determine the academic marks and the promotions
of learners in the subject or grades he handles, provided that such determination shall be in
accordance with generally accepted procedures of evaluation and measurement. In case of
any complaint, teachers concerned shall immediately take appropriate actions, observing due
process.

Section 2: A teacher shall recognize that the interest and welfare of learners are of first and
foremost concern, and shall deal justifiably and impartially with each of them.

Section 3: Under no circumstance shall a teacher be prejudiced or discriminate against a

learner.

Section 4: A teacher shall not accept favors or gifts from learners, their parents or others in their
behalf in exchange for requested concessions, especially if undeserved.

Section 5: A teacher shall not accept, directly or indirectly, any remuneration from tutorials other
than what is authorized for such service.

Section 6: A teacher shall base the evaluation of the learner’s work only in merit and quality of
academic performance.

Section 7: In a situation where mutual attraction and subsequent love develop between
teacher and learner, the teacher shall exercise utmost professional discretion to avoid scandal,
gossip and preferential treatment of the learner.

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 Section 8: A teacher shall not inflict corporal punishment on offending learnings nor make
deductions from their scholastic ratings as a punishment for acts which are clearly not
manifestations of poor scholarships.

Section 9: A teacher shall ensure that conditions contribute to the maximum development of
learners are adequate, and shall extend needed assistance in preventing or solving learner’s
problems and difficulties.

For each of the following, explain why the teacher’s action is deemed unethical. Moreover, cite
a section of the Code of Ethics that was violated to support your answer.

1. A Social Studies teacher gave an essay asking students to suggest ways to improve the quality
of education in the country. The teacher simply scanned students’ answers and many of the
students received the same score.
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2. A Grade 4 Technology and Livelihood Education teacher did not allot sufficient time in teaching
animal care, but instead focused on gardening, a topic which he liked the most.
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3. The teacher uses stigmatizing descriptions for students who are not able to answer teacher’s
questions during an initiation-response-evaluation/recitation.
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4. A grade school teacher deducted five points from a student’s test score for the misdemeanor
in class.
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5. The teacher gave additional points to students who bought tickets for the school play which
was declared to be optional.
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6. Some students received an “incomplete” in the performance task due to absences or other
reasons. The teacher told them to acquire books instead in lieu of the performance assessment.
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7. A student approached the teacher during the summative test in Mathematics to ask about a
test item. The teacher reworded the test item and clarified the test question.
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8. The teacher excused foreign students from participating in the Linggo ng Wika program.
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Source: De Guzman, E. & Adamos, J. (2015). Assessment of Learning 1. Adriana Publishing

Company: Quezon City

Worksheet Assessment in Learning 1