3.1 The purpose of the Rules Governing the Code of Ethics for Arkansas Educators (Code of Ethics) is to define standards of ethical conduct for all educators, whether licensed or employed under a legal waiver from licensure, and to outline procedures for receiving complaints, authorizing and conducting investigations, and recommending enforcement of the Code of Ethics.

3.2 The professional, ethical educator contributes to the development and maintenance of a supportive student-focused learning community that values and promotes human dignity, fairness, care, the greater good and individual rights. These values are the ethical premises for the standards of professional behavior and ethical decision-making established in this Code of Ethics. By establishing standards of ethical conduct, the Code of Ethics promotes the health, safety, and general welfare of students and educators and ensures the citizens of Arkansas a degree of accountability within the education profession.