Florida State Music Teachers Association
Code of Ethics

We, the members of Florida State Music Teachers Association, having dedicated ourselves to the advancement of music and the development of musicians, subscribe to the following principles of ethical practice as standards of professional conduct:

I.

It shall be the obligation of every member to maintain the highest standards of moral and professional conduct and personal integrity.

II.

In the Area of Studio Music Teaching

1.

Teachers will refrain from exploiting the student primarily for the teacher’s own prestige.

2.

Teachers will co-operate in the support of public education and encourage students to participate in school ensembles and activities, unless detrimental to the welfare of the student.

3.

Teachers, if affiliated with the public schools in an instructional capacity, will conform to the policies of the school and co-operate with the administration.

4.

Teachers will be indefatigable in developing in students good taste in music literature and the highest possible standards in performance.

5.

Teachers will teach the interpretation of music according to what, in their best judgment, are the intentions of the composer.

III.

In the Area of Public School and College Music Teaching

1.

Teachers will not show partiality when advising those seeking guidance in selecting a private teacher but will, if requested, suggest the names of two (2) or more private teachers in a community, the final choice to be made by the parent and student.

2.

Teachers will secure advance approval from the properly constituted authorities for the use of a cost-free room in a publicly owned building for the purpose of teaching privately for personal monetary gain.

3.

Teachers will, after a period of basic music instruction through groups or classes, encourage qualified students to study with private teachers so each student’s abilities can be more thoroughly developed.

4.

When serving for a limited time as an interim instructor of a student from a private studio, teachers will employ the utmost tact in order to avoid undermining the instruction of the student’s regular teacher.

5.

Teachers will never solicit or accept a student for individual instruction who is already receiving instruction in the same subject from another teacher.

IV.

In the Areas of Co-Operative Activity

1.

It shall be the aim of all teachers to afford every student a rich experience in music.

2.

Teachers will give just recognition for the efforts of those to whom credit is due.

3.

Teachers will refrain from discussing with parents or students the work of another teacher in such a way as to injure the professional reputation of that teacher.

4.

Teachers will not claim sole credit for the achievement of students under co-operative or individual instruction, if such claims shall imply discredit upon a previous or present co-operating teacher.

5.

Teachers will not claim credit for the achievement of any student until the student has studied with that teacher for a term of not less than six (6) months.

6.

Teachers will offer opportunities for study to gifted but underprivileged students in the form of free lessons or scholarships only upon merit and not as inducements to study with a particular teacher.

7.

Teachers will not solicit another teacher’s students.

8.

Teachers will not accept a student who is or has been studying the same subject with another teacher until relations with the previous teacher have been terminated and his/her just indebtedness paid in full.

9.

Teachers will rely upon their professional qualities to attract students and will avoid using their positions in the community, churches, or schools as pressure on students to study with them.

10.

Teachers will not represent themselves as a “pupil of” or a “student of” a teacher unless they have completed a minimum of three (3) months study with that teacher.

11.

Teachers will not make exaggerated claims or misleading statements in any printed matter. Advertising copy will be dignified, strictly truthful, and representative of the art of music and its responsibility to the community.

12.

Members will refrain from referring prospective students to unqualified student teachers (those who have not completed their degree or certificate work with pedagogy and/or supervised practice teaching). This practice constitutes a serious breach of ethics, a lowering of standards, and an unprofessional disregard for the public.

V.

Teachers will educate themselves to the guidelines for the use of all copyrighted materials, and will refrain from illegal photocopying or reproduction thereof.

It shall be the duty of every member to report to the Executive Board the violation of any Article of this Code, supported by written evidence of such unethical conduct. If it is determined that a violation has occurred, the censured member(s) will not be allowed to participate in local and state events, for a period of time specified by the Executive Board.