Ethics and Law for School Psychologists, 8th Edition

Appendix A PRINCIPLES FOR PROFESSIONAL ETHICS^*

PURPOSE

The formal principles that elucidate the proper conduct of a professional school psychologist are known as ethics. In 1974, NASP adopted its first code of ethics, the Principles for Professional Ethics (Principles), and revisions were made in 1984, 1992, 1997, 2000, and 2010. The purpose of the Principles is to protect the public and those who receive school psychological services by sensitizing school psychologists to the ethical aspects of their work, educating them about appropriate conduct, helping them monitor their own behavior, and providing standards to be used in the resolution of complaints of unethical conduct. NASP members and school psychologists who are certified by the National School Psychology Certification System (i.e., those who hold the Nationally Certified School Psychologist credential, NCSP) are bound to abide by NASP’s code of ethics.

The NASP Principles for Professional Ethics were developed to address the unique circumstances associated with providing school psychological services.¹ The duty to educate children and youth and the legal authority to do so rest with state governments. When school psychologists employed by school boards make decisions in their official roles, such acts are seen as actions by state government. As state actors, school-based practitioners have special obligations to all students. They must know and respect the rights of students under the U.S. Constitution and federal ...