of Ethics Online Collection: None
CODE OF ETHICS
The members of the International Reading Association who are concerned
with the teaching of reading form a group of professional persons obligated
to society and devoted to the service and welfare of individuals through
teaching, clinical services, research. and publication. The members of
this group are committed to values that are the foundation of a democratic
society -freedom to teach, write, and study in an atmosphere conducive
to the best interests of the profession. The welfare of the public, the
profession, and the individuals concerned should be of primary consideration
in recommending candidates for degrees, positions, advancements, the recognition
of professional activity, and certification in those areas where certification
exists.
Ethical standards in professional relationships:
1. It is the obligation of all members of the International Reading Association
to observe the Code of Ethics of the organization and to act accordingly
so as to advance the status and prestige of the Association and of the
profession as a whole. Members should assist in establishing the highest
professional standards for reading programs and services, and should enlist
support for these through dissemination of pertinent information to the
public.
2. It is the obligation of all members to maintain relationships with
other professional persons, striving for harmony, avoiding personal controversy,
encouraging cooperative effort, and making known the obligations and services
rendered by professionals in reading.
3. It is the obligation of members to report results of research and other
developments in reading.
4. Members should not claim nor advertise affiliation with the International
Reading Association as evidence of their competence in reading.
Ethical standards in reading services:
1. Professionals in reading must possess suitable qualifications for engaging
in consulting, clinical, or remedial work. Unqualified persons should
not engage in such activities except under the direct supervision of one
who is property qualified. Professional intent and the welfare of the
person seeking services should govern all consulting or clinical activities,
such as counseling, administering diagnostic tests, or providing remediation.
It is the duty of the professional in reading to keep relationships with
clients and interested persons on a professional level.
2. Information derived from consulting and/ or clinical services should
be regarded as confidential. Expressed consent of persons involved should
be secured before releasing information to outside agencies.
3. Professionals in reading should recognize the boundaries of their competence
and should not offer services that fail to meet professional standards
established by other disciplines. They should be free, however, to give
assistance in other areas in which they are qualified.
4. Referral should be made to specialists in allied fields as needed.
When such referral is made, pertinent information should be made available
to consulting specialists.
5. Reading clinics and/or reading professionals offering services should
refrain from guaranteeing easy solutions or favorable outconics as a result
of their work, and their advertising should be consistent with that of
allied professions. They should not accept for remediation any persons
who are unlikely to benefit from their instruction, and they should work
to accomplish the greatest possible improvement in the shortest time.
Fees, if charged, should be agreed on in advance and should be charged
in accordance with an established set of rates commensurate with those
of other professions.
Breaches of the Code of Ethics should be reported to IRA Headquarters
for referral to the Committee on Professional Standards and Ethics for
an impartial investigation.
