Position Statements

NABT Position Statements are updated five years after their date of adoption and approved by the NABT Board of Directors. To learn more about this process or to suggest future statements, please contact NABT.

Ethics Statement for Biology Teachers

The National Association of Biology Teachers strives to identify and communicate the basic ethical principles that represent the shared aspirations of the profession. Ethical principles should form the foundation of guidelines implemented by biology educators through a sense of mutual moral responsibility.

Classroom Teaching

Biology educators teaching at every level of life science education should expose students to the breadth and depth of scientific evidence in the subject of the course. This includes teaching students to; research controversial topics, engage in carefully structured and civil discussions on difficult topics, make decisions based on scientific evidence and data analysis to prepare students with the skills and resources necessary to become thoughtful and scientifically literate citizens. Biology educators have an ethical responsibility to teach science concepts that may conflict with their personal, religious or political values and beliefs.

Laboratory Learning

Biology educators should give students the broadest opportunity to learn the subject and processes of biology through field and laboratory experiences. Teachers should model respect for preserved specimens used in the classroom and for the conservation of organisms both in the classroom and in the field.

Scientific Communications

Biology educators should uphold the highest standards of teaching as described in the National Science Education Standards and the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.

Biology educators using lessons, handouts, articles and other materials from work previously published by others are responsible to acknowledge their sources and respect the copyright of the material.

Educators at every level should convey clear rules and consequences concerning report writing and presentations so that students know about and are required to be responsible for plagiarism and fabrication of data. Biology educators shall provide students with a classroom environment that upholds the values of academic integrity, honesty, respect, fairness, and personal responsibility.

Use of Technology

Biology educators should convey the responsible use of information technology, including respect for Internet copyright in use of articles, images and presentations developed by others through upholding high standards for their own use and expectations for student work.

Professional Activities

Biology educators should uphold the national standards of science education, uphold the standards of scientific integrity as customary in the scientific community, encourage all students to become successful in science, communicate the processes of scientific skepticism and decision-making based on evidence, and uphold the use of scientific evidence within the context of their educational institution and wider community.