Common allegations
- Inappropriate conduct toward or communication with students
- Classroom management and use-of-force complaints
- Testing irregularities and grade changes
- Off-duty arrests, including DUI and domestic matters
- Social media and personal conduct complaints
- Misrepresentation on certificate applications
- Failure to maintain honesty in professional dealings
Two cases at once
Most educator cases start with the school district: an investigation, a reassignment, sometimes a termination hearing. Districts are required to report certain matters to the Department of Education, which conducts its own investigation and can act against the certificate regardless of the district outcome. We handle both tracks and make sure what is said in one does not damage the other.
Outcomes
The Education Practices Commission can issue a reprimand, impose probation and training, suspend a certificate or revoke it permanently. Settlement agreements are common and can preserve a career when the facts allow. We prepare each case for a hearing before DOAH so that any settlement is negotiated from strength.
Frequently asked questions
If I resign from the district, does the state case go away?
No. A resignation ends your employment, not the Department of Education's jurisdiction over your certificate. Resigning under investigation can also be reported itself. Get advice before you resign.
Can I be disciplined for something that happened outside school?
Yes. The Principles of Professional Conduct and the statute reach conduct that reduces an educator's effectiveness, and arrests and convictions are reportable even when unrelated to teaching.
How long does a Professional Practices case take?
Often a year or more from the first notice to a final order. We use that time to build the record and, where appropriate, to resolve the case before it reaches the Commission.
Complaints against teachers & administrators are handled by the Department of Education. That page explains the agency's process in more detail.
This page is general information about Florida law, not legal advice. Deadlines and procedures vary by case and change over time.