Alliance for Ethical International Recruitment Practices Launches Teachers’ Code at the National Press Club

Philadelphia, PA, June 12, 2015

Contact:  mbakhshi@cgfnsalliance.org, 215-243-5825

The Alliance for Ethical International Recruitment Practices, an independent division of CGFNS International, launched the Teachers’ Code for Ethical International Recruitment and Employment Practices at the National Press Club in Washington, DC, on June 4.  The Alliance and its Code are neutral regarding whether districts should recruit internationally; since it does occur, however, the Code provides guidelines to ensure that it is conducted fairly.

Dr. Franklin Shaffer, Chief Executive Officer of CGFNS International Inc., Mukul Bakhshi, Director of the Alliance, and Dr. Patricia Pittman, former Director of the Alliance and Associate Professor at the Milken Institute School of Public Health at George Washington University gave introductory remarks about the history and impact of the Alliance and the Teachers’ Code. They emphasized next steps to raise awareness of these issues and the Code’s ability to set proper guidelines regarding contract practices, transparency and cultural integration.

The panel included perspectives from diverse stakeholders who have endorsed the Code, including:

• American Federation of Teachers: Mary Cathryn Ricker, Executive Vice President
• VIF International Education: David Young, CEO
• Baltimore City Public Schools: Erica Lomax, Director of Talent Management; Marietta English, President of the Baltimore Teachers Union; Rogie Legaspi, International Teacher and leader of Filipino Educators in Maryland

Dr. Lora Bartlett of the University of California, who moderated the panel and is a leader in the Teachers’ Code launch effort commented, “Today, representatives from school districts, labor unions, international recruitment and employment agencies came together with international teachers to call for change in how public schools in the United States recruit and employ overseas trained teachers. The Teachers’ Code represents the highest ethical standard for international teacher recruitment and employment. By endorsing it we commit individually and collectively to upholding these standards.”

The launch event, which was sponsored by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, marked a commitment to raise awareness and encourage employers to endorse. Coupled with outreach to teacher organizations and recruiters this initiative will ensure well-trained and fairly treated teachers lead our nation’s classrooms.

More information on the Teachers’ Code can be found at www.cgfnsalliance.org/teachers or using #teacherscode.

Since 1977, CGFNS International, Inc., based in Philadelphia, PA, is an immigration-neutral, non-profit organization. It has served the global community of health professionals through its programs and services that verify and promote knowledge-based practice competencies. It is the largest credentialing evaluation organization for nursing and the only organization named in the federal statute to administer visa screening of foreign-educated nurses and other professionals in seven health care fields.

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