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My professional perspective is working as an elementary teacher for the last 17 years. I have taught 1st grade, 3rd grade and special education. I have spent my career teaching in low soc-economic schools and I am passionate about helping our students. I am on track to graduate in December with my master's degree in School Guidance and Counseling. I have been hired on my campus as the school counselor and I am excited about the opportunities to work with our students, teachers and families. My professional goal this year to lay a foundation and implement a comprehensive counseling program that meets the needs of all students.

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I meet with Sandy Bryant, who is the middle school counselor in my district. Sandy is also serving as my mentor through my practicum course. Sandy discussed legal and ethical issues of confidentiality, safety, bullying, state testing, and poverty among the student body on her middle school campus.

Issue #1: Student Confidentiality and parental rights to be informed. On a middle school campus topics about sexuality, bullying, drug usage, and abuse are areas that counselors address. She works to build relationships with students and parents, and works to serve the needs of the students.

Issue #2:  Safe Schools
This is an area that has been addressed on the local, state and national level. Procedures have been developed to protect students and staff on campus and measures have been implemented to address treats.

Issue #3:  State Testing
The ongoing pressure for districts to perform and score on STAAR tests continues to drive instruction. Counselors are expected to provide support services and counseling for students to improve overall academic and emotional health.

Issue #4:  Bullying
This topic has been an ongoing problem especially over the last five years. Campuses are working to educate students on the actual definition of what bullying is because this word has been thrown and bullying has been used to freely.

Issue #5: Poverty and student success.
Our district currently has over 70% of it's students who are eligible for free and reduced lunch. Poverty has many negative components that hinder a student's academic success. Sandy stated that the district works hard to provide early interventions and support services for students and families on all campuses.

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Researching legal issues on educationweek.org. Recent court cases rendered decisions based on cases filed against school districts who restricted trans-gendered students from utilizing restrooms based on their gender identity. U.S. Court of Appeals ruled against students stating the school district did not interfere with their privacy. On the other hand a federal district judge in Virginia, ruled in favor of a transgender student, born male, who was barred from using a female restroom.

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FERPA, known as the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Acts has recently come under fire as districts choose to initiate student rights under FERPA and not release information relating to school incidents stating student privacy. School districts are using FERPA as a way to not release information that may lead to scrutiny of school district actions and possible concerns how schools are handling disciplinary actions against students. According to this article this a misjustice and not how FERPA was intended

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Student rights and confidentiality are pressing topics in local and state courts. This topic spans across the board on school campuses with students facing many issues that raise controversy and safety concerns.  Schools are facing issues with maintaining confidentiality and the safety of all students, but student rights will continue to be equally important.

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Beese, J. A., & Martin, J. L. (2018). The bathroom case: Creating a supportive school environment for transgender and gender nonconforming students. Journal Of Cases In Educational Leadership, 21(2), 65. doi:10.1177/1555458917731867

Bryant, S., personal communication. August 24, 2018.

Courts Take Expansive View in Transgender-Rights Cases. Retrieved from https://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2018/06/06/courts-take-expansive-view-in-transgender-rights-cases.html

LoMonte, F. (2018, June 20). Student Privacy Laws Have Been Distorted (And That's a Problem). Retrieved from https://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2018/03/21/student-privacy-laws-have-been-distorted-and.html

Walsh, M. (2018, June 20).

The Ethics of Student Confidentiality & Student Affairs. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.myacpa.org/article/ethics-student-confidentiality-student-affairs.

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https://easydb.angelo.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=edb&AN=129431597&site=eds-live

Public awareness is currently on the forefront with students who identify as transgender and what restrooms are deemed appropriate to protect the rights of all students. The debate continues to linger at the top of school board agendas and in court rooms.

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http://www.myacpa.org/article/ethics-student-confidentiality-student-affairs

Students share information with individuals on campus with expectations of confidentiality and for the most part this does happen. There are some situations when confidentiality must be breached. If students are in imminent danger or threaten to hurt themselves or others, additional measures must be taken.

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According to Beese and Martin (2018), the case of Bobby Gonzalez who is formerly known, as Susan provoked a case by the family stating he was ostracized and subjected to teasing when he was prohibited to use the make restrooms. The family defended their actions against the district because they believed the district should honor his gender identity and allow access to male restrooms and locker rooms. The Springfield Heights school board decided they would continue to accommodate students according to their gender identify they were born with (Beese & Martin, 2018).

FERPA has established rights and privacy of all students and their records.  This is an important right that schools, teachers and administrators must take seriously, including decisions about students with individuals that are not directly related to the situation (The Ethics of Student Confidentiality & Student Affairs, n.d.). Challenges are met by educators when students encounter situations and decisions must be made to breach confidentiality because it is what is best for the student (The Ethics of Student Confidentiality & Student Affairs, n.d.).