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Upon completion of a Master of Education in Guidance and Counseling, I hope to be employed as a school counselor in secondary education.

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Exploration Option 2 - American School Counselor Association (ASCA)

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Exploration Option 2 - American School Counselor Association (ASCA)

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The ASCA is a professional organization supporting school counselors. In my review of the ASCA website, I noticed their ethical standards available to view. These standards serve as a guide for ethical policies of all school counselors to maintain integrity, leadership and professionalism. These standards include guidelines for responsibility the counselor has to students, parents/ guardians, school and self.

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Not-Found - American School Counselor Association (ASCA)

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Exploration Option 2 - Association of Texas Professional Educators (ATPE)

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Exploration Option 2 - Association of Texas Professional Educators (ATPE)

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When reviewing the ATPE website I noticed a link directing me to an article about a plan for special education overhaul in Texas. A thorough investigation found that Texas failed to provide students with disabilities a proper education, violating federal special education law. A plan is in the works on how to improve special education for students with disabilities. However, there is still a debate on how to help districts overhaul their policies. TEA has also posted grants over $20 million to assist districts in improving policies.

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When I performed an internet search on this topic, I identified a website from the U.S. Department of Education that states the requirements for placing a student in section 504 and the procedural safeguards required by the school.

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Find federal education legislation, regulations, guidance, and other policy documents.

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Section 504 ensures that a child with a disability has equal access to an education. I chose section 504 because many students in my district qualify under this 504 law.

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Exploration Option 1 - Top 5 Legal and Ethical Issues According to a Current Professional

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Exploration Option 1 - Top 5 Legal and Ethical Issues According to a Current Professional

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I talked with the current principal, Blanca Smith, at McCamey Middle School about current legal and ethical issues that impact her role.

1. Legal requirements that are regularly monitored:

Federal programs such as special education, section 504, ESL/ bilingual, GT, Career Tech Education Programs.

Ensuring the requirements are met for each category.

2. Items to keep in mind about legal requirements:

Teachers must use special education and section 504 accommodations and modifications.

Special education and 504 meetings must stay up to date.

Documentation for federal programs must stay up to date.

3. Example of student situation where legal implications were met:

Truancy charges on parents due to their child's lack of attendance.

If a students misses 10 days in an allotted period charges have to be filed.

Case is held before a judge and fines can be the result.

4. Training
Mrs. Smith attends annual training on legal issues and laws

Changes in bullying laws

Changes in laws about restraining students

Online training: Sexual harassment, Suicide awareness, blood born pathogens.

5. How to stay current on legal issues:

Attend professional development

Webinars

Newsletters

School lawyers training

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Discrimination: Section 504 and ADA. (2018, July 31). Retrieved from http://www.wrightslaw.com/info/sec504.index.htm

Madaus, J. W., & Shaw, S. F. (2008). Thr Role of School Professionals in Implementing Section 504 for Students With Disabilities. Educational Policy, 363-377.

Protecting Students With Disabilities. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/504faq.html

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In my search of the Angelo State University library, I found an article titled "The Role of School Professionals in Implementing Section 504 for Students With Disabilities" by Joseph W. Madaus and Stan F. Shaw that overviews the roles on a section 504 team.

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Role of School Professionals Implementing Section 504

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Section 504 is a federal law that provides students with disabilities appropriate educational services designed to meet the individual needs of students. In most instances students are accommodated in regular classrooms. A school district is out of compliance when it is violating any provision of the section 504 statute or regulations.

School counselors have a responsibility to develop a comprehensive school counseling program for all students including students with disabilities. School counselors are an advocate for students and may be an essential member of the 504 team. However, counselors may have a lack of professional training in 504 and Office for Civil Rights.