https://padlet.com/callie_vanhoff/legalandethicalprinciples Callie Van Hoff's Padlet for EDG 6305- DS1 Fall B Legal and Ethical Principles en-us 2018-10-29 00:48:29 UTC 2023-03-29 21:30:15 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/icons/Templeball.png callie_vanhoff https://padlet.com/callie_vanhoff/legalandethicalprinciples/wish/297837554 Upon the completion of my principal certification, I will enroll in my last few courses to finish my counseling certification. With these certifications, I will take on an administrative role at an elementary school. Having the opportunity to serve teachers, families and students at this level will be a welcomed challenge where I know I can be a positive influence for our school community. ]]> 2018-10-29 00:55:29 UTC https://padlet.com/callie_vanhoff/legalandethicalprinciples/wish/297837554 callie_vanhoff https://padlet.com/callie_vanhoff/legalandethicalprinciples/wish/297842247 I spoke with a knowledgable current school counselor from a small school district for third through fifth grades. Cheryl Parks has worked in many areas within the education field and has been in her current position for five years. 
1) Mrs. Parks expressed the issue of abuse and awareness are always present on her campus. In a small town setting, gossip swirls and long standing relationships come in to question at times. Ensuring that only people that have an academic need to know information is easy enough, reprimanding those who continue to spread information is a challenge. 
2) Testing guidelines and state requirements are ever changing. Remaining in contact with other professionals throughout the region as well as regularly attending trainings or informational meetings is important as new processes come to light each year.
3) Addressing bullying is a part of ongoing school culture as well as taking what may seem to be small incidents seriously. Knowing the school's legal responsibilities as well as when it is appropriate to turn things over to authorities is something that is discussed with the school district's attorney fairly often. 
4)Documentation is vital to any role in education. From teacher's small group notes to special education meeting minutes on to logging parent communication. Counselors and principals are not excluded from detailed documentation from student interaction. This may serve as protection for the professional. 
5)Student and staff discipline issues seem to be ongoing. Generally, they are not large enough to become legal issues. Student discipline and enforcing a code of conduct with consequences can be difficult when there are are no other public education options in town. Staff discipline issues are carefully documented and monitored with the help of human resources department.

(C. Parks, personal communication, October 25,2018).]]> 2018-10-29 01:24:16 UTC https://padlet.com/callie_vanhoff/legalandethicalprinciples/wish/297842247 callie_vanhoff https://padlet.com/callie_vanhoff/legalandethicalprinciples/wish/297850587 This book is a recommended resource that has a wealth of information addressing the ins and outs of school laws in Texas. Walsh addresses the law's implications that principals and administrators need to be aware of. ]]> 2018-10-29 02:12:09 UTC https://padlet.com/callie_vanhoff/legalandethicalprinciples/wish/297850587 callie_vanhoff https://padlet.com/callie_vanhoff/legalandethicalprinciples/wish/297851574 Student discipline spans from "overly vague rules" to corporal punishment. There are many facets to acknowledge in the realm of discipline. Corporal punishment is still in affect in some districts across Texas. There are some restrictions and many educators are stepping away from corporal punishment because of the legal implications that may arise. Yearly, there are many cases that are filed, though few end up being prosecuted, the strain and stress of accusations of child abuse is enough to ward people away from turning to corporal punishment.
Religion in schools is another hot topic. This topic spans from teaching creation-science to wearing religious symbols. Allowing, participating and promoting all have their own stipulations.
Walsh, J., Kemere, F., Maniotis, L. (2014). The Educator's Guide to Texas School Law (8th ed.). Austin: University of Texas Press.]]> 2018-10-29 02:17:49 UTC https://padlet.com/callie_vanhoff/legalandethicalprinciples/wish/297851574 callie_vanhoff https://padlet.com/callie_vanhoff/legalandethicalprinciples/wish/297859742 Student discipline issues seem to be on the rise. From talking with retired teachers and principals, one can assume that children have not changed, rather society has changed. There are so many legal implications when it comes to corporal punishment but there seem to be as many for bullies that go unpunished in schools. As I move toward an administrative position, I want to be well informed about all the legal implications as I make decisions on how to run my office. There are many schools of thought on corporal punishment and student discipline in general, getting to know the subject well now will help me in the future. ]]> 2018-10-29 03:07:46 UTC https://padlet.com/callie_vanhoff/legalandethicalprinciples/wish/297859742 callie_vanhoff https://padlet.com/callie_vanhoff/legalandethicalprinciples/wish/297860697 This article discusses the prevalent use of corporal punishment across certain subpopulations. The policy report details the probable future of the practice in schools. ]]> 2018-10-29 03:14:09 UTC https://padlet.com/callie_vanhoff/legalandethicalprinciples/wish/297860697 callie_vanhoff https://padlet.com/callie_vanhoff/legalandethicalprinciples/wish/297861718 While searching the Angelo State University Library, I found this resource. This book offers information about the negative effects of traditional punishments as well as ideas for nontraditional approaches to student discipline.]]> 2018-10-29 03:20:52 UTC https://padlet.com/callie_vanhoff/legalandethicalprinciples/wish/297861718 callie_vanhoff https://padlet.com/callie_vanhoff/legalandethicalprinciples/wish/297862663      Discipline issues are not getting bigger or smaller, they are simply changing. Coming from a small West Texas town, corporal punishment seemed like the way to handle issues that arise. Legal implications have changed, veteran educators need to be aware of the changes. Administrators need to be aware of policies and possible legal repercussions if  corporal punishment is used.
     While corporal punishment remains legal in several states, Texas seems to be slowly phasing it out. Texas does have a parental opt-out policy. Each district may have more strict policies for their educators when it comes to corporal punishment. Even if a student's behavior constitutes, according to district policy, that one may use corporal punishment, an administrator will want to have ample documentation and a witness present. There are many caveats families are using to bring a case against a district or an administrator in these situations.
     Administrators and district officials must create and adhere to policies to protect both educators and children and serve them well. Knowing implications for corporal punishment as well as other research based options such as Restorative Discipline or preventative measures. David Dupper writes a five step plan to transition schools to a holistic approach. The key here is transitioning. It is most difficult to retrain veteran teachers and their way of thinking when it comes to how discipline should be handled, which will effect the overall culture of the school.
    This topic remain prevalent because of my location and it's normalcy in our part of the world. Acknowledging the legality and allowing corporal punishment under very carefully researched circumstances is important for some families and possibly why they would choose to attend our charter. Offering an alternative practice and treating the students holistically is likely why more families will choose our charter.  Being at a school that is almost a start up comes with many freedoms because there is not a normal way of doing things. This aspect is met with many challenges because there is nothing to fall back on and few resources to rely on when clarification is needed in legal issues when it comes to writing or enforcing policies. It is important for educators at any institution but especially at a small, young charter to be made aware of the legal implications of corporal punishment as well as alternative options to it.

Dupper, D. R. (2010). A New Model of School Discipline : Engaging Students and Preventing Behavior Problems. New York: Oxford University Press. Retrieved from https://easydb.angelo.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=nlebk&AN=309065&site=ehost-live


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