My Exploration of Legal and Ethical Principles for School Counselors by Natalia DeWitt https://padlet.com/ndewitt3/4mtik5zj2i61 Natalia DeWitt EDG-6305 Angelo State University en-us 2019-03-23 22:07:28 UTC 2019-03-25 00:24:22 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/icons/File.png Step 2: Exploration Option 2 - American School Counseling Association ndewitt3 https://padlet.com/ndewitt3/4mtik5zj2i61/wish/344498914 In my review of the ASCA Ethical Standards for School Counselors, there were several questions and concerns about confidentiality. States and district have different guidelines for student confidentiality. It is imperative for counselors to ensure they follow those guidelines. Parents and other staff members may ask to obtain information on a student that is receiving counseling services, but counselors must also maintain a rapport and trust. Counselors must use confidentiality guidelines as well as use professional judgement to ensure that there are not any legal or ethical implications.  
 
]]> 2019-03-23 22:07:28 UTC https://padlet.com/ndewitt3/4mtik5zj2i61/wish/344498914 Step 4: Researching Confidentiality ndewitt3 https://padlet.com/ndewitt3/4mtik5zj2i61/wish/344498917 In my search of the Angelo State University Library, I found an academic article titled "School Counselors’ of Student Confidentiality" by Shannon Trice-Black, Morgan Riechel and M. Ann Shillingford. The article discusses the issues of confidentiality and ethical boundaries of school counselors.  ]]> 2019-03-23 22:07:28 UTC https://padlet.com/ndewitt3/4mtik5zj2i61/wish/344498917 Step 4: Researching Confidentiality ndewitt3 https://padlet.com/ndewitt3/4mtik5zj2i61/wish/344498918 In my internet search, I found a document from the American School Counseling Association website that outlines the role of school counselors in regards to confidentiality. ]]> 2019-03-23 22:07:28 UTC https://padlet.com/ndewitt3/4mtik5zj2i61/wish/344498918 Step 3: Confidentiality ndewitt3 https://padlet.com/ndewitt3/4mtik5zj2i61/wish/344498919 Confidentiality seems to a big legal and ethical issue that school counselors face daily. They are responsible for a multitude of tasks and they must conduct those tasks while insuring that they are maintaining confidentiality. 
 
]]> 2019-03-23 22:07:28 UTC https://padlet.com/ndewitt3/4mtik5zj2i61/wish/344498919 Step 2: Exploration Option 2 - ASCD (formerly Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development ndewitt3 https://padlet.com/ndewitt3/4mtik5zj2i61/wish/344498920 In my review of the article, Bullying and Harassment on the ASCD website, I found that a legal and ethical issue that counselors and fellow educators face is violence in school. It is up to educators and counselors to investigate claims of violence, follow district and state guidelines, and determine whether the actual claim constitutes as a true offense. There are many types of violence from bullying to self-harm and each act of violence has its own set of guidelines and protocols to follow. Educators, counselors, and principals need to make sure that they follow up on claims to ensure that they do not face legal action.  

]]> 2019-03-23 22:07:28 UTC https://padlet.com/ndewitt3/4mtik5zj2i61/wish/344498920 Step 2: Exploration Option 1 - Top According to a Current Professional ndewitt3 https://padlet.com/ndewitt3/4mtik5zj2i61/wish/344498921 I talked to a current elementary School Guidance Counselor, Andrea Boen, about current legal and ethical issues impacting her role. 

#1 Managing the multitude of tasks while maintaining state and district deadlines. The workload of school counselors can be overwhelming. Some of those tasks include, individual student counseling, class counseling lessons, facilitation of the 504 and Special education process, legal documentation, keeping track of data, educating parents on issues, training teachers, and more.  

#2 Keeping up with current legal guidelines and policies for both the state and the school district can be difficult. Policies and rules that have recently changed are 504 requirements and guidelines, new eligibility guidelines for STAAR, new guidelines for sub intellectual functioning, and requirements/guidelines for dyslexia.  
  • Great ways to stay up to date on legal guidelines are district training, regional training, school board meetings, Counseling Conferences, Texas Education Agency website, and Texas Counseling Association Newsletters and website.  

#3 School counselors must be careful when parents and/or other staff members are asking for confidential information regarding a student. School counselor have legal and ethically guidelines they must adhere to. 
 
#4 Addressing mental health and social emotional needs of students. There seems to be more and more students that are in need of these services. Students need help working through mental health issues, behavior issues, and/or family crisis'. 

#5 Educating parents is an important task for school counselors. Some parents need consultation on how to communicate with their children and on ways they can help their children through peer and/or family issues. Some parents do not completely understand the role of school counselors. Some parents do not want their children to receive school counseling and some want their children to receive in depth counseling. Counselors are required to find ethical ways to inform parents on issues with their children, providing them with resources, and educating them on the role of school counselors.  

(A. Boen, personal communication, March 21, 2019)
]]> 2019-03-23 22:07:28 UTC https://padlet.com/ndewitt3/4mtik5zj2i61/wish/344498921 Step 1: Professional Perspective ndewitt3 https://padlet.com/ndewitt3/4mtik5zj2i61/wish/344498922 Upon completion of my Master's degree in Guidance and Counseling, I hope to be employed as elementary school counselor. ]]> 2019-03-23 22:07:28 UTC https://padlet.com/ndewitt3/4mtik5zj2i61/wish/344498922 Step 5: Summary and References ndewitt3 https://padlet.com/ndewitt3/4mtik5zj2i61/wish/344617182 School counselors handle a multitude of tasks and are required to maintain confidentiality as outlined by the district and state guidelines. If counselors do not maintain proper confidentiality, there could be legal and or ethical repercussions. There are occasions that student confidentiality can be limited. You may share students’ confidential information if they threaten to impose danger to themselves or others. You also may need to share confidential information with certain professionals that work to support the student.  (Trice-Black, 2013)

There are many scenarios that school counselors are responsible for that require confidentiality. They are responsible for the 504 and special education process. Therefore, they will be in possession of confidential paperwork. Counselors also may handle Child Protective Service concerns regarding students. They must remain confidentiality to not only the child and family members, but also to fellow colleagues. Counselors will also face situations where parents and/or fellow professionals want to obtain confidential information. School counselors must understand their legal and ethical boundaries regarding student confidentiality. (https://www.schoolcounselor.org, 2018)


References 
American School Counselor Association (ASCA). (n.d.). Retrieved March 21, 2019, from https://www.schoolcounselor.org/ 

Conn, K. (n.d.). Chapter 6. Student Threats and Violence in Schools. Retrieved March 20, 2019, from http://www.ascd.org/publications/books/104147/chapters/Student-Threats-and-Violence-in-Schools.aspx 

Trice-Black, S. stblack@wm. ed., Riechel, M. E. K., & Shillingford, M. A. (2013). School Counselors’ Constructions of Student Confidentiality. Journal of School Counseling, 11(12), 1–46. 


]]> 2019-03-24 21:37:14 UTC https://padlet.com/ndewitt3/4mtik5zj2i61/wish/344617182