https://padlet.com/mpowers31/50ykco6ap00e Melissa Powers en-us 2018-10-27 15:25:28 UTC 2025-10-16 19:26:26 UTC hello@padlet.com mpowers31 https://padlet.com/mpowers31/50ykco6ap00e/wish/297658635 Upon receiving my Masters in Education in Guidance and Counseling in December 2019, I plan on being employed as a guidance counselor at a small, private high school in Northwest Indiana.]]> 2018-10-27 15:33:42 UTC https://padlet.com/mpowers31/50ykco6ap00e/wish/297658635 mpowers31 https://padlet.com/mpowers31/50ykco6ap00e/wish/297660482 I interviewed Vanessa Maroules, a high school guidance counselor in the Northwest Indiana area. She gave previously unknown insight about legal and ethical issues she has to contend with while working with students in her educational position.

#1: The confidentiality of students is a priority among educators. There are guideline in place on where she can talk to students and other staff members. In her district, no conversations are held in open spaces so confidentiality cannot be broken. 

2. The issue of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) is one that is constantly in need of monitoring. While the laws are ever changing, educators need to be aware for the safety and security of their students.

3. There are also ethical concerns within the field. One is duty to warn, or when a student expresses that they are in danger of hurting themselves or others.

4. Federal law mandates that students cannot be discriminated against based on a number of factors, including religion, disability and sexual orientation. Many students that seek the help of the guidance department are struggling with these issues.

5.  Ms. Maroules receives regular training on legal and ethical issues relating to students and education. She has in-service training days once a month, and has to complete 40-50 additional hours of training a year, including topics on legal and ethical principals. Some topics on recent training included: confidentiality, at-risk populations, bullying and harassment, responsibilities to parents and the school, school safety, and ethical decision making. 

(V. Maroules, personal communication, October 25, 2018). ]]> 2018-10-27 15:51:20 UTC https://padlet.com/mpowers31/50ykco6ap00e/wish/297660482 mpowers31 https://padlet.com/mpowers31/50ykco6ap00e/wish/297664071 In an article by Education Week, the AP ( 2018) reports that despite an increase in gun violence around the country, there have been no significant changes in gun laws to help keep students safe in schools. Governors across the  country are working on gun reform measures, but no sweeping changes have been made nationwide. 

Reference:
Associated Press. ( Sept. 2018). Despite mass shootings, no sea change in state's gun laws. Education Week. ]]> 2018-10-27 16:27:40 UTC https://padlet.com/mpowers31/50ykco6ap00e/wish/297664071 mpowers31 https://padlet.com/mpowers31/50ykco6ap00e/wish/297664557 In an article by Education Dive, Paterson (2018) reports on the struggles of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) students and their immigration status. Most DACA recipients believe that if the program ends, they will no longer be able to pursue education. Most recipients said they were worried about their immigration status. ]]> 2018-10-27 16:33:09 UTC https://padlet.com/mpowers31/50ykco6ap00e/wish/297664557 mpowers31 https://padlet.com/mpowers31/50ykco6ap00e/wish/297670697 Following my research into legal and ethical issues relating to school counseling, the issue that intrigued me the most is the issue of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and education. This topic is very engaging since I live in a very diverse area, where the students in the school districts come from all walks of life, and DACA students are often looked down upon. ]]> 2018-10-27 17:34:13 UTC https://padlet.com/mpowers31/50ykco6ap00e/wish/297670697 mpowers31 https://padlet.com/mpowers31/50ykco6ap00e/wish/297670742 In searching the Angelo State University website, I came across a book from Sylvia Hurtado and Ruth Zambrana that outlines the experiences of Mexican American students through their educational experiences. ]]> 2018-10-27 17:34:39 UTC https://padlet.com/mpowers31/50ykco6ap00e/wish/297670742 mpowers31 https://padlet.com/mpowers31/50ykco6ap00e/wish/297672529 While researching the topic of education and DACA recipients, I found that as of 2015, 365,000 high school students had DACA status, and 241,000 were college students, for a total of 51% of all DACA recipients living in the United States receiving an education. ]]> 2018-10-27 17:55:34 UTC https://padlet.com/mpowers31/50ykco6ap00e/wish/297672529 mpowers31 https://padlet.com/mpowers31/50ykco6ap00e/wish/297753899 Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) is an action that President Obama enacted in June 2012 to stop the deportation of children who arrived as young children in the United States. It does not provide a path to citizenship. It does allow these children to obtain education (K-12 and beyond), work, and apply for drivers licenses, as long as they do not obtain a criminal record (Harper &  O'Boyle, 2018).

In my future work in the education field, the issue of DACA students faces many legal and ethical questions. Every guidance counselor should know the legal status of their students. Being well informed about the rights of every student under your care, especially children of special circumstances, would promote better working relationships between the counselor and students.

Being in tuned to current events relating to DACA can be beneficial to both the educator and students. Since this issue is fluid, the laws are constantly changing. Guidance counselors can be an advocate for students if they understand and are updated on the newest information regarding the laws and ethical issues regarding DACA.

References:
Harper, B. & O'Boyle, B. (Sept. 2018). Explainer: What is DACA?  Americas Society/ Council of the Americas. Retrieved from: https://www.as-coa.org/articles/explainer-what-daca]]> 2018-10-28 14:23:57 UTC https://padlet.com/mpowers31/50ykco6ap00e/wish/297753899