My Exploration of Legal and Ethical Principles for School Administrators by Trishia Ruiz https://padlet.com/truiz9/TRuizEDG6305 Trishia Ruiz, Graduate Student EDG 6305 en-us 2019-01-13 04:08:36 UTC 2023-02-12 05:09:23 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/icons/Balance.png My Professional Prospective truiz9 https://padlet.com/truiz9/TRuizEDG6305/wish/320008048 Upon completion of a Texas Principal Certification, I hope to be employed as an assistant principal in elementary education.]]> 2019-01-13 04:37:47 UTC https://padlet.com/truiz9/TRuizEDG6305/wish/320008048 Exploration Option 1 truiz9 https://padlet.com/truiz9/TRuizEDG6305/wish/320013338 I spoke with the principal of Sanborn Elementary, Sandra Tudon about current legal and ethical issues that are impacting her role as an educational leader. 

#1: House Bill 2610 changed the original 180 days of instruction requirement with a change of 75,600 minutes.  This affected the early childhood track.  Kindergarten had a student release before 3 PM.  With the change of the wording, all grades had a dismissal until after 3 PM.  This caused a shift in the school day schedule for all grade levels.
#2: Previously, the school district was out of compliance when it came to the number of minorities receiving ISS.  Because of this, alerts are sent out weekly in respect to student groups identified in ISS.  This has caused a different approach to discipline in some cases.  
#3: Consideration of Due process law with students is very important. When encountering a discipline concern, all parties have the right to tell their side of the story, have witnesses and an appeal. Each case must be viewed in its own context reviewing not only the offense that was committed, but also intentions and motivations. 
#4: When approaching a concern with an employee, every angle must be perceived.  The principal should make sure that FERPA laws are not being infringed nor should the action taken against the employee be viewed as discriminatory.  
#5: The school district must stay abreast in understanding laws affecting the current student population.  Plus, they must provide this information to all needed personnel.  The hot topics currently are Special Education, FERPA, and House Bill 2610 as it pertains to minutes of instruction. ]]> 2019-01-13 06:30:28 UTC https://padlet.com/truiz9/TRuizEDG6305/wish/320013338 Exploration Option 2 (www.naset.org) National Association of Special Education Teachers truiz9 https://padlet.com/truiz9/TRuizEDG6305/wish/320621453 In reviewing the National Association of Special Education Teachers (NASET), FERPA was an important issue. The Family Educational Rights And Privacy Act (FERPA) outlines requirements designed to protect the privacy of parents and students. The law requires a school district to  provide parental access to their child's educational records; provide the parent the opportunity to seek correction of records they believe to be inaccurate or misleading; and with some exceptions, obtain the written permission of a parent before disclosing information contained in the student's educational record.
Also, the Section 504 plan for students requires those involved in a manifestation determination meeting need to be knowledgeable about the student and the meaning of the data being reviewed when considering expulsion or long term suspension. It is advantageous to include those who designed the student's 504 plan in the process if possible. When this is not possible, teachers, parents, health professionals, counselors, etc. can serve on the team that makes a manifestation determination provided they have knowledge of the student and the data being reviewed. ]]> 2019-01-15 05:34:18 UTC https://padlet.com/truiz9/TRuizEDG6305/wish/320621453 Exploration Option 2 (www.nea.org) National Education Association truiz9 https://padlet.com/truiz9/TRuizEDG6305/wish/320622788 While researching the site for the National Education Association, Cultual competence was a major component discussed. Cultural competence is a key factor in enabling educators to be effective with students from cultures other than their own. The student population in today's classroom are very diverse. Cultural competence is having an awareness of one’s own cultural identity and views about difference, and the ability to learn and build on the varying cultural and community norms of students and their families. 
Another important spotlight was on educational funding. Educational funding has seen an increase.  This has allowed school districts to invest in areas of need more soundly. This was increased when Congress passed the FY2018 Budget Bill. It increased education funding for programs serving the students most in need like Title I, IDEA, 21st Century Community Learning Centers, Career and Technical Education (CTE), and Impact Aid. ]]> 2019-01-15 05:47:13 UTC https://padlet.com/truiz9/TRuizEDG6305/wish/320622788 Legal and Ethical Issue of Interest for Me - Discipline of Students With Disabilities truiz9 https://padlet.com/truiz9/TRuizEDG6305/wish/321068486 Currently in my school, there is a large population of special education students as well as 504 students with discipline issues. I chose this topic to help me better understand this process and legal issues that support it. ]]> 2019-01-16 02:35:24 UTC https://padlet.com/truiz9/TRuizEDG6305/wish/321068486 Researching Discipline of Students with Disabilities K-12 truiz9 https://padlet.com/truiz9/TRuizEDG6305/wish/321074962 2019-01-16 03:24:37 UTC https://padlet.com/truiz9/TRuizEDG6305/wish/321074962 Researching Discipline of Students with Disabilities K-12 truiz9 https://padlet.com/truiz9/TRuizEDG6305/wish/321076869

References
Walsh, J., Maniotis, L., & Kemerer, F. R. (2014). The Educator’s Guide to Texas School Law (Vol. Eighth Edition). Austin: University of Texas Press. Retrieved from https://easydb.angelo.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=nlebk&AN=814917&site=e
]]> 2019-01-16 03:41:40 UTC https://padlet.com/truiz9/TRuizEDG6305/wish/321076869 What I Learned about Discipline of Students with Disabilities K-12 truiz9 https://padlet.com/truiz9/TRuizEDG6305/wish/321078649 In review of the information pertaining to discipline of students with disabilities, my attention was sparked by the regulations schools are required to follow in this area. As a teacher, I had always wondered why students with disabilities seemed to be treated differently when it came to discipline. I did not understand the process administrators had to follow.
Students with disabilities can be offered the same discipline as students in regular education.  If a student with disabilities is suspended or put in an alternative education program, they cannot be suspended for more than 10 days.  On the 11th day, a manifestation must be scheduled. 
During a manifestation, the participants must determine whether the discipline problem is due to the student’s disability or not.  If it is not due to the disability, the discipline can proceed through regular program.  If it is due to their disability, then whatever the discipline plan is put in place, the student must receive educational services as it pertains to their Individual Education Plan (“Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act”, 2019). 
As a future principal, my knowledge of this rule will help me provide the proper support to only students with disabilities, but teachers who have identified students in their classrooms.  Also, not only will have to help teachers differentiate instruction, but offer differentiated discipline options to teachers (Walsh, Maniotis, & Kemerer, 2014).  Students with disabilities must be accountable for their actions, but they should be provided support to help manage their disability.  

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