https://padlet.com/katherine_pearce/dnz2rym4noiw Katherine Pearce: EDG 6305 Ethical & Legal Principles en-us 2018-06-09 16:46:39 UTC 2018-06-11 19:17:26 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/icons/Manbag.png katherine_pearce https://padlet.com/katherine_pearce/dnz2rym4noiw/wish/266421780 Upon completion of my Educational Administration Master's Degree, in December 2018, I plan to continue my role as Intermediate Instructional Specialist for grades 3rd-6th at Grape Creek ISD. Eventually, I may deem to pursue the role of principal or assistant principal, for a small district, to further my educational experiences.]]> 2018-06-09 17:07:45 UTC https://padlet.com/katherine_pearce/dnz2rym4noiw/wish/266421780 katherine_pearce https://padlet.com/katherine_pearce/dnz2rym4noiw/wish/266422076 I spoke with Mindy Goodnight, who is currently the Curriculum Instructional Coach for Fort Concho Elementary in San Angelo, Texas.  She described her role as the liaison between administrators and teachers. A role in which trust is the foundation of all her working relationships. It is a role I will be channeling and mimicking starting this new school year. 

I chose to interview her, as her role, aligns with my new role, chosen for me by my current district as Intermediate Instructional Supervisor.  While it is not labeled as administrative, it does require administrative insight, and align with the Ethical & Legal practices all administrators must abide by.

Ethical & Legal Issue #1:  As an Instructional Coach, Mrs. Goodnight must meet with teachers daily, and both observe and report to administrators, that all teachers are abiding (or not) both the Ethical and Legal practices they are obliged to portray and follow.

Ethical & Legal Issue #2:  Additionally, Mrs. Goodnight works closely with all Special Education teachers.  If she felt a student's IEP, BIP, etc. was not being followed, she would have to report this issue to her supervisor(s).  

Ethical & Legal Issue #3:  Because Mrs. Goodnight works parallel with administrators and teachers, she must complete all compliance trainings required by the district, as well as CPI (Crisis Prevention Institute) training. These compliance and CPI trainings all correlate with Ethical & Legal practices Mrs. Goodnight must reference, practice, and uphold as an Instructional Coach on her campus.

Ethical & Legal Issue #4:  Mrs. Goodnight must meet with all teachers to collaborate often regarding curriculum and best instructional practices for the betterment of both the students and school. This collaboration requires a strong foundation of trust between the teachers, administrators, and Mrs. Goodnight.  She has to decide what she is legally and ethically required to report to her administrators and what she should withhold in keeping with the teachers' confidences shared during collaborative meets.  

Ethical & Legal Issue #5:  Mrs Goodnight is required to collaborate in person, via email, etc. with administrators and teachers, therefore she must use both oral and written language in a professional/ethical manner.  She is also obligated to ensure that individuals who are not abiding by these ethical oral and written communications be redirected and addressed using correct ethical and legal manners herself.  

(G. Mindy, personal communication, June 8, 2018)]]> 2018-06-09 17:13:58 UTC https://padlet.com/katherine_pearce/dnz2rym4noiw/wish/266422076 katherine_pearce https://padlet.com/katherine_pearce/dnz2rym4noiw/wish/266423961 While investigating the ASCD website, I came across an event link, specifically, a link to a Leadership Institute for Legislative Advocacy that was held this past January in Washington, D.C.  The event link identified the legislative issues, identified as primary concerns, up to be discussed at this conference.  These three areas were: resource equity, professional development, and whole child, whole school, whole community.  The event link includes a separate pdf file with further descriptions for each of the three aforementioned areas.]]> 2018-06-09 17:54:46 UTC https://padlet.com/katherine_pearce/dnz2rym4noiw/wish/266423961 katherine_pearce https://padlet.com/katherine_pearce/dnz2rym4noiw/wish/266425827 I have been a member of ATPE since my student teacher role in 2003.  ATPE is a great source of information for educators regarding frequently asked questions and answers centered around the ideals of protection, legal benefits, resources, advocacy, and current legislation affecting today's Texas educational professionals.  The legislative news link, located on the homepage, takes you to a sister site that includes current issues in education, ways you can become an advocate, links to several articles relating to the current week's legislative news, and minutes from the latest Texas Commission on Public School Finance meeting.  ]]> 2018-06-09 18:38:21 UTC https://padlet.com/katherine_pearce/dnz2rym4noiw/wish/266425827 katherine_pearce https://padlet.com/katherine_pearce/dnz2rym4noiw/wish/266426932 Upon searching for articles relating to Educational Resource Equity, I came across a study, by Bruce D. Baker, focused on Weighted Student Funding (WSF) within the states of Texas and Ohio. ]]> 2018-06-09 19:08:31 UTC https://padlet.com/katherine_pearce/dnz2rym4noiw/wish/266426932 katherine_pearce https://padlet.com/katherine_pearce/dnz2rym4noiw/wish/266427148 Using Google as my search engine and the key words: Current Legislative Texas Educational Issues, I came across the Statesman website, which lists numerous links to current legislative trials Texas educators are facing today. Some of the foremost legislative concerns revolve around school safety (due to the recent Santa Fe shooting), reprieve for students affected by STAAR testing glitches, allocation of federal funds for Texas schools affected by Hurricane Harvey, etc. ]]> 2018-06-09 19:14:46 UTC https://padlet.com/katherine_pearce/dnz2rym4noiw/wish/266427148 katherine_pearce https://padlet.com/katherine_pearce/dnz2rym4noiw/wish/266427636 Why is this topic important to educators?   What legal or ethical issues are mentioned related to this topic? 

Texas educators need to be aware of the current legislative issues facing their districts, communities, schools, etc. today. For example, educators and administrators in Texas who were aware of Hurricane Harvey and school districts affected, would not be surprised to find an influx of enrolling students within their own neighboring districts. Furthermore, the educators and administrators would be aware and ready to assist/meet with the financial, emotional, and educational needs of these affected enrolling families and students. Secondly, administrators who were aware of current legislative issues, such as the glitches affecting STAAR tested students and their reprieve from testing requirements, would have statements and the most up-to-date information prepared to share with community members, parents, and students.

What scenarios or situations in your future work relate to this topic and legal issues? 

As an Intermediate Instructional Supervisor, I would need to keep abreast of STAAR testing regulations, modifications, requirements, passing rates, etc. to keep my teachers informed, updated, and prepared for their roles regarding their students' successes.  When we are all aware of STAAR requirements and responsibilities, we can create lessons to meet the rigor and expectations these STAAR tests require.  Lastly, we can accurately answer student and parental questions, concerns, etc. using available current Texas legislative websites and resources.]]> 2018-06-09 19:26:00 UTC https://padlet.com/katherine_pearce/dnz2rym4noiw/wish/266427636 katherine_pearce https://padlet.com/katherine_pearce/dnz2rym4noiw/wish/266428589 The professional websites I chose to delve into and investigate both revolved around current Texas Legislative Concerns facing Texas educators today, specifically naming one specific primary concern:  Resources Equity. I am choosing keeping abreast of current legislative concerns, as educators who are aware of issues affecting Texas educators, schools, and communities can be better prepared to address them when relating issues or events appear within their specific campuses. I specifically chose, resources equity, as I have taught in a Title I school for 15 years, and was curious to see how resources were allocated and used.]]> 2018-06-09 19:48:10 UTC https://padlet.com/katherine_pearce/dnz2rym4noiw/wish/266428589 katherine_pearce https://padlet.com/katherine_pearce/dnz2rym4noiw/wish/266429010 Baker, B. D. (2009). Within-district resource allocation and the marginal costs of providing equal educational opportunity: Evidence from texas and ohio. Educational Policy Analysis Archives (APAA), 17(3), 1-31. Retrieved June 9, 2018, from https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ835083.pdf.]]> 2018-06-09 19:59:29 UTC https://padlet.com/katherine_pearce/dnz2rym4noiw/wish/266429010