https://padlet.com/bhead2/iwixv6mgu9q5 Brandon T. Head EDG 6305 Legal & Ethical Principals en-us 2018-08-26 19:16:33 UTC 2024-07-15 08:27:11 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/icons/Balance.png bhead2 https://padlet.com/bhead2/iwixv6mgu9q5/wish/275389738 Upon completion of the graduate program that I am currently enrolled in through Angelo State University, I will obtain a Master's Degree in Educational Administration. I am also pursuing a Texas Principal Certificate to be employed as an assistant high school principal. ]]> 2018-08-26 19:29:56 UTC https://padlet.com/bhead2/iwixv6mgu9q5/wish/275389738 bhead2 https://padlet.com/bhead2/iwixv6mgu9q5/wish/275393585 Having taught multiple subjects alongside Special Education, I plan on becoming the assistant principal that oversees the Special Education Department. I have worked at several campuses where Special Education procedures are thoroughly implemented and others where they are often overlooked and/or not prioritized. ]]> 2018-08-26 20:34:48 UTC https://padlet.com/bhead2/iwixv6mgu9q5/wish/275393585 bhead2 https://padlet.com/bhead2/iwixv6mgu9q5/wish/275393597 I sat down with my former evaluating principal to discuss legal and ethical issues he has encountered during his time as an administrator. For the sake of anonymity, pseudonyms are used in place of the administrator's name as well as the name of the school. Travis Roy has been an assistant principal at South Side High School for five years. He is also the principal in charge of overseeing the Special Education Department.

#1. District-wide Special Education training for educators is inconsistent for individual campuses. Mandating professional development on Special Education requirements for all educators at every level could improve a district-wide initiative. 

#2. Case management is often left to few individual educators. Each campus has several certified Special Education teachers, though only a few of them are tasked with maintaining case management lists. 

#3. Disciplinary action for students with disabilities need to be prioritized based on student needs. Many educators become frustrated when a student with disabilities is not met with the same level of disciplinary action as general education students. This can lead to a drop in teacher morale by leaving them feeling unsupported by the administration.


#4. Each student's present level of academic achievement and functional performance (PLAAFP) must be consistent to proposed student goals in the educational setting. Each student goal must be addressed with data-driven evidence collected from both the General Education teacher and the Special Education teacher to ensure that specific needs are being met. 

#5. Collaboration between General Education teachers and Special Education teachers is imperative for successful implementation of Special Education requirements/procedures.

(T. Roy, personal communication, August 21, 2018)]]> 2018-08-26 20:35:13 UTC https://padlet.com/bhead2/iwixv6mgu9q5/wish/275393597 bhead2 https://padlet.com/bhead2/iwixv6mgu9q5/wish/275393653 Special Education is often seen in Texas headlines due to the lack of priority that is placed on testing, evaluation, and implementation of services. The Associated Press (2018) explores a proposed plan that the state of Texas has decided to address. ]]> 2018-08-26 20:36:11 UTC https://padlet.com/bhead2/iwixv6mgu9q5/wish/275393653 bhead2 https://padlet.com/bhead2/iwixv6mgu9q5/wish/275393728 2018-08-26 20:37:30 UTC https://padlet.com/bhead2/iwixv6mgu9q5/wish/275393728 bhead2 https://padlet.com/bhead2/iwixv6mgu9q5/wish/275393734 Discipline involving students with Special Education needs can be counterproductive when it comes to suspension. An exploration on time spent away from school in relation to individual needs addresses the need for changes in disciplinary procedures. (Patterson, 2018).]]> 2018-08-26 20:37:43 UTC https://padlet.com/bhead2/iwixv6mgu9q5/wish/275393734 bhead2 https://padlet.com/bhead2/iwixv6mgu9q5/wish/275393746 2018-08-26 20:37:58 UTC https://padlet.com/bhead2/iwixv6mgu9q5/wish/275393746 bhead2 https://padlet.com/bhead2/iwixv6mgu9q5/wish/275393756 The Associated Press. (May 1, 2018). Texas unveils special education fix after denying services for years. Education weekly, 37(29), 5. Retrieved from https://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2018/05/02/texas-unveils-special-education-fix-after-denying.html

Patterson, J. (May 9, 2018). Students with disabilities miss 'opportunities to learn' when suspended. Education dive. Retrieved from https://www.educationdive.com/news/students-with-disabilities-miss-opportunities-to-learn-when-suspended/523156/

Roberts, M., & Guerra Jr., F. (2017). Principals' perceptions of their knowledge in special education. Current issues in education, 20(1), 1-17. Retrieved from http://eds.b.ebscohost.com.easydb.angelo.edu/eds/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=4&sid=6962e2c9-20ac-4716-8b40-c9c29d980566%40pdc-v-sessmgr04

Texas Education Agency. (2018). Improving special education in Texas. Retrieved from https://tea.texas.gov/TexasSPED/


]]> 2018-08-26 20:38:08 UTC https://padlet.com/bhead2/iwixv6mgu9q5/wish/275393756 bhead2 https://padlet.com/bhead2/iwixv6mgu9q5/wish/275401540 Administrators are tasked with many objectives throughout their daily activities. Special Education implementation is one that can be overlooked primarily due to a lack of understanding the laws themselves (T. Roy, personal communication, August 21, 2018). It was interesting finding an article produce by Roberts and Guerra (2017) that explores the overall knowledge administrators have dealing with Special Education procedures. Many educators that enter administrative roles may have little to no Special Education experience inn the classroom, therefore improved training procedures may be needed to ensure that educator are in compliance with state mandated laws.

It was interesting to learn during my conversation with Mr. Roy (2018) about three areas that educators are held liable in a court of law. The first being corporal punishment, which was not very surprising. The second being responsibilities relating to driving a bus, which was required when I was coaching. The third being following student Individualized Education Plan (IEP) specifications. IEP procedures fall under Special Education requirements mandated by the Texas Education Agency (2018). As an aspiring administrator, helping students as well as educators succeed is a primary goal. Better understanding Special Education laws will benefit both students and educators.]]> 2018-08-26 22:35:05 UTC https://padlet.com/bhead2/iwixv6mgu9q5/wish/275401540