•By ensuring I am completing the appropriate documentation and consultation, I understand how to protect both my students and myself.

•The knowledge I have gained wll strengthen my professional identity as a school counselor and will assist me in achieving long-term counseling goals.

•Always inform students of the limits of confidentiality at the beginning of any counseling session.

•Prioritize student safety above confidentiality when necessary.

•Stay updated with district policies and state law.

•Maintain detailed and secure documentation of sessions.

•Appropriately involve parents following FERPA and school policy.

•Always ethical decision-making models in challenging scenarios.

•Collaborate with school administrators when legal concerns arise.

•In high-risk cases, school counselors should consult with legal/clinical supervision.

•Annually review and update counseling practices.

I also learned how federal agencies focus on more broad privacy and educational access while the state agencies are more specific in terms of licensure and conduct.

(Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, 1974)

•Section 39.030 of the Texas Education Code states the TEA must ensure the confidentiality of individual student assessment results.

•Results from the assessment are to be reported tothe students, parents, and educators maintaining the privacy of individual student data.

•The goal is to improve student achievement by implementing interventions, if needed, to meet state education standards.

(Texas Education Code, 2024)

State Law: Tex. Educ. Code § 33.005

Local Policy: SAISD School Counseling Department

Overview:

•SAISD counselors are dedicated to maintaining the confidentiality of student information to ensure personal disclosures are protected and align with FERPA and ethical guidelines as well as adhering to the American School Counselor Association standards.

•An exception to this policy would occur in specific situations where the student poses a danger to themselves or others, there is suspected child abuse or neglect, or if there are court orders or legal requirements.

•Counselors may involve parents or guardians when it is in the best interest of the student, especially in situations that require additional support.

•20 U.S.C. § 1400 et seq.

Summary:

•Requires confidentiality in handling information for students with disabilities.

•Informs counselors' collaboration in IEP meetings and record keeping.

•Violations could lead to loss of funding or even legal consequences.

•20 U.S.C. § 1232g

Key Points:

• Protects education records of students

• Parents and eligible students have access to records.

• Written consent is required for disclosure with few exceptions.

•Document all student interactions that involve sensitive information/disclosures (Stone, 2022).

•Consult with legal representatives or supervisors when in doubt about confidentiality breaches (ASCA, 2022).

•Stay updated on trainings related to FERPA regulations, mandated reporting, and district policies.

Stone, C. (2022). School administrators and school counselors' legal and ethical alliance. Sage Journals. https://doi.org/10.1177/2156759X221134668

•definitions and principles related to mandated treatment in the least restrictive setting.

•outlines procedures for admissions and referrals.

•explains the tirghts of individuals who are receiving mental health services.

•allows mental health professionals, including school counselors, to withhold a minor's counseling records from a parent if it is determined that this would be harmful to the student's emotional, mental, or physical health.

(Texas Health and Safety Code, 2023)