https://padlet.com/maloneyhj/n3sobuz65ale Heather Maloney, Student EDG 6305 en-us 2018-08-18 19:25:37 UTC 2025-12-30 18:04:47 UTC hello@padlet.com maloneyhj https://padlet.com/maloneyhj/n3sobuz65ale/wish/273870629 Upon completion of my master's degree in school counseling, I intend to work in a high school setting helping students acquire positive school memories of success and acceptance.  ]]> 2018-08-18 19:29:54 UTC https://padlet.com/maloneyhj/n3sobuz65ale/wish/273870629 maloneyhj https://padlet.com/maloneyhj/n3sobuz65ale/wish/273872818 An article warns not only principals but all school staff to take caution when confiscating student's cell phones.  They fall under an "unreasonable search and seizure" umbrella of the 4th Amendment and could potentially cause major legal repercussions if not handled appropriately (Riddell, 2018, para. 21).  Frequently, issues such as bullying or even cheating in class involve the use of cell phones in school.
 ]]> 2018-08-18 20:38:58 UTC https://padlet.com/maloneyhj/n3sobuz65ale/wish/273872818 maloneyhj https://padlet.com/maloneyhj/n3sobuz65ale/wish/273873442 Fuschillo, A. (2018, August 14). The troubling student-to-counselor ratio that doesn't add up. Retrieved from https://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2018/08/14/the-troubling-student-to-counselor-ratio-that-doesnt-add.html
Hernandez, A. (2018, August 19). What could happen to DACA? Federal court cases could lead to an answer.  Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/what-will-happen-to-daca-federal-court-cases-could-lead-to-an-answer/2018/08/19/95dc35f2-9b30-11e8-843b-36e177f3081c_story.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.761ad5295e3c
Riddell, R. (2018, July 18). NPC 2018: Principals must avoid these six legal hazards. Retrieved from https://www.educationdive.com/news/npc-2018-principals-must-avoid-these-6-legal-hazards/527581/
Spakovsky, H. (2017, September 8). DACA is unconstitutional, as Obama admitted. Retrieved from https://www.heritage.org/immigration/commentary/daca-unconstitutional-obama-admitted
Stone, C. (2017, May 1). Support undocumented students. Retrieved from https://www.schoolcounselor.org/magazine/blogs/may-june-2017/support-undocumented-students
Swan, R. & Clark-Ibanez, M. (2017). Perceptions of shifting legal ground: DACA and the consciousness of undocumented students and graduates. Thomas Jefferson Law Review 39(2), 67-92.]]> 2018-08-18 20:59:06 UTC https://padlet.com/maloneyhj/n3sobuz65ale/wish/273873442 maloneyhj https://padlet.com/maloneyhj/n3sobuz65ale/wish/273917358 Evidently, the student to counselor ratio recommended by the ASCA of 250-to-1 is almost nonexistent in this country (Fuschillo, 2018).  State policymakers need to mandate schools allocate the proper amount of funds from the federal Student Support and Academic Achievement program to school counseling programs to ensure school campuses provide enough counseling support for its students.  Federal legislation needs to ensure these funds are not cut from the U.S. Department of Education's budget.  

]]> 2018-08-19 17:36:26 UTC https://padlet.com/maloneyhj/n3sobuz65ale/wish/273917358 maloneyhj https://padlet.com/maloneyhj/n3sobuz65ale/wish/273922812 I spoke with my good friend Rob Adams regarding legal and ethical issues in relation to the role of a school counselor.  Rob works as a counselor at Mamaroneck High School in New York.

Issue #1: If a counselor is called to render testimony in the case of a student, it may be considered a conflict of interest for that counselor to be assigned to counsel a sibling of that student.

Issue #2: Undocumented students ("DREAMer" kids) live in worry of ICE investigations that may send them, along with their family, back to their home country where they are unable to obtain a good education.  Counselors feel obligated to keep a special lookout for these kids and to help them and their families understand their rights and responsibilities.

Issue #3: Counselors must adhere to and understand the importance of a student's right to privacy but also when that right to privacy needs to be broken (e.g. threat of suicide).  Outside people and parties attempt to pry, at times, into other student's business.    

Issue #4: Documentation is key to the role of a school counselor and will not only protect the counselor but their students as well.  Doing this provides proof if ever needed, that certain actions were taken or at least attempted in an effort to help a student.  This may need to be provided to the courts, administration, or parents depending on the situation. Document everything!

Issue #5: Schools today follow a zero tolerance rule in relation to bullying.  Staff and students are required to say something if they see something and it is the counselor's responsibility to address any of these issues through counseling, reporting, and documenting any and all actions taken. 

(R. Adams, personal communication, August 19, 2018)]]> 2018-08-19 19:19:50 UTC https://padlet.com/maloneyhj/n3sobuz65ale/wish/273922812 maloneyhj https://padlet.com/maloneyhj/n3sobuz65ale/wish/274194267 After hearing an interesting success story from my school counselor friend regarding an undocumented student (whom he referred to as a DREAMer), I would like to dig deeper into the issues and laws surrounding this marginalized group of students.  I honestly do not know much about this topic other than Congress will not pass the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act which allows a way for illegal aliens (particularly Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals or DACA recipients) to obtain citizenship after high school graduation and keeps minor undocumented immigrants safe from deportation.  I understand the Trump administration is slowly phasing out the DACA Act (Stone, 2017).]]> 2018-08-21 01:29:54 UTC https://padlet.com/maloneyhj/n3sobuz65ale/wish/274194267 maloneyhj https://padlet.com/maloneyhj/n3sobuz65ale/wish/274699880 The topic of laws pertaining to undocumented students is important for school counselors to understand for many reasons; it helps explain their academic and social behavior; it allows counselors to get a better sense of their home life climate; and, lastly, these laws affect their work and college opportunities (Swan & Clark-Ibanez, 2017).

Clearly, there are legal issues associated with this topic due to the sheer fact these students are undocumented and, as we call them, illegal aliens. According to Swan & Clark-Ibanez (2017), the students they interviewed justified coming to the U.S. illegally by explaining it as a matter of survival, however, many students who came to the states as a child were not aware of the implications or severity of their situation until later in life.  The DACA Act's main purpose is to grant temporary legal status for some undocumented immigrants who came to this country as children.  Barrack Obama passed the act in an unconstitutional manner when he bypassed Congress to implement this program (Spakovsky, 2017).  It appears on one side, one of the biggest arguments against the DACA Act is the stress it poses on the job market for U.S. citizens (Hernandez, 2018).  Yet, breaking families apart and/or taking a child's opportunity for a good education away are strong arguments in support of DACA and important ethical issues.

The life of an undocumented high school student looks quite different than one who is an American citizen. Many of these students live in fear of deportation for themselves or other family members. The ability to earn a drivers license or land a rewarding job are privileges usually only American citizen students have. These students must take every precaution to stay out of trouble, so typical high school social behavior or attending parties are considered even more dangerous for them. Not to mention, their chance at receiving financial assistance for college is slim to none and they may additionally have to pay non-resident tuition (Swan & Clark-Ibanez (2017).  Adding insult to injury, many of their peers may look down on them or treat them in a derogatory manner.  It is imperative for school counselors to recognize the potential emotional, social, and academic issues stemming from the issues these students face to better help them cope and be successful regardless of the obstacles they may face.  On the upside, many of these undocumented students value their education and realize how fortunate they are to attend school so they do their best to succeed.]]> 2018-08-22 19:44:49 UTC https://padlet.com/maloneyhj/n3sobuz65ale/wish/274699880 maloneyhj https://padlet.com/maloneyhj/n3sobuz65ale/wish/274910883 Hernandez, A. (2018, August 19). What could happen to DACA? Federal court cases could lead to an answer.  Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/what-will-happen-to-daca-federal-court-cases-could-lead-to-an-answer/2018/08/19/95dc35f2-9b30-11e8-843b-36e177f3081c_story.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.761ad5295e3c
Spakovsky, H. (2017, September 8). DACA is unconstitutional, as Obama admitted. Retrieved from https://www.heritage.org/immigration/commentary/daca-unconstitutional-obama-admitted
Swan, R. & Clark-Ibanez, M. (2017). Perceptions of shifting legal ground: DACA and the consciousness of undocumented students and graduates. Thomas Jefferson Law Review 39(2), 67-92.

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