Human Trafficking of Texas Students by Donna Short https://padlet.com/dshort21/pjfx0fhsc65b Donna Short - EDG 6305 en-us 2019-01-13 19:47:31 UTC 2020-05-01 13:58:36 UTC hello@padlet.com My Professional Perspective dshort21 https://padlet.com/dshort21/pjfx0fhsc65b/wish/320087774 Upon completion of my Masters of Education in School Guidance and Counseling, my goal is to work as a school counselor. Ultimately, I see myself working as an Elementary or Junior High School Counselor. ]]> 2019-01-13 19:51:31 UTC https://padlet.com/dshort21/pjfx0fhsc65b/wish/320087774 Exploration Option 1 - Issues According to a Current School Counselor dshort21 https://padlet.com/dshort21/pjfx0fhsc65b/wish/320088488 I interviewed Ms. Chelsea Bohannon, who is a counselor at Frenship Middle School.

1. The main legal requirements and/or compliance issues she deals with on a daily or weekly basis centers around reporting child abuse/neglect, confidentiality of information she receives from a student, staff member or parent, and contacting parents or guardians if their child is showing signs of self-harm, suicidal ideation or if the child is homicidal. 

2. The most recent policy updates within the last year is the suicide protocol. The district now has paperwork to go through with the student and parent to provide the best possible assistance.

3. One avenue to handle bullying is on the district website. Parents can complete forms and the district has 10 days to investigate. Many times, these issues are resolved between the principal and parents.

4. As a counselor, student confidentiality is a right. The only time a counselor is required to contact parents or guardians: 1. if a student is hurting or planning to hurt themselves. 2. If the student is planning to hurt someone else. 3. If someone is hurting that student (child abuse).]]> 2019-01-13 19:58:14 UTC https://padlet.com/dshort21/pjfx0fhsc65b/wish/320088488 Exploration Option 2 - Texas Education Association (TEA) dshort21 https://padlet.com/dshort21/pjfx0fhsc65b/wish/320590784      The TEA website has information which pertains to all aspects of education in Texas. Not only does it provide information on things such as teacher certification and student assessment, but it also has guidelines on human trafficking and child abuse.
Additionally, the website provides information, tool kits and guidelines for safe schools within the state of Texas. There are examples provided and links connecting the Texas Education Code and laws with these as well.


]]> 2019-01-15 01:36:50 UTC https://padlet.com/dshort21/pjfx0fhsc65b/wish/320590784 Exploration Option 2 - National Education Association (NEA) dshort21 https://padlet.com/dshort21/pjfx0fhsc65b/wish/320595442      The National Education Association's website is filled with a plethora of information. There is a great deal of information in regards to human trafficking. Many human trafficking victims are found in schools. Within the website is information, campaigns, and training for schools in regards to human trafficking. 
     In addition, I found information which addresses state and national mandates for schools to help them address issues of bullying and school safety. Again, there are free trainings and tool kits available for schools to use. 


]]> 2019-01-15 02:06:04 UTC https://padlet.com/dshort21/pjfx0fhsc65b/wish/320595442 Step 3 - Topic Selected and Why dshort21 https://padlet.com/dshort21/pjfx0fhsc65b/wish/321522225      I am most interested is trauma and its impact on students. In fact, I am highly interested in the trauma-informed classroom. However, trauma is a broad topic which encompasses issues ranging from abuse and disaster to divorce. That being said, I decided to narrow the focus down to the legal requirements for schools in regards to human trafficking. 
The number of victims being trafficked per day according to the Attorney General's office is 79,000 (Paxton, 2019). Human trafficking is moving within our schools, it is now apparent teachers must recognize signs in order to help these children.]]> 2019-01-17 02:23:41 UTC https://padlet.com/dshort21/pjfx0fhsc65b/wish/321522225 Web Research - Texas School Safety Center (TxSSC) dshort21 https://padlet.com/dshort21/pjfx0fhsc65b/wish/322298495      As I researched human trafficking specifically related to students in Texas, I located the Texas School Safety Center (TxSSC). "The TxSSC serves as a clearinghouse for the dissemination of safety and security information through research, training, and technical assistance for K-12 schools and junior colleges throughout the state of Texas"(Texas School Safety Center, 2019).
     TxSSC provides resources and training for districts throughout the state of Texas. Human trafficking is no longer considered something that happens in dark alleys or dirty motels, but has moved onto Texas school campuses.

]]> 2019-01-18 19:57:18 UTC https://padlet.com/dshort21/pjfx0fhsc65b/wish/322298495 Web Research - Academic Article dshort21 https://padlet.com/dshort21/pjfx0fhsc65b/wish/322433902 Those who have been a victim of human trafficking and survived have endured horrifying physical and emotional abuse, and trauma. Once rescued, what are their long term needs? What type of services are available for them? Ultimately, the goal, as educators, what can educators do to recognize the signs and prevent students from becoming a victim?]]> 2019-01-19 22:16:00 UTC https://padlet.com/dshort21/pjfx0fhsc65b/wish/322433902 Step 5 - What I Have Learned Thus Far dshort21 https://padlet.com/dshort21/pjfx0fhsc65b/wish/322434224      Human trafficking is no longer an unknown term. According to the Attorney General's office, over 79,000 are being trafficked per day in Texas. With the continual use of social media platforms, students may be involved in trafficking and in school attendance. This has become such a burden that tasks forces have been set up by the governor's office to try to counter the increase in human trafficking. As educators, it is our ethical responsibility to learn the signs and help identify students in order to save or even rescue them from this type of situation. In addition, human trafficking falls under child abuse in which teachers to take action upon suspect. There are programs, tool kits, downloads and multiple resources available to equip educators to recognize and handle these situations. 
     Examples are not hard to find. One comes from Irving, Texas, where a teenager was charged with human trafficking and prostitution after police discovered that he had drugged a fellow classmate, and held her for three days while he sold her to several men for money and drugs in exchange for sex. (Whitley, 2013) Again,  when students are absent multiple days, what are our responsibilities? If we suspect something else going on, what do we do?  We are advocates. Now is the time to do just that.

Whitley, J. (2013). Irving Student arrested on Human Trafficking Charge. ABC News. Retrieved from http://www.wfaa.com/news/local/dallas/Irving-student-arrested-on-human-trafficking-charge-207445901.html.]]> 2019-01-19 22:23:34 UTC https://padlet.com/dshort21/pjfx0fhsc65b/wish/322434224 References dshort21 https://padlet.com/dshort21/pjfx0fhsc65b/wish/322443776 Busch-Armendariz, Noel B.; Nsonwu, Maura B.; and Cook Heffron, Laurie (2011) "Human Trafficking Victims and Their Children:
Assessing Needs, Vulnerabilities, Strengths, and Survivorship," Journal of Applied Research on Children: Informing Policy for Children at
Risk: Vol. 2: Iss. 1, Article 3.
Available at: http://digitalcommons.library.tmc.edu/childrenatrisk/vol2/iss1/3

National Education Association.  (2019). Learn more about the human trafficking issue and get involved.
Retrieved from:
http://www.nea.org/home/72043.htm

Texas Education Association. (2019).
Human trafficking of school-aged children. Retrieved from:
https://tea.texas.gov/About_TEA/Other_Services/Human_Trafficking_of_School-aged_Children/

Texas School Safety Center. (2019). 
     Recognizing the signs of human
     trafficking in schools. Retrieved  
     from: https://txssc.txstate.edu/topics/scho  ol-violence/articles/recognizing- human-trafficking

     Whitley, J. (2013). Irving Student    arrested on Human Trafficking Charge. ABC News. Retrieved from http://www.wfaa.com/news/local/dallas/Irving-student-arrested-on-human-trafficking-charge-207445901.html.
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