walter j. sullivan, ph.d. associate professor & director of the education center college of new...
TRANSCRIPT
WALTER J. SULLIVAN, PH.D.ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR & DIRECTOR OF THE
EDUCATION CENTERCOLLEGE OF NEW ROCHELLE
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Major Legal, Ethical, Educational, and
Psychological ChallengesFacing Schools
& Guidance ProgramsOctober 18, 2010
Key Ideas3
Whole child & whole school approaches ([email protected])
Teaching & Counseling as a RELATIONSHIP
Ethical Behavior in Schools and Counseling
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Individual values and impact on moral decision-making
Ethical decisions at the building levelEthical decisions at the district levelEthics and building a community
Emotional & Ethical Challenges5
Paradox of our timesTransitions are “BIG”Lost boys-James GarbarinoConsequences of perfection and competitionCornucopia Kids (Baldwin)Dealing with death, dying & bereavementSelf-image is the pivotal conceptBullying (Be cool not cruel)Peer pressure & cultural pressure
Challenges Continued…6
Equity of resources & educational opportunities; achievement gaps and some solutions
Identification of learning difficulties & IEPs“Test Prep” mentality & NCLB and ‘Race to
the Top’ mandates →Teacher and counselor evaluations using standardized tests (40%)
Poor quality teaching as a result of student & parent complaints: what do you do?
Explosion of the impact of brain research on teaching and learning; Thinking Maps
Possible Ethical Solutions to these Challenges7
Building Community-culture of caringPower of Modeling (Bandura) (Sizer)Possibility Thinking (Schuler)Character Education & Attitude (Licona-
www.charactercounts.com)Resiliency & building of assetsMoral & spiritual leadership (Tolman)Find ‘significant others’ for isolated studentsLOVE: give and receive (Kapel)
Possible Solutions cont…8
‘In praise of judicious praise’Students need a personal victory
every day. (We all do!!)-Support! Support!
Professional Staff Development: Differentiation of Instruction, 21st Century Skills, modeling, and awareness of the school and classroom climate.
Schools, Ethics and the Law
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Parent’s right to know & counselor’s roleZero tolerance policies-problematicFEPRA: a matter of disciplineStudent files: disciplinary vs. personalStudent’s rights & responsibilities: due
process “in loco parentis”School’s code of discipline & the Athletic
Code of ConductFree speech: are there limits? (Tinker Case)
Schools and the Law cont…10
Reasonable search of students & lockers
Sexual harassment: ‘hostile environment’ & ‘quid pro quo’
Prayer groups in public schools –equal access
Dress: cannot be distracting to the educational process
Safety & Violence in Schools
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Clear emergency plansThreat assessments (Secret Service)School resource officerABC’s of school safety: awareness, balance,
& controlDealing with crisis
(www.emsc.nysed.gov/sss?Save?)Early warnings & timely response
(www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/gtss.htm)