WALTER J. SULLIVAN, PH.D.ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR & DIRECTOR OF THE

EDUCATION CENTERCOLLEGE OF NEW ROCHELLE

WSULLIVAN@CNR.EDU

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Major Legal, Ethical, Educational, and

Psychological ChallengesFacing Schools

& Guidance ProgramsOctober 18, 2010

The Teacher/Counselor as Model

Key Ideas3

Whole child & whole school approaches (wholechild@ascd.org)

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)

“It takes a village to raise a child and a bridge to reach the village.”

“Behind every behavior problem is a story to be

told and a heart to be healed.”