Activity: Prepare a report of the ethical issues that were implicitly raised during your field experience.

Description: These are ethical issues that were addressed during my field experience. Included are the strengths, weaknesses, and
ways to improve the reaction of the administrator.
Issues #1
A fourth grade parent wanted
her child tested for a learning
disability. The child did not
possess qualities of a child with
a learning disability; however,
he was slightly behind grade
level. The parent became very
pushy with the teacher about
the childs grades. She also
started to show up at school,
wanting to observe in the
classroom. She was allowed to
observe in the classroom
several times. On one instance,
the parent took out her cell
phone and began to record
what was taking place in the
classroom. The teacher notified
the administrator. The parent
was asked to leave, in which
she became very hostile with
the administrator, and in turn

Strengths
The administrator had a
meeting with the teacher,
parent, and student. They
discussed the students progress
in class, and the teacher shared
a variety of graded
assignments. The parent
continued to push for testing;
therefore the administrator set
up a meeting with the special
education department. They
came to the conclusion that, to
please the mother, they would
test the student. The tests
showed that the student had no
learning disability. The parent
continued to push that there
was an issue with his learning
in this teachers classroom and
wanted him removed. The
administrator denied this
request. After the parent went

Weaknesses
During certain conversations
with the parent, the
administrator would become
very aggravated as well. She
would tend to argue with the
parent, instead of explain to her
that these are the rules, and this
is what is going to happen. She
would also speak upon
questions that she was unsure
of the facts at that given time.
There were certain instances
where the administrator did not
maintain professionalism.

Ways to Improve
The administrator should refer
to her code of ethics. She
should remember to remain
professional at all times. As an
administrator, she should set
the expectations for parents,
such as this, and explain that
neither she, nor her teachers,
will argue with a parent. The
administrator should also speak
only on facts that can be proven
and respectfully defer some
questions until she can obtain
the facts. It is important that the
parent feels like her requests
are heard and understood, but
at no point should the
administrator and parent
engage in argument. The
administrator should call her
director and make her aware of
the situation. She should even

went to the school board. The

parent was eventually banned
from the building.

to the school board, the director

became involved. Throughout
the process, the administrator
was very supportive of the
teacher, and even the student.

Issue #2
During interview with a former
elementary principal, and
ethical dilemma was shared. A
teacher discussed with this
administrator that a student told
her that his stepmother was
doing drugs. The teacher,
knowing the background of the
student, was unsure of what to
do. This administrator told her
to call and report the situation.

Strengths
The administrator immediately
told the teacher to report the
situation, no matter what the
previous background or
personality of the student.
Shortly after the report, the
parent came into the building
concerned because another one
of her children told her that this
child told the teacher she did
drugs. The administrator had
the parent step into the office,
and explain her side of the
story. After investigating,
talking with the parent, and

invite her to a meeting with the

parent and teacher so that the
director is also able to
understand the situation. The
administrator should make it
very clear to the parent that if
she feels she needs an argument
and cannot respect the
expectations of the school, she
will be asked to leave.
Weaknesses
The administrator stated that
the teacher felt comfortable
reporting it, so she called.
However, this administrator did
not go in and observe as she
made the phone call.

Ways to Improve
The administrator could have
observed during the reporting
phone conversation. Overall,
this was a right vs. right
decision because the
administrator must have the
teacher report the issue, no
matter what. However, it also
seemed to be right that the
administrator listened to the
parents side of the story, and
ultimately found out that the
student was not telling the
truth.

Issue #3
Readmission conference for a
high school student who was
suspended for a fight on the
school bus. During the
conference, there was a
struggle with determining the
students continuation of
school.

DCS doing a home visit, the

administrator found out that, in
fact, the student was lying.
Strengths
All administrators involved
tried to make the student, and
his family, understand that
because of his current
suspension, and previous
suspensions, he would not be
able to finish high school
before his graduation date.
They gave him other options
for completion/graduation.

Weaknesses
Prior to the student entering the
conference, the administrators
discussed the options for the
student. The administrators
talked about his previous
records, and discussed the fact
that they didnt think he
would ever complete high
school. The administrators did
not seem very positive about
the students options. The
student took this conversation
as the administrators telling
him to drop out. The
conversation then became very
negative from the student and
his family.

Ways to Improve
Even though the administrators
did not seem positive about the
students options, the adult high
school administrator did give
the student ideas of ways that
he could complete his high
school credits. Instead of
allowing the conversation to
become negative, the
administrators could have
regained control of the
conference, stating that these
are the positive options for the
student, expressing the
thoughts that if he stayed
focused and determined, he
would complete high school.
Although, this was a difficult
situation, and the
administrators could probably
predict the outcome, they
needed to make the student feel
comfortable and confident in

Issue #4
Teacher attendance ratesWhile having the privilege of
working at two schools, I have
also been able to observe how
two very different principals
deal with teacher attendance.
Teachers are allowed 10 sick
days, and 3 personal days each
year. Principal A was very
tough on teachers and expected
them to be there, no matter
what. Principal B understood
that life happens and did not
confront teachers about
attendance issues.

Strengths
Principal A ran a tight ship
and expected teachers to be at
work everyday, in order to
teach students, and prepare
them for end of the year
achievement tests. Teachers
knew what were expected of
them at all times.
Principal B was very easy to
talk to and understands that
there are times when a teacher
must take off due to illness,
family emergencies, etc. This
principal also expected teachers
to be there to do the job
effectively, but did not
reprimand teachers for
attendance rates.

Weaknesses
It was very difficult to talk to
Principal A about
personal/family issues that
required time off. Teachers felt
as though he/she could not take
time off for illness, family
emergencies, etc. This
principal would also begin
conferences with teachers after
his/her third absence.
Principal B expressed that
teachers are given absences in
order to take it if it is needed.
However, this principal doesnt
reprimand teachers for abusing
the policy.

his decision.
Ways to Improve
Principal A should continue to
set expectations for the
teachers. However, the
administrator must understand
that family emergencies,
illnesses, etc. do come up.
Therefore, there needs to be a
policy or expectation in place
for this understanding. The
administrator can still have the
expectation that teachers will
not abuse the policy, but also be
more understanding.
Principal B needs to create
higher expectations for the
teachers during beginning of
the school year meetings. This
administrator should express
these expectations early, so that
all teachers understand.
Teachers who abuse the
attendance policy should also
be spoken with, immediately
after recognizing the abuse.