Educational Law, Policy and Ethics

Catalog description

This course is a survey of the ethical, legal, and professional issues facing the school counselor. School counselors function in an environment regulated by state and federal laws, course decisions, certification and school board rules. Using case scenarios, students will explore and demystify some of the legal complexities of counseling minors in schools by resolving these cases through the application of the ASCA and ACA codes of ethic, federal law, case law, state statues, community standards and school board rules. Counselors will increase their understanding and applications of laws and the ASCA and ACA codes of ethics and standards of practice to situations that have occurred in the context of school, and further the protection of the students, parents, and the counselor. Professional issues such as staff development, professional organization, and advocacy for the profession will also be examined.