Ethical Decision-Making in Schools Worksheet

You have received reports that the art teacher has been taking art tools home every weekend, and bringing them back the following week. Upon looking at the security footage, it does appear that these allegations are accurate. When the leader asks Ms. Art about these tools, Ms Art confirms she is taking them home to work on a piece of art at home. Which is the leader’s most appropriate response?

• Allow the teacher to bring the piece of art to school and work on it there.

• Ensure the teacher checks out the tools before leaving each weekend.

• Explain that borrowing tools for personal use violates policy.

• Place an official note of unethical behavior in the teacher’s record.

Answer explanation

Supplies and resources purchased for instructional purposes are meant to be used for that reason. This question tests your understanding of appropriate responses to potential ethical violations of school property. It is best to be clear about policy and address the issue with professionalism.

Employee Conduct 4-2 (VBCPS)

Employees use School Board resources, including School Division funds, time, property, and technology for authorized purposes only

College board reached out to get directory information about a group of students at your school. How should a leader respond to this request?

• Disclose information for those 18 and older.

• Check to see if there is a signed request not to share information.

• Get consent from the students and parents before sharing the information.

• Share the information since it is directory information only.

Answer explanation

FERPA protects the privacy of students. Schools can disclose "directory" information such as names/numbers/dates/awards (think information that would be useful to colleges or the yearbook), but parents have the right to deny distribution of this information. Always verify opt-out status before sharing any student information with outside sources.

SLLA 6990 Test Prep Study Guide & Practice Test, K. Jasper

Ms. Inocencia has a social media account and has many students as friends. Parents and colleagues have brought this social media account to your attention with concerns of the appropriateness of this account. What is the best initial response of the school leader?

• Call Ms. Inocencia into the office and write a letter of reprimand for inappropriate behavior.

• Review the social media account to ensure it is student and age appropriate.

• Explain to parents that a teacher’s personal account is not a school matter.

• Meet with Ms. Inocencia to discuss whether the social media account conforms to district policies on student-teacher relationships.

Answer explanation

School personnel must lead by example be role models for the students in the school devisions. If the social media account is for educational purposes only (i.e. academy media page) it adheres to policy. With a concern from a parent, the administrator will need to ensure the social media account follows policy, and if not will need to report the inappropriate use of social media with students.

When addressing concerns, leaders should always gather information and then have a professional conversation with the teacher. This balances respect for the teacher's autonomy while also protecting students.

Employee Conduct 4-2 - VBCPS - Employee/Student Relations

1. Employees may use electronic communications with students for legitimate purposes connected to school programs or services, including participation in athletics and extracurricular activities. Any employee initiated communications must be directly related to a school program or activity;

2. Employees are to communicate with students only for official purposes and not engage in communication of a personal nature. Employees should not provide students with access or invitations to their own personal social media sites; nor should employees access the personal social media sites of students;

A school principal receives a call from a parent saying her child was upset because her Spanish teacher seemed annoyed by her child’s question and dismissed it because she had “already given those instructions” What is the most appropriate next step in this situation?

• Meet with the teacher to get their understanding of the situation and document those details.

• Have a staff professional development to discuss appropriate communication.

• In a staff meeting, announce that the use of dismissive or sarcastic language will not be tolerated.

• Show up to the world language department meeting and emphasize the importance of ethical communication in the classroom.

Answer explanation

This question is not asking for a solution to the problem, but rather the next step. As a leader it is crucial to obtain and analyze specifics from all sides of the situation. This allows you to make a decision for a specific teacher.

The other answers include a group of teachers, but the issue is with one teacher.

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Which of the following actions is the best way school leaders can ensure faculty, staff, and students act in an ethical manner? Select all that apply

• Clearly communicate high expectations for ethical behavior

• Demonstrate ethical behavior by maintaining self-control and treating others with respect.

• Proactively prevent unethical behavor from occurring.

• Showcase punitive actions for staff and students who exhibit unethical behavior.

Answer explanation

A, B, C all promote ethical behavior wherease D is punitive. Public shaming is not best practice in effective leadership.

SLLA 6990 Test Prep Study Guide & Practice Test, K. Jasper

A parent sets up a meeting with the school leader to share their grievances about one of their child's teachers. They state the teacher is not qualified to teach their content area because assessments are filled with errors and the teacher does not provide sufficient warning or guidance to prepare students appropriately for the assessments. What is the most appropriate course of action for the leader?

• Defend the teacher and dismiss the accusation as inappropriate.

• Privately discuss the incident with the teacher.

• Investigate the allegations and put the teacher on an action plan.

• Acknowledge the concern, commit a investigation, and maintain confidentiality

Answer explanation

This situation is not calling for an answer, but an appropriate course of action. It is important to provide due process to all involved. Acknowledging the concern builds confidence between the parent and administrator; however, it is important to investigate the validity because if there is an issue with instruction, it needs to be addressed.

A school leader is contacted by the parents of a student who broke his arm over the weekend. They are concerned that he will be unable to complete assignments because of his inability to write. The school leader can best address the parents’ concern by providing the student with services through

• Temporary placement in special education

• Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act

• Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act

• Occupational therapy

Answer explanation

It is important to be aware of the rights of students and what different laws are there to protect. A physical impairment that impacts a student's ability to complete assignments is an eligibility factor for a 504 plan.

SLS Study companion-

The district is requiring schools to revisit their dress code policies and determine if policies are unfairly targeting any particular person or group. The district has provided few guidelines as how to do this, so building-level leaders must come up with a plan to review, revise, and implement the policies. Which of the following would be effective steps in this approach? Choose all that apply.

• Send home detailed information about the review and ask parents for their input.

• Ask the student government for a representative to sit on the review committee

• Enlist the help of the school advisory council in organizing a review committee

• Review discipline data to see how policies have affected individual and groups of students.

Answer explanation

Sending home detailed information is the only answer that is not effective in receiving iinput from stakeholders. The other answers model transparency and a consistent decision-making process.

SLLA 6990 Test Prep Study Guide & Practice Test, K. Jasper

In Makeithappen Middle School, the administration has traditionally made all the decisions for the school with no pushback from the staff. The new principal wants to build a culture of collaboration and move away from the culture of administration being the sole decision makers. Which practice would most reshape the school culture?

• Develop and enforce PLCs to build a collaborative approach to instruction.

• Build committees of students and teachers to review issues and participate in making decisions

• Have staff take a survey to share their thoughts and opinions on potential changes.

• Schedule routine faculty meetings to encourage staff to share their concerns and thoughts on decisions

Answer explanation

This is the only answer that truly includes stakeholders in a shared decision-making process. All answers a good practices, but this question is looking to show the promote and value democracy in decision-making.

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The band and orchestra are in need of funds to replace and repair instruments. This request has been made for a few years, but this request is typically surpassed by more pressing needs that require funds. This year, the district requires an upgrade to the security system, taking a significant amount of the budget, resulting in another year of no funding for the band and orchestra. What can the administrator do to accommodate the band and orchestra request?

• Make budget cuts to another department to make sure funding goes to band and orchestra

• Work with PTA and community to raise money for the instruments.

• Divide the allocation for the security system to be spread over a few years so there would be funds available for the instruments this year.

• Explain to the band and orchestra director that the security system is a mandate and unfortunately there is no funding available.

Answer explanation

Finding ways to shift funds around is not ethical behavior. Though telling the truth that the funding of security is a mandate, the leader is not taking ownership and deflects blame. Working with the community not only addresses the issue, but also demonstrates strong leadership and a willingness to promote ethical behavior.

Inspired by SLLA 6990 Test Prep Study Guide & Practice Test, K. Jasper