Terry Vechinski

Ethics & Issues in Education

EDUW695

Kathi Stebbins-Hintz

Stevens Point/Madison Sept. 24 & Oct. 1, back to SP on Nov. 5

Fall 2016

Ethical Issues Journal

Using Inquiry Framework, discussion of the facts, issue, arguments, and resolution,
consequentialist or non-consequentialist, due process, and reasons for punishment

1. A student/teacher relationship-
You are at the movies and you see a 12th grader come out of the theater holding hands
with the science teacher. You are a teacher in the same building where they both spend
their days. The teacher is unmarried, and in his first year in the profession.

Facts-A student and teacher are holding hands at the movies

Questions-How old is the student?
Issue-Should this be reported to the administration, students parent, school counselor,
SS?
Arguments-Yes, in an effort to protect a minor. No, he is an adult; hell get in trouble
Non-consequentialist-It is inappropriate
Due process-Maybe take the time to talk to him. Dont jump to conclusions
Reason for punishment-Bad judgement by someone in a position of trust
What do you do? Tell someone. Who?

Notes/Comments

Some issues are legal issues, some are ethical issues.

Ethical Issues-
With computer contact with students, personal cell phones, texting, etc

Taking students photos on your personal cell phone

School counselor who counsels students from other cultures with values different from her own;
conforms to different norms/expectations

Teachers accepting gifts from students/families

Choice of teacher-contention between principal & parent about which teacher the child should be
assigned to

School uniforms-should they be mandatory? Can everyone afford it? Will we deny them an
education?

Discipline policies-should we keep a student in from recess?

Diversity-Include different ethnic sports, multicultural activities & festivals

Grading-should class participation be graded?

Narrowing the curriculum/teaching to the test or enhancing grades