Assessment 1 Yarbrough 1

Assessment 1

Matelyn Yarbrough

SED 345

Dr. Carrie Mitchell

20 January 2021
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Assessment 1

 Identify the purpose and importance of a code of ethics.

Code of ethics prove importance because they set the stage for expectations. Ethics are an

abstract concept with thin grey lines that differ from person to person. Ethical principles

frequently are coexistent with subjective responses. Providing code of ethics, in any field, turns

ethics from subjectivity to objectivity. They lay out expectations in a clear, specific manner

creating a unified understanding of professional ethics in a field.

 Identify the purpose of your code of ethics.

The Council for Exceptional Children has provided special educators with a code of ethics.

Within special education, there are many legalities based on ethical principles. Foundationally,

the CEC’s code of ethics provides special educators with a set of guidelines to follow for

effectiveness and safety. Personally, I believe the code of ethics also provides a deeper

connotation to the importance of building relationships with students and families, by outlining

specific ethical practices and responsibilities around partnerships.

 Identify the specific themes that appear in your code of ethics.

The main themes that are discussed within the CEC’s code of ethics are teaching and

assessment, professional credentials and employment, professional development, professional

colleagues, paraeducators, parents and families, research, case management, and non-educational

supports. Teaching, assessment, and research both reflected on using effective researched based

strategies with students. Teaching and assessment also reflects the importance of building a safe

and effective learning environment for students. Professional credentials and employment

discuss the importance of knowing the “ins and outs” of basic employment resources and
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expectations and being prompt in respecting them. Professional development mentions the

importance of staying up to date of resources, procedures, and responsibilities while continuing

to grow and develop upon those items. Professional colleagues, paraeducators, and parents and

families really focus on the importance of collaboration, supporting one another, and the

expectations of those involved. Case management focuses on the expectations of record keeping

and confidentiality. Lastly, non-education support hits on the expectations of services and

expectations that are not academic, but important to the wellness of the student.

 Describe why those themes are part of their specific code of ethics.

The themes within the CEC’s code of ethics are specific to special education and to the code

of ethics because they are the biggest parts of education. Teaching and assessment reflects the in

class academic and functional support that a teacher supplies his/her students. A teacher cannot

effectively and ethically complete teaching and assessments if they do not stay on top of their

professional credentials and employment responsibilities like professional development.

Collaboration and generalization of supports truly forms student growth and development

through professional colleague relationships, including those with paraeducators. Case

management reflects the ethical practices of confidentiality and respect of student and family

wishes, needs, and privacy. Non-educational supports ties in the extra tasks and advocacy

necessary for supporting student development.

 What are three areas or themes that cross over all three code of ethics?

Three areas that cross over the CEC, Michigan Department of Education, and the National

Association for the Education of Young Children are professional expectations of an individual,

ethical practices when working with families, and when working with colleagues. These three
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areas were mentioned within each code of ethics. Although, all referred to as different things, the

three core ideas stayed. The professional expectations of an individual were significantly

different in their presentation from one code of ethics to another, truly respecting the field of

education represented in.

 Analyze three areas of themes that cross over all three codes of ethics. Explain why these

themes cross over area of certification.

The three areas that cross all three code of ethics, professional responsibilities of an

individual, and professional relationships with families and coworkers are very specific to

education in general. They are three concepts that truly forge the way for long lasting

relationships and academics. Personal responsibilities of an educator protect the students and the

educators, by reflecting specific practices of safety, confidentiality, and support within all three

code of ethics. If an educator does not show these skills and ethical responsibilities than they are

not safely and respectfully meeting the needs of their students. Relationships with colleagues and

families directly impact the well-being of students. A strong collaborative relationship with

families and colleagues sets the stage for a well-rounded, whole child, generalized approach to

the students learning, emotional and physical safety, and wellbeing.

 The candidate describes an area that is not part of their code of ethics but feel should be

and why.

An area that is not part of my code of ethics, but I feel should be is advocation. The word

advocate was mentioned sporadically through the code of ethics but for different meanings and

representation. I believe that there should be a section that is strictly focusing on advocation.

Advocation for the field of special education and most importantly for our students in and out of
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the academic setting. I personally believe that most special educators are natural advocates for

the special needs population, because of the emotional pull to their position, but there are some

who forget or who have never found the true meaning of their career. Having a section may help

remind of influence a change in heart and spur advocation for special education.