Introduction
The ASCA is a code of ethics for school counselors because it comprises the responsibilities, principles, and morals that people must adhere to be successful. The liability of each staff member is to support students regardless of origin, race, previous educational level, and other reasons for discrimination (American school counselor association, 2016). Likewise, it is essential to maintain confidentiality and ensure a safe school environment. The organization’s purpose is to educate and provide moral support to all stakeholders to sustain high standards of professionalism.
Responsibility to Students
The primary responsibility to the students is to support the development of each individual based on a set of rules. The counselor must maintain the confidentiality of the information provided by the scholar until it breaks the law. Moreover, the employee’s duties include informing the scholar about thematic issues and preserving boundaries. Private and group students teaching is necessary to address social and emotional problems. In addition, counselors need to protect children from bullying and be careful when assessing student achievement. The association should help deal with technical issues with an ethical and legal focus.
Responsibilities to Parents/Guardians, School and Self
School counselors are required to maintain professional relationships with staff and administration. Additionally, they should advocate for fair policies and inform officials of potential damage to mission, personnel or property, while maintaining confidentiality. School counselors must constantly develop professionally and refrain from the personal beliefs of the culture or ethnicity. Respect for intellectual property and a clear understanding of the difference in actions taken as an individual and as a professional representative is essential.
School Counselor Administrators/Supervisors
The responsibility of the school administration is to monitor what the counselors are promoting. The rules are to provide adequate information and resources to meet the students’ needs. Similarly, the authority must deliver resources for professionals to support training. The responsibility of the administration is to observe obedience to policies and procedures to ensure that practices are in line with ASKA’s ethical standards. Under the supervision of a higher authority, teachers are responsible for distributing resources fairly and in a non-discriminatory manner. The administration is obliged to take steps to eliminate the causes associated with violation of ethics and the law.
School Counseling Intern Site Supervisors
Website managers must be highly qualified and licensed as school counselors or understand comprehensive thematic issues. They also should constantly improve their professional skills in providing counseling and supervision. The administration is carried out in an integrated manner that includes all key aspects such as supporting excellent and ethical practices, supervisory assessment, developing improvement plans, counseling individual cases, and helping to determine the course of action. Managers also have a responsibility to be competent with technology and keep supervisors informed of policies and procedures.
Maintenance of Standards
The ethical behavior of the consultant can be questioned, in which case the administration and colleagues adopt several rules. The first step is to concur with a colleague and find solutions to resolve doubts. At this point, people discuss concerns about illegal, offensive, or unsafe behavior. School counselors are aware of their accountability responsibilities. If the issue is not resolved at the peer and supervisor level, the employee should contact the Public School Counselor Association and then the American School Counselor Association.
Ethical Decision-Making
When a dispute or doubts about the ethical competence of an employee arise, managers use a step-by-step decision-making model. The first step is to identify the problem emotionally and intellectually. Further, it assumes following the rules of ASCA, assessing the student’s development, and considering the conditions and rights of minors. The third step is to apply favor and fairness. The fourth step is to set a course of action and make a rational estimation. The last point is the convention and implementation of the activity plan.
Reference
American school counselor association. (2016). ASCA ethical standards for school counselors. Web.