I see the importance of ethical responsibilities regarding assessing children in several main values. They are evaluating childhood as a unique and valuable step in human development, nurturing the relationship between adolescents and their families. Respecting the differences between children, family, and colleagues and recognizing that children and adults can reach their full potential with the help of the instructor’s support is also an important aspect of ethical responsibility. Some relevant laws regarding equality and non-discrimination can help child care and education professionals act ethically.
Today’s educators might face various issues when teaching different groups of students. The first issue is that some educators might neglect the fact that the student’s cultural background and environment in many ways influence the way a child behaves and perceives information. The importance of admitting cultural and ethnic characteristics of a student is mentioned in the NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct (2011). I, as an educator, could address the issues to improve my work with children. I am always trying to consider the ethnic and cultural background of students when preparing topics for discussions. For example, we could discuss cultural food or traditions from different cultures at lessons. Such an approach will help students share their opinions on class discussions more.
The professionalization of early care and education may influence the issue of neglecting the diverse groups in class. If educators are awarded the role of adjusting the study plan to students’ character, they will pay more attention to the issue. In addition, such professionalization may provide instructors with a more practical explanation of how to integrate different ethnic and cultural groups into the curriculum. It is also useful to collaborate with the other disciplines when addressing issues such as psychological discipline since teaching requires a deep understanding of children’s psychology.
The next issue to be addressed is the role of a positive and pleasant learning environment. It should be friendly and comfortable for students to feel secure and confident during the lessons. NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct (2011) also mentions that a positive social environment supports students and provides cognitive stimulation. This issue will influence my future work as I will do my best to create the most comfortable emotional and social environment for my students.
My ethical role also includes using assessment instruments and procedures appropriate for the child being evaluated, which may be used only for the intended purpose and may help the child. For example, grades might be unnecessary when working with very young students. If an educational organization requires putting grades, I could advocate for children and suggest postponing the grading system until next year. According to the NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct (2011), educators should advocate and ensure that all children, including those with special needs, have access to the support services they need to succeed. Educators need to use assessment information to better understand and support their child’s growth and learning and support education and identify children who may need additional services. It is important to protect the rights of all children to learn in a comprehensive environment that meets the needs of children with and without disabilities.
In conclusion, ethical assessment is important for the child care and education professional since the ethical approach impacts a student’s academic success and psychological state. To ensure that a child is in the best ethical conditions to acquire new information, an educator should follow several vital points mentioned in the Code of Ethical Conduct. They emphasize being familiar with the student’s childhood care and education. It is paramount because the instructor needs to prepare a program’s practices based on this knowledge. Another requirement is to provide children with a healthy and safe setting during the lessons. An educator needs to ensure that each child’s language, ethnicity, family, and culture structure are valued and recognized in the program. Finally, an education professional should provide children with knowledge and do it ethically properly, which means that they are required to create a corresponding social environment.
Reference
National Association for the Education of Young Children. (2011). Code of ethical conduct and statement of commitment (reaffirmed and updated). Web.