College of Education Department of Educational Psychology SYLLABUS Course: EPSY 6310.01R Ethical & Legal Issues in School Psychology Term: Summer I 2015 Day/Time: Tuesdays/Thursdays 5:00-10:15pm Location: EDUC 1.404 Instructor: Nancy P. Razo, Ph.D E-mail: nancy.razo@utrgv.edu Office: EDCC 1.638 Dept. Phone: (956) 665-3466 Office Phone: (956) 665-3490 Office Hours: Summer hours are by appointment only Course Catalog Description History and foundations, ethical, and legal issues of the professional school psychologist are presented. Service models of interventions and professional responsibilities in the role of school psychologist are included. Required Text Jacob, S., Decker, D. M., & Hartshorne, T. S. (2011). Ethics and law for school psychologists (6 th ed.). New York: John Wiley & Sons. Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists (2012). Psychologists Licensing Act and Rules and Regulations of the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists. Austin, TX: Author. Obtain a copy at: http://www.tsbep.state.tx.us/files/agencydocs/tsbeprulebook.pdf NASP (2010). Principles for professional ethics of the NASP. Silver Spring, MD: Author. Located in Appendix A of Jacob, Decker, & Hartshorne book. APA (2010). Ethical principles of psychology and code of conduct with the 2010 amendments. Washington, DC: Author. Located in Appendix A of Jacob, Decker, & Hartshorne book. ***Additional readings will be assigned. Readings will be on Blackboard, handed out, citation given, or on Reserve at the library. Sufficient time will be given in order to obtain the additional reading. Course Objectives: Students completing this course are expected to demonstrate understanding across the domains of school psychology at the introductory level. The course participant will: 1. Articulate the goals and competencies of the program for Licensed Specialist in School Psychology at the University of Texas Pan American/University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. Students will develop a basic understanding of the course sequence and the program
requirements of the National Association of School Psychologists and the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists. 2. Demonstrate an understanding of the history of school psychology and the contributions of specific professionals in the field of school psychology. 3. Describe the roles and functions of school psychologists and the scientist-practitioner model of service delivery. 4. Understand the legal foundations of school-based practice, including federal and state regulations governing the special education process, including IDEA and its amendments, Section 504, and relevant state regulations. 5. Discuss ethical principles, codes of ethics, and law pertinent to the delivery of school psychological services (e.g., NASP and APA codes of ethics, IDEA, FERPA, Section 504, and major court cases). 6. Identify and discuss the ethical and legal aspects of situations that arise in professional practice, use ethical reasoning skills to anticipate and prevent problems from arising; and use a problemsolving model to make informed, well-reasoned choices in resolving problems when they do occur. 7. Understand and value practice based on respect for the dignity of persons; responsible caring; integrity in professional relationships; and acceptance of responsibility to school, community, and society. 8. Understand ways in which legislation and public policy can hinder or promote student learning and well-being. Specific Competencies/Standards The following NASP Standards for Training in School Psychology are targeted in the course: 2.10 School Psychology Practice and Development: School psychologists have knowledge of the history and foundations of their profession; of various service models and methods, of public policy development applicable to services to children and families; and of ethical, professional, and legal standards. School psychologists practice in ways that are consistent with applicable standards, are involved in their profession and have knowledge and skills needed to acquire career-long professional development. General Requirements: Summer courses are, by nature, fast paced. Like all graduate courses, you should expect to spend from 2 to 3 hours outside of class for each hour of class meeting time. If this is too much time given your other responsibilities, please take this class at another time when you can allocate the time to the course. Access to Blackboard (UTPA/UTRGV username and password required). This is a summer reduced-seat (hybrid) course, so it is YOUR responsibility to make sure you check blackboard assignments and e-mail frequently. All assignments should be written in a scholarly format, typed, and submitted on or before the assigned due date. Always save a copy of what you submit. Work by others used in responses should be properly cited in APA format (6th edition). It is recommended, but not required, that you purchase the APA manual for your graduate work. You can find select examples of proper citation format at http://flash1r.apa.org/apastyle/basics/index.htm or http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/664/1/. PLEASE set cell phones so that they do not disturb the class and put them in a pocket, purse, or backpack. It is unprofessional to check texts, email, etc. during class. Students who text in class will be asked to leave unless the instructor is using texts as part of the class. Page 2 of 5
Professional Behavior At all times, individuals enrolled in this course should practice professional behavior. Respectful open dialogue is encouraged. However, misunderstandings/disagreements should be handled in a respectful, appropriate manner. Individuals who fail to uphold the standards of professionalism will be counseled by the course instructor as to the problems being demonstrated. Individuals who exhibit habitual problems with professionalism will be asked by the course instructor to leave the class session and withdraw from the course. For further information, students are encouraged to refer to the UTPA Student Conduct Code, which can be found on the following webpage: http://www.utpa.edu/hop/policies/?5.5.2. Individual and Group Work Work in this class will be completed both on an individual and group basis. Cooperation, support, and teamwork are expected. Participation is expected. Some assignments are to be done as a group learning process. Other assignments are to be done individually. If it is not clear whether the assignment is individual or a group project, it is important to ask. Assignments that are turned in as an individual assignment should be your own work. If assistance in producing a good quality of writing is necessary, it is acceptable to obtain assistance. Make-up and Late Work Policy Make-up work is not available. Grades are issued as earned. Late work will not receive full credit; 10 points will be deducted for each calendar day that the assignment is late. Absences: HOP Section 6.7.8 The student is expected to be punctual and attend all classes and laboratory sessions. A faculty member may consider class attendance as a part of the course grade when in the judgment of the instructor, a student has been absent or tardy to such a degree as to impair his or her status relative to credit for the course, the instructor may drop the student from the class. One unexcused absence will drop your grade by one letter grade. Student will be dropped from class after two unexcused absences. Absences are only considered excused on a case by case basis and must be accompanied by appropriate documentation. Student Academic Responsibilities: HOP Section 5.2.1 Each student is responsible for all the work in each of his or her classes. Failure to meet this obligation may lead to academic penalties which may include dismissal from the class, or in the case of the student on probation, from The University of Texas-Pan American. Please refer to the identified section of HOP for more information on Academic Appeals. Student Complaint Procedures: HOP Section 5.8.1 The policy of the University is to provide students with a procedure for resolving complaints against the University faculty and staff related to matters other than discrimination or grade appeals. Please refer to the identified section of HOP for more information on the Student Complaint Process. Course Requirements: 1. Ethics Autobiography 50 points- In this essay, you will reflect on your personal values and beliefs and on what you think it means to be an ethical professional. This is neither a research paper nor a summary of the ethics code; rather, it is an opportunity for you to demonstrate, in writing, your self-awareness as a budding professional and how you foresee your values and Page 3 of 5
beliefs shaping the kind of school psychologist you will one day become. This essay should be a minimum of two pages long. More information will be provided in class. 2. Group Law Presentation 50 points Students will work in groups of 2 or 3 to research a pertinent law. Professor will provide which laws will be researched. Group will then present the information about the law to the class, including how it affects children in schools today. More information will be provided in class 3. Ethical Dilemma Project 100 points Each student will identify a real-world, ethical dilemma faced by a school psychologist (LSSP). Your task is this: (a) identify and understand the dilemma; (b) decide how you would handle this dilemma and why; and (d) identify the ethical principles (from ethics codes) that apply here. This will be written up and turned in. 4. Exams (100 points each)- Students will have three exams during the semester. Exam 1 will cover Chapters 1 & 2, Exam 2 will cover Chapters 3-5, and Exam 3 will cover Chapters 6-9. You are NOT allowed to use anything while taking the exams. This includes notes, book, friends, etc. You are expected to follow the Student Code of Conduct when completing your exams. All tests require the use of Respondus LockDown Browser, therefore you are highly recommended to take your test at one of the university computer labs in case you have any technical issues. Grading Policy: 450-500 = A 400-449 = B 350-399 = C Mandatory Course Evaluation Period (July 3 July 5) Students are required to complete an ONLINE evaluation of this course, accessed through your UTPA account (https://my.utpa.edu/); you will be contacted through email with further instructions on the evaluation process. The evaluation window closes at 11:59 pm on July 5 th. Students who complete their evaluations by June 5 th will have priority access to their grades. The Bronc Honor Code As members of a community dedicated to honesty, integrity, and mutual respect in all interactions and relationships the students, faculty and administration of our university pledge to abide by the principles in The Bronc Honor Code. See www.utpa.edu/dos. Americans with Disabilities Act Students with disabilities are encouraged to contact the Disability Services office for a confidential discussion of their individual needs for academic accommodation. It is the policy of the University of Texas-Pan American to provide flexible and individualized accommodation to students with documented disabilities that may affect their ability to fully participate in course activities or to meet course requirements. To receive accommodation services, students must be registered with the Disability Services office (DS), University Center #108, 665-7005 or disabilityservices@utpa.edu. It is YOUR responsibility to contact the Disability Services Office immediately and work with them on your case. ***** NOTE: Syllabus is subject to change with advance notice ***** Page 4 of 5
Projected/Tentative Summer I 2015 Schedule Date Topic/Class Activity Readings Due 6/9 Course Overview & Blackboard Requirements **Bring UTPA School Development/History of School Psychology Professional Identity: Roles, Function, Clientele Psychology Requirements to Class Review of Current Program **Ethics Autobiography opens at 8am on 6/9; Due by 11:59 on Wednesday 6/10. 6/11 Training and Credentialing Ethics and Law in School Psychology General Ethical Principles and Legal Principles TSBEP & NASP Chpt. 1&2 **Exam 1: Chpts 1&2 opens at 8pm on 6/11; Due by 11:59pm on Friday 6/12. 6/16 Privacy, Informed Consent, Confidentiality, Privilege, and Record Keeping Mandated Child Abuse Reporting 6/18 Ethical-Legal Issues in Identification, Classification, Placement, and Educational Planning for Students with Disabilities (IDEA and Section 504/ADA) Chpt. 3 & Assigned Reading Chpt. 4 & 5 **Exam 2: Chpts 3-5 opens at 8pm on 6/18; Due by 11:59pm on Friday 6/19. 6/23 Special Education Placement in Texas **Assigned Readings 6/25 Ethical-Legal Issues in Psychoeducational Assessment & Chpt. 6 &7 School-Based Interventions **Ethical Dilemma opens at 8pm on 6/25; Due by 11:59pm on Friday 6/26. 6/30 Ethical-Legal Issues in Working with Teachers and Parents Special Topics in School Consultation Chpt. 8 & 9 **Exam 3: Chpts 6-9 opens at 8pm on 6/30; Due by 11:59pm on Wednesday 7/1. 7/2 Ethical-Legal Issues in Research & Supervision Dual Relationships; Chpt. 10 & 11 TSBEP 7/7 Final Exam Group Law Presentations Page 5 of 5