Ethical Considerations in the Practice of School Psychology

Cross-national variations in the role and function of school psychologists, the organization of schools, and cultural norms require flexibility in applying standards and procedures for ethically sound practice. However, a set of universal ethical principles exists, and serves as a framework within which decisions about ethical matters can be made. In this chapter, four general principles are described—respect for the dignity of persons; responsible caring; integrity in professional relationships; and responsibility to society. Their applications are explored in the context of common and...

Cross-national variations in the role and function of school psychologists, the organization of schools, and cultural norms require flexibility in applying standards and procedures for ethically sound practice. However, a set of universal ethical principles exists, and serves as a framework within which decisions about ethical matters can be made. In this chapter, four general principles are described—respect for the dignity of persons; responsible caring; integrity in professional relationships; and responsibility to society. Their applications are explored in the context of common and emerging ethical themes and dilemmas, including administrative pressures, unsound educational practices, informed consent, privacy, fairness and nondiscrimination, use of technology, response-to-intervention models, and conflicts of interest. Various models for ethical decision making also are discussed.