Psych650 Wk 6 Summative Assessment Ethical Decision Making Report

Understanding the impact of psychopathology on behavior and learning can help you make informed, compassionate decisions with and for individuals facing psychopathological conditions or disorders. Applying a professional and ethical framework to decision-making will guide your thinking and help you navigate complex scenarios with respect for the individuals involved. In this assessment, you’ll apply an ethical decision-making model to develop a solution to an ethical dilemma that aligns with professional standards and honors individual autonomy. Assessment Preparation Read the following scenario: You are an educational consultant tasked with evaluating a local school’s compliance with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and Section 504 plans, focusing on ethical and legal considerations related to student mental health. Tensions are escalating between parents and teachers due to the actions of a school psychologist who has been modifying students’ IEP and 504 plans without parental input, based solely on teacher concerns about implementation challenges. Teachers report the following complaints about some accommodations: • They are too time-consuming to implement consistently. • They limit their ability to support other students. • They disrupt classroom routines or conflict with established classroom rules and procedures. • They create stigma or resentment among students. In contrast, parents argue that these unilateral changes violate their rights and compromise their children’s access to appropriate education. To help you assess the situation, the board provides the example of Jordan, a student diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and generalized anxiety disorder. Recently, Jordan has resisted many guidelines provided in his IEP. For example, he has asked teachers not to send him to a quiet room for testing or provide extended time for homework and assessments. Jordan cites discomfort with accommodations such as preferential seating or being pulled aside for check-ins. Jordan wants to “just be like everyone else.” Despite these objections, Jordan’s parents remain firm in their support of the current IEP and expect it to be followed as written. The school board is now facing a dilemma. On one hand, they want to support teachers who are overwhelmed and frustrated by the demands of implementing complex accommodations. On the other hand, they recognize the importance of maintaining compliance with federal laws such as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. You have decided to use an ethical decision-making model to assess the professional and ethical implications of modifying students’ educational plans without parental input, using Jordan’s case as your example. You will then provide your evaluation and conclude with a recommendation to the school board that addresses professional and ethical obligations. Review Ch. 14, “Disorders Common Among Children and Adolescents,” in your textbook to recall key details about educational interventions and programs for children or adolescents with neurodiverse needs. Research an ethical decision-making model (e.g., Corey’s model, the social constructivist model, etc.) to analyze the dilemma in the scenario. Assessment Deliverable  Write a 750 word report in which you explain to the school board the professional and ethical responsibilities educators have in providing individualized accommodations. Use Jordan’s case as the central example to illustrate your points. Include the following headings and topics in your report: • Student Diagnosis: ADHD and Generalized Anxiety Disorder • Describe general characteristics and symptomology of ADHD and generalized anxiety disorder. • Explain how these disorders manifest in classroom settings. • Explain why students with these disorders may require academic accommodations. • Legal Statutes and Compliance • Summarize relevant federal and state laws related to IEPs and 504 plans. Incorporate details related to the research you conducted. • Describe teachers’ legal obligations regarding implementing accommodations outlined in IEPs and 504 plans. • Ethical Decision-Making Model • Use your selected ethical decision-making model (e.g., Corey’s model, the social constructivist model) to explain how the school board can resolve the ethical dilemma. • Summarize the model and why it is appropriate for Jordan’s scenario. • Describe each step of the model by applying it to Jordan’s case. Include the following: • Specific examples or details from Jordan’s case to illustrate how the model guides decision-making • A rationale for the recommended actions • Relevant ethical and legal standards, citing applicable tenets from Principles A–E of the American Psychological Association Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct • Consultant Recommendation • Conclude the report by providing a final decision for resolving the ethical dilemma presented in Jordan’s case. Include details to explain how the decision balances student autonomy, legal compliance, and classroom practicality. Cite the APA code of conduct and at least 2 additional scholarly sources and format your citations and references according to APA guidelines. Submit your assessment. Assessment Support • Review the grading rubric for guidance on deliverable expectations.