All
information pertaining to a student (and family), whether shared
directly with you or overheard, is confidential, however certain
situations must be reported such as neglect or abuse. Keeping this in mind discuss one of the activities from the text and it's implications if confidentiality is not maintained.
Respond to two other people.
Then say you tell someone about what is on his IEP next think you know someone is tell another person and it comes to be the childs parent. The parent comes in and says one of your works was talking about my child and know all the store know about my childs problems.
ReplyDeleteWhen the student hears that the para has been discussing him/her outside of the classroom it will possibly hurt the student/para relationship and make it difficult for the para to be effective in helping that student.
DeleteWhen you start telling others about a childs IEP then rumers start and if it does get back to the parent, then who knows what the story will be.
DeleteYes. These kids (especially the older ones) trust us and we need to keep that trust so we can continue helping them. If they don't trust us, they more than likely will shut down when trying to help them.
DeleteJohn, I agree with you! When the teens/students have the courage to come talk to us, they feel safe. However, when they find out that we are talking behind their back it's going to be hard for us to gain their trust back, and we're both not going to be comfortable working with each other anymore.
DeleteWith confidentiality I just take data and have meeting times with my boss to tell the things going on and don't say anything out side the room you never know who is who it is very important for you and the children you have in class.
ReplyDeleteIt is so true Ginnette, a person cannot be too careful in this area. There are a lot of "listening ears" ready to pounce on any bit of info the can gossip about. It is not only going to get the person sharing that info in trouble but it will also hurt the individual who is being talked about.
DeleteIt's always good to remember to talk with another professional in the room with you when talking to parent so things to do not get turned around. Also, remember there are other ears trying to listen in on conversations, so keeping a closed door also helps with confidentiality.
DeleteThis is so true with schools being small news travel fast.
DeleteIn activity two Mr. James the para is in a difficult position when the father of one of his student keeps asking him how his son is progressing. In my opinion Mr. James should be up front about his responsibility to keep such information confidential and that he cannot discuss it outside of the classroom. Mr James can say what a great kid his son is or that he is a diligent worker and leave it at that. Then if the father persists on learning about his son's progress Mr. James can remind him of the confidentiality policy.
ReplyDeleteIf Mr. James were to divulge some information concerning his friend's son that was negative it could lead to all sorts of problems for the General ed. teacher and the sped teacher and administration personnel too.
Confidentiality is extremely important and should be strictly maintained by all persons connected to any sped student.
I agree with you John, I dont think the father should put James in that posotion. Mr. James should just tell the father to contact the teacher at school.
DeleteI agree also, I think the father is putting James in a bad place that could get worse.
DeleteI agree also John. this could end up very bad for all involed if they weren't careful and confidentially was not important
DeleteI agree with everything you said, John. I can see where the parent is coming from, he just wants to know how his child is doing. It does put Mr. James in an awkward position. We have to be so careful for everyone involved with this student.
DeleteI agree with you on this one. I have been in this situation before many times with one student and I have to remember to let the parent know that she needs to talk to the sped teacher, not me.
DeleteYes I agree with you Angela I've also been in that situation, and most parents get mad/upset because we don't tell them what they are asking for: like in one situation it was another student's personal information.
DeleteActivity 2: When Mr. James is discussing the son to the father, he might say something to up set the father or other people might be in the room and hear them. one of the people might be an employee or director, he could get fired for discussing the child with the father.
ReplyDeleteYes Pam we can't be too careful about confidentiality. We must resist the temptation to be a "buddy" to friends we meet whose students we might have in our classes. It could turn out to not only hurt the friendship but in the end the student could be the one to suffer the most.
Deleteno matter what, even if a parent is a close friend to a teacher, the teacher needs to refer the parent(s) to the special education department for the head person there. this way the teacher can't get into trouble for misleading information or losing confidentiality with anyone.
DeleteSuch a tough position to be in....and having my own kids in schoool I would not put their teachers in that situation. I would tell the friend of my student that we have to keep certain things confident & maybe encourage him/her to talk to their child to see how they feel they are doing in class. I would take the opportunity to explain that confidentiality is important & they wouldn't want me talking to someone else about their child as a student in my class.
DeleteIn our small town it is very difficult not to be confronted by a parent or even a parent that has a child in that class room. I tend to saw a lot "I don't know" or "I best not discuss that with you". Like John said there are a lot of "Listening ears" Confientially is a huge thing. You never want to jeopardize your job in todays world.
ReplyDeleteYes Deb, we live in a small town too and everybody knows everybody. The thing that bothers me the most is the danger of what the SPED students might hear being said about them. It could really cause them some hurt feelings and it could also affect their progress in class.
DeleteNot only do you not want to jeopardize your job, but you don't know how the other people hearing what you say will take what you say. What you mean may not be what they understand you said at all.
DeleteI agree with John, it can really hurt feelings and the relationship you have with the student and parents/guardian.
Another factor in a small town is that everybody else is not bound by confidentiality. Other people say something that they saw and it keeps going and going. Sometimes incidents that happen are already out in the school and the communities "gossip mill" before school is even out for the day and usually it is not true or has been embellished so much it may as well not be true. I'm only in my 2nd year in a small town, it amazes me how quickly ANYTHING gets around.
DeleteI also live in a small town theres always gossip goin around but I totally agree now a days its harder
DeleteYes working in a small town can be difficult.
DeleteAs in situation 2 with the teacher and the father, the teacher just needs to stand her ground and express that the information needs to remain confidential until he speaks to the special education department/teacher. This way the teacher doesn't put herself in a bad situation or anything. Plus if the student finds out the teacher or any para is discussing personal information about them, then he can get them into much trouble with the school and it could distruct his confidence.
ReplyDeleteI can relate to situation #2. Being from a small town it is hard for the public to keep their nose out of other people's business. I believe that the teacher needs to mention the confidentiality first and if the parent is just not getting it then I would suggest that the parent needs to call the classroom teacher.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you Kerri. I truly think that discussions about how a child is doing academically should be handled in the school setting. Not while playing sports or attending sports events, not at the hair dressers, nor anywhere else is appropriate for these conversations.
DeleteActivity 2- Mr. James works as a paraprofessional and then he is a trainer in the afternoon at the local athletic club. One of his student's father works out at the weight room every afternoon and have become friends. The father of the student keeps asking Mr. James about how his is doing in school. He just needs to say that I cannot talk about his son because of confidentiality, but the father can set up an appointment with the classroom teacher and that he will be happy to attend the meeting.
ReplyDeleteI would direct their questions to the teacher as well. It's best to immediately tell them that you are not allowed to talk about their child, but let them know who they can talk to about them.
Delete*Katie,
DeleteVery well put! He should make an appointment with the classroom teacher and you can be there to discuss what ever he wants to know.
You are bound legally not to discuss students with anyone other than with their special education teacher. It is important to relay any important information to your supervising teacher so that when a parent or general education teacher asks them about the student they know what is going on out in the classroom. The best possible answer when someone other than the special education teacher asks you about one of your students is to say "I really don't know, but I'm sure the special education teacher would be happy to discuss that with you." That way you are legally off the hook.
ReplyDeleteI agree Amber. "I just don't know" Just don't discuss the student with anyone who doesn't need to know and if a parent asks you just refer them to the special ed teacher
DeleteI agree with you. I play dumb well & it keeps me out of a lot trouble.
DeleteI come from a small town and it is so hard not to talk to the parents and the grocery store, etc.
DeleteActivity #2- Mr. James is in an awkward position, but that is part of the job, unfortunately. I think Mr. James could tell the dad that he would be willing to let the special education teacher know that he wants to know how his child is doing. Maybe then a meeting can be set up with the whole team to get everyone's opinion on how the child is doing. If the dad persist on an answer, Mr. James needs to let the dad know he could loose his job if he says anything because of the confidentiality guidelines. I don't think people understand that those guidelines are there for protection for everyone involved.
ReplyDeleteYou make a very good point about the confidentiality guidelines are in place to protect evryone involved; parents, students, teachers, and the school. It is very important to remember this and to explain it to others who ask about our students.
DeleteTracy, you are right about the para losing his job over talking to a parent about their child. This is the supervising teachers duty. This also includes talking about students in intervention or the evaluation process. If a para even casually mentions anything that they have overheard their supervisor say about a student, then they can be fired.
DeleteActivity #2- Mr. James is in difficult position, what I would do in his place is. Tell him If he wants to know how his child his doing to talk to my supervisor and set up a meeting.
ReplyDeleteIt is very hard when you are friends with the person. I can relate and I know I have to take a moment and stop because just because they are my friends, my job comes first. It is for the safety of the children.
DeleteComing from a small town, I can identify with both activity 1 and 2. My philosophy is to answer questions as vaguely as I can. If this does not work, I then direct the person to contact the lead Teacher, who can provide them with more specific information. I do this even with parents of the student that I work with. I feel like if I divulge information to them while standing in the grocery store or some other public place, they may wonder if I talk about all of my students to anyone in this manner. If I need to speak to a parent about assignments or other things regarding the student, then I will discuss this with my lead teacher and we will decide how to go from there. I do not like any form of gossip and I try my best to avoid being a part of any type of gossip.
ReplyDeleteWay to go Elizabeth! The TOR is the only one who should know what is going on not other sped teachers or the general ed teachers.
DeleteI have been in that position of Activity 1 about the Teacher's Lounge. It is a tough one to be in, especially when you have developed a friendship with teachers & school staff. When they approach you with sincere inquiries about the student you work with you might be inclined to share things thinking it will be kept confident. I have learned the hard way that confidentiality MUST be kept always-no matter what! You lose more trust of others than its worth. The answer for me is "I'm sorry. That's confidential." It keeps me out of trouble. And it helps those I work with know they can count on me to keep their trust in me safe.
ReplyDeleteI agree Denise. Because if that co-worker is asking for something confidential who else are they asking?
DeleteI think we all get comfortable in our jobs and think it is ok to speak to coworkers about students because we all work for the same place, but it is still a breech of confidentiality and is wrong. I have ran into this situation and I just tell them to take their concerns to my supervisor.
DeleteConfidentiality I find is one of the most important aspects of my job. I know that I wouldn't want my child's information out infront of other teachers. So its important to me to always be thinking about if what I'm saying is confidential or not sonits best not to talk about students except with the TOR privately. Activity 1. How I would Handel that situation is" I would say imnnot allowed to respond to that question due to confidentially rules but I would. Love to share that recipe with you that we have disscus" then walk away saying "have a good day".
ReplyDeleteConfidentiality is very important to me also. I also wouldn't want info about my children out for everyone to know. I try to be very careful when discussing a student to my supervisor so that noone else hears.
DeleteI agree with Laura Confidentiality is essential at my work. I wouldn't like the information of my child to be at the open. it is better to talk in a room with you teacher and no one else so the information does not spread out.
DeleteActivity 1: Just change the subject and if that doesn't work, excuse yourself and leave.
ReplyDeleteI agree. I would have tried to talk about something different. If that didn't work, then I would just walk out.
DeleteChristy,
DeleteThis is the best thing to do. No one needs to know anyone's business. Confidentiality is a must in any job. This is the way I feel. You don't hear anything.
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DeleteI agree. it is better to change the subject it that doesn't work left so you can not get in trouble.
DeleteIn the incident with Ms. Allen, instead of her just sitting there, she should have got up and asked them not to be discussing a personal matter with a student, with others. In my opinion it really isn't their business. That is how rumors are spread.
ReplyDeleteYes very true!! She should have let them know they need to stop!
DeleteI relate to both activities, but the one that speaks to me more is activity #1. The main thing is that even though they are friends doesn't mean confidentiality needs to be breeched. It is unprofessional of him to ask and unprofessional for James to answer. The school setting is the place for information concerning the childs education and the whole team needs to be present. If information is given and the father isn't pleased with it, it could ruin the child/para bond they may have and would even ruin the bond that the para and father have. So what was truly gained from it all. Nothing.
ReplyDeleteI agree very unprofessional to breech information!
DeleteI went with activity 2 because i have 2 jobs and that has happened before me but all i say is i can give you the number to set an appointment with the teacher she has time on this day and so on. But i also say something positive like He is working great, he is wonderful. Confidentiality is so important!!!
ReplyDeleteActivity 2, I work at a school and a retail store, and when the children see me they automatically know who I am. Its very common for the parents of the children to ask me how their children is doing in class. My standard answer is very well but if you have any questions or concerns please call and talk to their teacher. I really don't know how he is doing in academics. Then I tell them that their child is wonderful and I really enjoy having them in class. Ever since I worked at a hospital I don't break they HYPA code.
ReplyDeleteActivity 1, if Ms. Allen were to tell the information about Josh's parents, then the others will go and tell more people, by the end of the day Josh may start getting teased from peers that have overheard the same information. The student doesn't need to hear that kind of information from his peers.
ReplyDelete***In the community is more likely to find parents that what to know how their children are doing. Mr. James best response could be that, He is a great student but we know everything that happens I school is confidential and you must ask his teacher.
ReplyDeleteThe situation in Activity 2 is very common in small towns. We, as para educators and teachers, have to learn to stand up for our guidelines and our student's safety and confidentiality. It is very easy for parents to ask how their son or son's friends are doing at school, but as para professionals the most we can say is " you have a great kid" etc.. We can also encourage them to make an appointment with a special education teacher.
ReplyDeleteConfidentiality is a very important thing I. Schools. How we do it is, we meet up with our teacher and have a meeting about the kids ,how everything is in classes. The meeting are about every 3 weeks. Then we keep it to our selves when we aren't in school.
ReplyDeleteIn the activity 2: Mr. James is in a very diffilcult situation becuase he work with the child and also knows the father very well so he should no said any thing besides that he is a great child and that he loves to work with him. if the father persist to remind him about confidentiality policy and if he wants more information to make a appointment with the teacher. i think the father will understand since they know each other well. confidentiality is a very important thing and mostly for the child that are in special education.
ReplyDeleteConfidentiality is very important. I would not want my child talked about outside of the people who work with them. We have mini disscussions everyday after school about how our day went and big meetings about every three weeks. I work at a small school so news travels fast. The only people i talk to about my students would be my boss and the other para that works with the same kids.
ReplyDelete