Maintaining Student Confidentiality in School Systems

Ethical Considerations (2) One ethical dilemma that comes up is how notes are taken for all students in the Glendale Union High School District, including Orlando. Typically, notes are entered onto Ms. Karter’s computer after a student is seen, and they are put into a system that every teacher and social worker in the district uses. Not enough information has been reported at this time about how, but it has been discussed with Ms. Karter that other individuals that utilize this software could theoretically read her notes on the students she sees. Because of this, she tries to keep her notes as vague as possible, in order to maintain student confidentiality. This ethical issue has been addressed by how notes have been entered into the system,

In order to spread important information rapidly, information at times may be said in front of individuals it is not pertinent to, unintentionally putting confidentiality on the line. This staff does not include the school social worker or the social work interns, but if they did use walkie- talkies to convey information, they would be as mindful as possible by noting their environment, such as who is around them. As well, they may opt for a more personal environment with face- to- face communication, they way they know who is directly receiving it. Again, as little information as possible would be shared in order to maintain

Additionally, the district also has a Student Handbook, which contains more specific policies, and policies that apply to all of the schools within the Glendale Union High School District. Policies stated in this handbook may not be covered in the school handbook, and if so, the district policy is referred to instead. Examples of this can be seen with the lack of athletic eligibility policy, honors and AP courses policy, and academic integrity (plagiarism) policy in the Northern Academy handbook, and therefore district policy would rule (Glendale Union High School District,