Standard 6: Professional Ethics and Legal Mandates
The program provides candidates with opportunities and experiences to display an
understanding of professional codes of ethics and current legal mandates, as well
as an awareness of the range of legal issues, such as statutory regulatory, and
case law affecting the delivery of pupil services. The program requires candidates
to demonstrate the ability to access information about legal and ethical matters.
1. Laws and Regulations Pertaining to Children and Families
All candidates demonstrate familiarity with laws and regulations pertaining to children
and families, such as child abuse and neglect reporting laws, client confidentiality,
attendance and truancy laws, and federal and state mandates related to special education
in the following courses:
*Psychology 277 Role and Function of the School Psychologist
o Historical Perspectives - Session 2
o Future - Session 3
o Legal Issues - Session 20
o Special Education Case Law - Session 21
o Special Education Law - Session 22
o Special Education Law - Session 23
Psychology 284 - Assessment of Intellectual Abilities
o Learning Objectives-3
o Standards & Ethics- Session 3
Psychology 285 - Assessment of Learning & Behavior Problems
o Review of Legal and Ethical Considerations in Assessment -
Sessions 3
o Special Education Eligibility-Session 5
*Psychology 267 - Internship in School Psychology
o Reading/Topic/Discussion: Legal and Ethical Issues on Professional
Relationships - Session 6 - Fall Semester
o Topic: Legal Updates - Session 9,10
2. Advocate for Children
All candidates demonstrate knowledge and skills to effectively advocate for children,
families, and school staff to ensure that the spirit and intent of relevant laws and
legal mandates are maintained in the following courses:
Psychology 277 - Role and Function of the School Psychologist
o Roles: Cognitive Assessment- Session 10
o Roles: Assessment of Adaptive Behavior- Session 11
o Roles: Academic Assessment- Session 12- 13
o Roles: Assessment of Emotional Disorders- Session 14
o Roles: Consultation- Session 15
o Roles: Prevention- Session 17
o Legal Issues- Session 20
o Special Education Case Law- Session 21, 22, 23
o Ethical Issues- Session 24
Psychology 279 - Consultation and Supervision
o System Consultation-Session 23
o Home - School Collaboration Continued; Conjoint Behavior Consultation - Session
26
o Ethical and Legal Issues & Supervision- Session 27
Psychology 284 - Assessment of Intellectual Abilities
o Learning Objectives - 1,2
o Standards & Ethics - Session-3
*Psychology 267 - Internship in School Psychology
o Goal 2,5,9,14- Fall Semester
o Reading/Topic: Williams, Armistead, & Jacob (2008). Review of ethics (pp.1-28);
Professional competency (pp. 23-26)- Session 3
o Goal 2,5,9,14- Spring Semester Psych_267Spring
o Technology and Ethical Issues- Session 22
o Community Mental Health Resources. Guest: Bill Stout, FCOE/Tielman-
Session 29
o Topic: Crisis Intervention- Session 30
3. Informed of Changes in Laws
Each candidate demonstrates the ability to keep informed of changes in laws and regulations
related to California public education in the following courses:
*Psychology 277 - Role and Function of the School Psychologist
o Historical Perspectives - Session 2
o Future- Session 3
o Legal Issues - Session 20
o Special Education Case Law - Session 21
o Special Education Law - Session 22
o Special Education Law - Session 23
Psychology 287 - Practicum in School Psychology
o Outcomes and Goals 1-7 1st Year/Fall Semester
o Relation of school psychology and special education: Q &A - Session 2
o Outcomes and Goals- 1-10 1st Year/ Spring Semester
o Eligibility Review: Mental Retardation - Session 8
o Eligibility Review: Specific Learning Disability - Session 9
o Eligibility Review: Emotional Disorder - Session 12
o Outcomes and Goals - 1-8 2nd Year/ Fall Semester
o Outcome and Goals - 1-10 2nd Year/ Spring Semester
o Course description - Pg. 1
o IEP practice: Proving information on parent rights and explaining results with
a normal curve - Session 3
*Psychology 267 - Internship in School Psychology
o Legal and Ethical Issues on Professional Relationships - Session 6 - Fall Semester
o Topic: Legal Updates - Session 9,10
o Goal 1 - Spring Semester
o Technology and Ethical Issues - Session 22
Psychology 285 - Assessment of Learning and Developmental Problems
o Review of Legal and Ethical Considerations in Assessment- Session 3
o Special Education Eligibility - Session 5
4. Ethical Conflicts
Candidates effectively demonstrate the ability to recognize and evaluate potential
ethical conflicts that arise within the school setting in practicum and internship
experiences. Candidates complete a minimum of 500 hours of practicum during their
first two years in the program and a minimum of 1200 hours of internship during their
third year in the program. Candidates inform practicum and internship field-based
supervisors as well as faculty supervisors when they experience such conflicts. In
addition, specific issues are addressed in the following courses:
*Psychology 277 - Role and Function of the School Psychologist
o Demographics- Session 4
Psychology 287 - Practicum in School Psychology
o Outcomes and Goals 1-7 - 1st Year/ Fall Semester
o Outcomes and Goals- 1-10 - 1st Year/ Spring Semester
o Outcomes and Goals- 1-8 - 2nd Year/ Fall Semester
o Outcome and Goals- 1-10 - 2nd Year/ Spring Semester
*Psychology 267 - Internship in School Psychology
o Goal 1- Fall Semester
o Goal 1,3,6- Spring Semester
o Technology and Ethical Issues - Session 22
5. Appropriate Options
Candidates demonstrate knowledge of the appropriate options to be pursued when confronted
with ethical dilemmas in the following courses:
Psychology 277 - Role and Function of the School Psychologist
o Legal Issues- Session 20
o Special Education Law- Session 22
o Special Education Law- Session 23
o Ethical Issues- Session 24
Psychology 287 - Practicum in School Psychology
o Outcomes and Goals 1-7 - 1st Year/ Fall Semester
o Outcomes and Goals- 1-10 - 1st Year/ Spring Semester
o Outcomes and Goals- 1-8 - 2nd Year/ Fall Semester
o Outcome and Goals- 1-10 - 2nd Year/ Spring Semester
*Psychology 267 - Internship in School Psychology
o Goal 1 - Fall Semester
o Reading/Topic: Williams, Armistead, & Jacob (2008). Review of ethics (pp.1 -28);
Professional competency (pp. 23-26) - Session 3
o Legal and Ethical Issues on Professional Relationships- Session 6
o Topic: Legal Updates - Session 9,10
o Goal 1- Spring Semester
6. Due Process
Candidates demonstrate knowledge of the implications and legal applications of due
process in the following courses:
*Psychology 277 - Role and Function of the School Psychologist
o Legal Issues - Session 20
o Special Education Case Law - Session 21
o Special Education Law - Session 22
o Special Education Law - Session 23
o Ethical Issues- Session 24
Psychology 267 - Internship in School Psychology
o Legal and Ethical Issues on Professional Relationships - Session 6 - Fall Semester
o Topic: Legal Updates - Session 9,10
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