Ethical Dilemma Case

Study 5
Yuliana Morales
Valerie villasenor
 The case
WEAPONS AT SCHOOL

The school you work at has very specific guidelines on rules regarding students
bringing weapons or items that could be perceived as weapons to school. You are
called into the administrative office because one of the 9th grade students, George, came
to school with a martial arts (nunchucks) type weapon. He is facing suspension, but
explains that his mom told him to bring it to school because he goes through some
unsafe neighborhoods to get to school.

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 1.
Define the problem emotionally and
intellectually

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Logical Perspective
“ Emotional Perspective
- Weapons are against school policy
- Does mom truly know about nunchucks?
How did she get them?
- Is he in martial arts?
- May harm himself (if he doesn’t know
how to use them) or others
- Weapon can get stolen
- Unsafe neighborhoods, bigger issues at
large
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- What has happened that the family fears for
the George’s safety and would give him a
weapon to defend himself?
- Suspensions have academic impacts and
potential criminal consequences
- If suspended, George may feel defenseless,
powerless or penalized
- Parents may feel unsupported
 2.
Apply the ASCA and ACA ethical
codes and laws

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 “
ASCA code of Ethics
ED Code
- B.2. d. Responsibility to the
- Section 48900
school
- A.9. Serious and Foreseeable
Harm to Self and Others
- A.10. Underserved and At-
risk Populations

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 3.
Considering chronological and
developmental levels

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Chronological:
George is in 9th grade, so he is probably around 14 years old.

Developmental:
According to piaget, george is in the formal operational stage. This means george’s
reasoning is more abstract, idealistic and logical. He sees danger and knows he has
to protect himself. He might also feel empowered to defend himself by the fact his
mother gave him the nunchucks. Probably does not know the law.

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 4.
Considering the setting,
parental/guardian rights and minor’s
rights

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 Parental
Minor’s Right Rights
Setting
“Parents/guardians do
not have the right to
Disadvantage keep us from checking
Community on the welfare of their
Confidentiality
child.” (Stone, 2017)

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 5.
Apply the moral principles

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NONMALEFICENCE: We have to think about the safety of all students.

JUSTICE: George also deserves to feel safe. He states it is for self-defense and hasn’t threatened anyone.

BENEFICENCE: We have to make sure George feels safe at school and while getting home. We also want to
prevent George slipping into the school to prison pipeline through suspension or criminal charges.

LOYALTY/FIDELITY: We should advocate for the student to avoid suspension or charges and create ways for
him to get home safely.

AUTONOMY: He can’t have a choice to have a weapon in school, it is against school policy.

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 6.
Determine your potential courses of
action and their consequences

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 Option 1:
Tell the students not to
bring the nunchuck to
school again or his going
to be in trouble. Let him
go about his day.
Pro: The student doesn’t get in
trouble, nothing will be written
in his record
Con: He continues to bring the
weapon to school and someone
can get harm
Option 2:
Suspend the student
from school.
Pro: The student will
understand there is
consequences for his actions
Con: The mom might get
upset with us thinking that it
is not the student fault
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Option 3:
Give a warning, confiscate
the weapon and provide
resources (e.g., buddy
system, discounted bus
pass) and counseling.
Pro: The student won’t have
anything on his record, The
student will feel safe walking
home.
 7.
Evaluate the selected action

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 Option 3

- George feels supported

- Other students aren’t put in jeopardy.
- Avoid school to prison pipeline

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 8.
consult

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Who Should We Consult With?

- Admin

- SRO (school resources office)

- CPS

- School Attorney

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 9.
Implement the course of action

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Confiscate Weapon and Set up a counseling Find Community Resources for
Give George a warning appointment with George George and other families around
safety in unsafe communities
1 3 5

2 4 6

Call Mom let her know she
has to pick up nunchucks
and are against school
policy as well as that
George will have counseling
Collaborate with RSO and Create a buddy system
admin for safe ways to get for the whole school
George and other students
home
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