Thoughtfully Resolving Ethical Dilemmas in School Settings

Purpose: Professionals are often confronted with scenarios that may challenge our service delivery, inter/intraprofessional relationships, and/or sense of well-being. Such situations may present ethical, legal, and moral dilemmas. This article discusses a thoughtful approach to resolving challenging ethical situations that facilitates a positive outcome. Method/Approach: Using a model for resolving ethical dilemmas and applying it to a common school-based situation, this article provides the reader with a method for gathering information and thinking through options for the resolution of difficult situations. Conclusions: A stepwise approach that gathers and considers information can resolve ethical challenges. By ensuring that sufficient information is gathered for a full understanding of the situation and the ethical principles involved and that resources are studied to guide ideas for resolution, it is more probable that an approach will be selected to resolve the situation, minimize unintended consequences, and enhance the likelihood that the situation will not repeat itself. Implication for Practice: Professionals can use a decision-making model when facing ethical challenges, a model that guides a deliberative decision-making process and enables them to abide by the principles of the code of ethics.