Leading StaffWord limit – 3500 wordsAssessment 2: Ethical leadership dilemmaAssessment rationaleYou will explore emerging understandings of ethical leadership and decision-making, codes of behaviour...

Leading Staff

Word limit – 3500 words

Assessment 2: Ethical leadership dilemma

Assessment rationale

You will explore emerging understandings of ethical leadership and decision-making, codes of behaviour and conduct, and ethical decision-making models and processes in the context of making ethical decisions, before applying these to a series of real-world scenario’s. Educational leaders have a moral obligation to society, the profession, governing bodies, students, and staff. They often find that it is unclear what is the right or wrong course of action andwhat one ought to or ought not to do. This assessment will allow you to explore this concept.

Instructions

This assessment consists of three parts:

Part A - Short written paper approximately 800 to 1000 words (+/- 10%)

In the context of making ethical decisions, Hall XXXXXXXXXXsuggests that the key question when posed with ethical decisions and dilemmas is “What ought I to do, all things considered”. What do School Leaders need to consider when making ethical decisions?
Discuss this statement by way of a review of your emerging understanding of ethical leadership and decision making, codes of behaviour and conduct, and ethical decision-making models and processes.

Part B and Part C - Case Study 1 and 2 approximately 1250 words for each case (+/- 10%)

The purpose of Part B and C of Assessment 2 is for students to employ an appropriate ethical decision-making model to consider scenario-based dilemmas. At the end of this assessment, students should be able to consider the scenarios and pose the question “What ought I do, all things considered?”

Case study (1- 7)

Assignment Two - Ethical Leadership The Dilemmas Challenge

Scenario 1

Mary is a well-respected member of staff who is ambitious

She has been at the school for 5 years and has contributed well

She wishes to take up a position at a local university on a 12 month secondment to pursue a research project The university are very keen to have her

But she will be hard to replace. The Head of Department (HOD) does not want her to go

Some parents have complained that their children will miss out if she leaves even for 12 months

Scenario 2

A young teacher is lazy, poorly prepared and often late for school. They have few traits of a good teacher

A number of parents have complained and are concerned about their children’s progress

The young teacher cares for their elderly mother and needs the job

Your Deputy wants to get rid of them as soon as possible

The young teacher has never really been appropriately mentored, as the HOD is also lazy and has somewhat neglected the younger teacher

Scenario 3

A number of staff have complained about the lack of direction and plans for the future of the Science department from the HOD

The curriculum is dated, resources are poorly managed and guidance to staff is minimal

Staff are close to ‘challenging’ the HOD and come to you for direction and support

You are aware of the situation and have been for some time. But the HOD has been a loyal colleague and provides very sound advice more broadly in the school

They are a valued colleague who is tired and bored, but you do not have another role for them in the school

Scenario 4

A parent has turned up at school to complain about your partner / close friend / family member who teaches at the school

They have some very serious claims, but are reluctant to give you the details due to the sensitivity of your relationship with the teacher

They demand action, before they goes to the local press

Scenario 5

A teaching practice student is at the school for a term long ‘prac’

Their first week is outstanding – potentially the best student teacher the school has ever had!

At the beginning of week two, a parent comes to you to complain about the student teacher

They have found ‘old’ social media evidence that the student was previously a drummer in a band, and that there are a number of videos still available that demonstrate some morally questionable representations of a graphic nature

The parent is adamant that the student teacher should be removed, and that they will contact the Education department and possibly the press if this is not done

The student teacher continues to perform well

Scenario 6

You are the Principal of a mid-size Primary school. One of your two Deputy Principal (Deputy 1) has recently taken up a promotional position at a larger school. They will be leaving very soon, and you intend to run an internal process to appoint a candidate from the current staff for the remainder of the year.

At the end of the year a full external competitive process will advertised. The internal candidate will be well positioned to apply for the ongoing position at that time.

You have found out that your other Deputy Principal (Deputy 2) recently went on a private holiday with another member of staff and encouraged them to apply for the role. You have also become aware, from a mis directed email, that specific and advantageous information related to the role has been passed on by Deputy 2 to the colleague that they are encouraging.

Deputy 2 is an outstanding operator and has been instrumental in major school improvement across several years. They are much respected and highly regarded outside the school, such that they have been subject to several offers for promotional positions by other schools. They have however stayed loyal to your school and remain a vital cog in the school’s operations.

Scenario 7

Reduced funding arrangements mean that you must begin to make some cuts to extracurricular activities across the school.

The Annual Sports Captains camp and / or Art Exhibition are likely to be impacted in one shape or another, with one almost certain to go.

You are already beginning to get lobbied by various parents whose children are involved in the different activities. One specific parent has offered to provide financial help to the Art Exhibition, based on the proviso that it continues. Unfortunately, the amount offered, while substantial, is not sufficient to offset all cost, but there is no doubt it would help.

You have received not such support for the Annual Sport Captains camp

You will select 2 scenarios from the choice of 7 in the above 'Case studies' document (1 scenario for Part B and 1 scenario for Part C). Carefully read the ‘Real-life dilemma’ in each of your two chosen scenarios and respond to the following questions:

What is your ethical decision/solution to the dilemma?

• Describe the process that you have followed to come to your decision.


• Reflect:




• What’s the rationale for the decision?


• What are the contributing factors?


• What is your reasoning?

(You are welcome to employ one of the EDM––Ethical decision-making models––introduced in Week 5 or source another one.)

Note:Your answer ‘can’ be supplemented by other resources to support your answer and to illustrate your thinking (should you wish) – for example, mind maps or diagrams.

Learning outcomes

By completing this task, you will demonstrate that you are able to:

• recognise and understand attributes of an ethical leader


• analyse decision-making models


• apply ethical decision-making practices


• analyse and manage staff behaviour within an ethical decision-making framework


• critique common educational leadership strategies and practices in the field in light of current evidence-based research


• analyse situational challenges in their school and context and make apply rational decision-making


• develop problem-solving and decision-making skills


• provide empathic responses.

Resources

Use APA 7th Referencing in this assessment. Refer to theECU referencing guidesfor assistance.

Marking criteria

• 
  Criteria XXXXXXXXXXMarks):Develop a well-structured argument that draws on your emerging knowledge of legal/policy parameters and theoretical frameworks


• 
  Criteria XXXXXXXXXXMarks):Use of appropriate academic language: academic writing and APA referencing


• 
  Criteria XXXXXXXXXXMarks):Clear and concisely articulated decision/process and rationale

For more information, refer to the rubric below or in your downloaded Assessment brief.