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Ethical Decision Making In Ethical Decision Making In Education: Utilizing The Education: Utilizing The

Ways of Knowing through Ways of Knowing through the Realms of Meaningthe Realms of Meaning

William Allan Kritsonis, William Allan Kritsonis, PhDPhD

ProfessorProfessorPhD Program in Educational PhD Program in Educational

LeadershipLeadershipPrairie View A&M UniversityPrairie View A&M University

The Texas A&M University SystemThe Texas A&M University System

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Ways of Knowing through the Realms Ways of Knowing through the Realms of Meaningof Meaning

The six realms cover the range of possible The six realms cover the range of possible meanings that comprise the basic competencies meanings that comprise the basic competencies that general education should develop in every that general education should develop in every person. A person. A complete personcomplete person should be skilled in should be skilled in the use of speech, symbol, and gesture the use of speech, symbol, and gesture (Symbolics), factually well informed (Empirics), (Symbolics), factually well informed (Empirics), capable of creating and appreciating objects of capable of creating and appreciating objects of esthetic significance (Esthetics), endowed with esthetic significance (Esthetics), endowed with a rich and disciplined life in relation to self and a rich and disciplined life in relation to self and others (Synnoetics), able to make wise others (Synnoetics), able to make wise decisions and to judge between right and wrong decisions and to judge between right and wrong (Ethics), and possessed an integal outlook (Ethics), and possessed an integal outlook (Synoptics). These are the aims of general (Synoptics). These are the aims of general education for the development of whole education for the development of whole persons. (Kritsonis, 2007, p. 15)persons. (Kritsonis, 2007, p. 15)

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Caring/KindnessCaring/Kindness GenerosityGenerosityToleranceToleranceCitizenshipCitizenshipInitiativeInitiative ConfidenceConfidenceCooperationCooperation LoyaltyLoyaltyCourageCourage PatiencePatienceDependability/ReliabilityDependability/Reliability RespectRespectPerseverancePerseverance FairnessFairnessResponsibilityResponsibility HonestyHonestyTrustTrust LoveLove

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ResponsibilityResponsibility““The Realm of The Realm of ethicsethics is concerned is concerned with active personal commitment” with active personal commitment” (Kritsonis, 2007).(Kritsonis, 2007).

Responsibility entails:Responsibility entails:DependabilityDependability

Initiative Initiative AssertivenessAssertiveness

Self-ConfidenceSelf-ConfidenceDesire to ExcelDesire to Excel

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TrustTrust

Trust is building confidence through Trust is building confidence through teamwork and open communication.teamwork and open communication.

Trust facilitates cooperation and promotes Trust facilitates cooperation and promotes cohesiveness.cohesiveness.

Trust is built by behavior that is Trust is built by behavior that is considerate, supportive, and collegial.considerate, supportive, and collegial.

““Trust is like air; no one thinks much about Trust is like air; no one thinks much about it until it is needed and is not there” (Hoy & it until it is needed and is not there” (Hoy & Miskel, 2005).Miskel, 2005).

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Professional DevelopmentProfessional Development

One who reads widely, attend workshops One who reads widely, attend workshops and conferences, member of professional and conferences, member of professional associations, consult with colleagues, self-associations, consult with colleagues, self-reflection.reflection.

SynnoeticsSynnoetics: Ongoing commitment towards : Ongoing commitment towards human association with concern as well as human association with concern as well as seeking the well-being of others.seeking the well-being of others.

Searching for insight and training into Searching for insight and training into educational issues.educational issues.

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Effective Interpersonal Effective Interpersonal SkillsSkills

Develops strong binding interpersonal skills Develops strong binding interpersonal skills with students, parents and colleagues= with students, parents and colleagues= trust between all members. (Kritsonis, trust between all members. (Kritsonis, 2007)2007)

SymbolicsSymbolics: Symbolizes a way for individuals : Symbolizes a way for individuals to experience meaning through to experience meaning through communication.communication.

Effective communication derives from the Effective communication derives from the principle that language is a source of power principle that language is a source of power expressing various experiences of each expressing various experiences of each individual.individual.

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Environment of CareEnvironment of Care Responsibility of educators to build care Responsibility of educators to build care

and compassion with the community. and compassion with the community. (Kritsonis, 2007)(Kritsonis, 2007)

SynopticsSynoptics: A school environment of care : A school environment of care values all members’ individual feelings and values all members’ individual feelings and emotions into one synopsis or single vision.emotions into one synopsis or single vision.

Educators have to make a conscious Educators have to make a conscious decision to study our past mistakes, care decision to study our past mistakes, care for others, at the same time accommodate for others, at the same time accommodate to the needs of the organization and the to the needs of the organization and the community.community.

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Protect the Rights of Protect the Rights of StakeholdersStakeholders

Educators have a responsibility to protect Educators have a responsibility to protect and respect students’ individuality and and respect students’ individuality and acknowledge their right to make choices for acknowledge their right to make choices for themselves. (Kritsonis, 2007)themselves. (Kritsonis, 2007)

EthicsEthics: These beliefs and choices of what is : These beliefs and choices of what is right and wrong lay the foundation for our right and wrong lay the foundation for our civilization and culture.civilization and culture.

In order to demonstrate a sincere respect In order to demonstrate a sincere respect for each student’s self-worth, educators for each student’s self-worth, educators need to listen to students and consider need to listen to students and consider their views.their views.

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Self-EvaluationSelf-Evaluation In order to self-reflect, choices can be In order to self-reflect, choices can be

determined to be good or bad, better or determined to be good or bad, better or worse, depending on how caring is worse, depending on how caring is demonstrated from all members.demonstrated from all members.(Kritsonis, 2007)(Kritsonis, 2007)

EthicsEthics: Belief that everyone has the logic to : Belief that everyone has the logic to make the right choices and decisions, and if make the right choices and decisions, and if one fails, he/she gains a sense of guilt from one fails, he/she gains a sense of guilt from within him/herself.within him/herself.

School community’s policies cannot be School community’s policies cannot be ethical, only individuals can make decisions ethical, only individuals can make decisions that take into consideration the policies that that take into consideration the policies that apply to a certain situation or circumstance. apply to a certain situation or circumstance. (Kritsonis, 2007)(Kritsonis, 2007)

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Ethical Decision Making to Ethical Decision Making to Improve Academic Improve Academic

AchievementAchievement Appropriate Scope of StudyAppropriate Scope of Study

Maximize Meanings Through MasteryMaximize Meanings Through Mastery

Curriculum Should be Broad and DiverseCurriculum Should be Broad and Diverse

Curriculum Should Provide MeaningCurriculum Should Provide Meaning

Attain MasteryAttain Mastery

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Appropriate Scope of Appropriate Scope of StudyStudy

According to Kritsonis (2007): According to Kritsonis (2007):

The scope of study should include unique The scope of study should include unique personality of the student, social and personality of the student, social and cultural context, and available resources.cultural context, and available resources.

Requires careful planning and ethical Requires careful planning and ethical decision making.decision making.

““High standards” – students are expected High standards” – students are expected to reach a predetermined bar.to reach a predetermined bar.

Implement creativity and individuality.Implement creativity and individuality.

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Maximize Meanings Maximize Meanings Through MasteryThrough Mastery

Fulfillment lies within mastery and the Fulfillment lies within mastery and the depth of understanding.depth of understanding.

Curriculum should be relevant to all.Curriculum should be relevant to all.

Ultimate goal should be intensity of Ultimate goal should be intensity of knowledge.knowledge.

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Curriculum Should be Curriculum Should be Broad and DiverseBroad and Diverse

Students should gain an understanding in a Students should gain an understanding in a variety of fields.variety of fields.

Competence should be gained in a number Competence should be gained in a number of different activities.of different activities.

Use connection between culture, Use connection between culture, curriculum, home, and school to promote curriculum, home, and school to promote academic achievement.academic achievement.

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Attaining MasteryAttaining Mastery

The following elements are needed inThe following elements are needed inhelping students reach their mastery goal:helping students reach their mastery goal:

A healthy, safe learning environment.A healthy, safe learning environment.

Encouraging and caring environment.Encouraging and caring environment.

High standards of academic High standards of academic achievement.achievement.

Focus on students’ individual needs.Focus on students’ individual needs.(O’Neal, 2004)(O’Neal, 2004)

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Why Should School Communities have Codes

of Ethics?

•Promote honorable behavior.

•Provide a basis for ethical behavior.

•Ensure effective operation.

•Morally ethical decisions.

Ethics is Everybody’s Business. (Kritsonis, 2007)

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Confidentiality and Integrity

•Educators should not disclose confidential information unless obligated to do so by law.

•Educators should not use confidential information for advantageous gain.

•Educators should avoid activities which could impede performance of job duties in an ethical manner.

•Educators should refuse gifts, favors, or hospitality that would influence or would appear to influence another’s actions.

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Professional Certification Educators’ should…

•Maintain a level of competence.

•Seek knowledge.

•Develop and improve skills.

•Perform duties in accordance with laws, rules, and regulations.

•Prepare appropriately.

•Use only relevant and reliable information.

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Financial Fraud•Funds must be used appropriately and for intended purposes.

•A system should be in place to ensure financial honesty.

•Someone not directly related to the organization should assist in the monitoring financial spending.

•Rules, regulations, and consequences must be in place that are not negotiable. (Martin, 2004)

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What are the What are the consequences of showing consequences of showing

unjustified favoritism unjustified favoritism within and educational within and educational

organization?organization?

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Creates disenchantment and dissension Creates disenchantment and dissension among members and supporters.among members and supporters.

Informal Groups are created which results in Informal Groups are created which results in a negative and unproductive climate.a negative and unproductive climate.

Leaders are not supported or trusted.Leaders are not supported or trusted.

There should be acknowledged moral There should be acknowledged moral leaders, to whom many look for moral leaders, to whom many look for moral direction, guidance and inspiration. direction, guidance and inspiration. (Kritsonis, 2007)(Kritsonis, 2007)

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ReferencesReferencesHoy, W. K., & Miskel, C. G. (2005). Hoy, W. K., & Miskel, C. G. (2005). Educational administration. Educational administration. New New

York, NY:York, NY: McGraw Hill. McGraw Hill.

Kritsonis, W. A. (2007). Kritsonis, W. A. (2007). Ways of knowing through the realms of Ways of knowing through the realms of meaningmeaning. Oxford, England: Oxford Round Table.. Oxford, England: Oxford Round Table.

Martin, J. (2004, December). Martin, J. (2004, December). The relationship between principals, The relationship between principals, ethics, and campus ratings.ethics, and campus ratings. Retrieved from Retrieved from http://proquest.umi.com.ezproxy.tamu.eduhttp://proquest.umi.com.ezproxy.tamu.edu

O’Neal, S. (2004). Individualized instruction for improved student O’Neal, S. (2004). Individualized instruction for improved student achievement education’s ‘holy grail’. achievement education’s ‘holy grail’. The JournalThe Journal. Retrieved from . Retrieved from

http://thejournal.com/the/printarticle/?id=16635http://thejournal.com/the/printarticle/?id=16635