Recognising and Addressing an Ethical Dilemma

The first part of this document looks at 2 ways of approaching ethical dilemmas as presented by Nash (1991), and Kidder (1995). The second part examines a range of personal teaching based dilemmas through the different lenses these model provide. The 2004 edition of the Collins English Dictionary defines Ethical as in accordance with principles of conduct that are considered correct, esp those of a given profession or group.

Three Conceptions of Ethics for Teacher Education, Nash 1991

Nash proposes 3 inter-related ways in which ethical dilemmas can be approached.

1. Rules/Principles This model is based on procedures and considers: Autonomy respect the self-determined rights of others Non-maleficence - do no harm Beneficence promote good Justice equality and rights, fairness

This model also includes: Non-consequentialism take the right action regardless of the consequences

Consequentialism do what will result in the best consequences

2. Character/Structure This model is content rich based on morals and communities and considers: Motives Intentions Ideals Feelings

3. Beliefs/Ideals This model is based on the individuals on consciousness and looks at the deeper meaning and thinking involved in moral dilemmas.

How Good People Make Tough Choices: Resolving the Dilemmas of Ethical Living, Kidder, 1995

Kidder identifies 3 elements underpinning ethics: Nonmaleficence - do no harm Beneficence promote good Justice equality and rights, fairness

He identifies 2 types of ethical decision making: 1. Moral Temptation - right vs. wrong The wrong can be in the form of unlawfulness, immorality or untruthfulness. Decisions about right v.s. wrong can be made initially by examining what is lawful and secondly by applying the following tests: Stench Test: does your gut reaction say it is wrong? Front Page Test: how would you feel if your private decision went public? Mom Test: consider your decision from the point of view of someone important to you

2. Ethical Dilemma right v.s. right Kidder considers 4 models to explain ethical dilemmas:

Truth v.s. Loyalty - adherence to the facts or loyalty to the person, organisation or set of ideals Individual v.s. Community each person working for their own interests v.s. needs of the majority Short Term v.s. Long Term satisfaction of current needs v.s. future needs or interest Justice v.s. Mercy principles/rules/ fairness v.s. needs of the individual/compassion

Resolution Principles Kidder identifies 3 principles by which dilemmas can be resolved: 1. Ends Based do whatever results in the greatest good for the greatest number 2. Rules Based adhere to rules/principles 3. Care Based love/compassion for others Decision Making He proposes a nine step decision making process: 1. What is the moral issue? 2. Who does the problem belong to? 3. What are the appropriate facts? 4. Does it involve right v.s. wrong? 5. Does it involve right v.s. right? 6. Which resolution principle is most acceptable? 7. Is there a 3rd option providing a win-win outcome? (trilemma) 8. Make a decision 9. Revise and reflect on the decision

Personal Dilemmas examined through each of these models

1. I have grave concerns about the suitability of a student teacher on his first teaching placement. There is no tutor observation during the 3 week placement. Should I simply complete the student placement observation book as required by the university or do I make an appointment to discuss with the tutor aspects of my concerns that I have not made explicit either in these records or to the student himself. Kidder Stench Test Gut reaction is a responsibility to share observations with the tutor enabling a fuller understanding before the students placement appraisal interview and to inform her to choice for the students next placement. Front Page Test In addition other teachers in the school who have had the student in their class for short periods of time have shared concerns about him with me so I have no concern sharing my actions with these particular colleagues. Ethical Dilemma Individual v.s. Community Resolution Principle Ends Based Nash Character/ Structure: motives, feelings Beliefs/Ideals 2. A trainee Teacher Aide is working with a student with ASD as part of a placement for moderate to high learning needs. After 4 weeks, of 2 mornings a week, the student is still unsettled in the TAs presence and there is no sign of a relationship developing. Is this having too much of a detrimental effect on the child in these sessions or is it a part of a valuable ongoing learning experience for the TA? Whose needs do I put first? Kidder Stench Test Gut reaction is the child would perform better without the TA but I have a responsibility to provide quality professional development, advice and guidance to the TA as an individual wanting to join the teaching profession. Front Page Test I would feel uncomfortable if I asked for the TA to be placed in a different class and it became common knowledge beyond the school as this would be detrimental to this individuals self-efficacy. Ethical Dilemma lndividual v.s. community the individual being the TA the community being the child with ASD, her class and her family Resolution Principle Care Based Nash Rule/Principles: non-maleficence Character/ Structure: motives, feelings

3. The attendance of ASD students at fortnightly whole school assemblies is raising concerns amongst their teachers. Many of these children attend with their TA and find it hard to stay still for so long and are easily distressed by the large number of children in the hall, the noise and the clapping. Would it be better use of the TA and the childs time to be doing some alternative activity in this slot or is this against the school ethos of inclusion? Kidder Stench Test Gut reaction is that it is unfair to the children to put them in an environment which causes them anxiety with no immediately apparent gains Front Page Test I would be comfortable standing by my convictions if the children were no longer required to attend assemblies Mom Test People who know me well and are important to me would understand and empathise with my concerns Ethical Dilemma Justice v.s. Mercy: the principles of the school v.s. the needs of the individual children Resolution Principle Ends Based: alternative activities during this assembly time would be beneficial to the children and good use of teacher aide time Nash Rule/Principles: non-maleficence, autonomy, beneficence Character/ Structure: motives, feelings Beliefs/Ideals 4. It is the start of the school year and I have concerns over 2 special needs children leaving the classroom on an almost daily basis and my leaving the class unattended to retrieve them or having to phone the office to ask someone to look for them. Do I leave the class unattended or let the child run off into a potentially dangerous situation whilst waiting for help to be found? Kidder Stench Test/Front Page Test I would not want families in the class knowing I was leaving their children unattended and my internal moral code tells me I should remain in class and trust other school staff to retrieve these children in a compassionate manner. Moral Dilemma Individual v.s Community: someone else can retrieve the individual child whilst I continue teaching the class Resolution Principle Ends Based: better to remain with the class than to go after one child if help is available from the school office. Nash Rule/Principles: justice (it is unfair to leave the other children Character/ Structure: motives, feelings Beliefs/Ideals

5. A number of parents from the previous year have voiced their concerns to me about their childrens current teacher. My syndicate leader is aware of these complaints as she too has been approached by parents from her previous class. Despite this a challenging child with ASD has been placed in this class for the following year and the teacher in question has been approached by the Principle to take on the role as mentor teacher to 2 provisionally registered teachers. Do I voice my concerns to senior management or accept their decisions? Kidder Stench Test/Front Page Test/Mom Test My gut reaction was that the Principal needed to be aware of these complaints but I would feel bad if it were to become common knowledge that I had been to him about this. People close to me also felt the same way so effectively the dilemma passes 2 out of the 3 tests. Moral Dilemma Truth v.s. loyalty: the loyalty being to the schools senior management team Resolution Principle Rules based: accept that senior management are making the correct decision. Nash Rule/Principles: autonomy of Principal Character/ Structure: ideals, feelings, intentions Beliefs/Ideals 6. Whilst working over seas a colleague from my school asked me to write her a reference for a job at a nearby school. I felt she had good grounds for moving schools and was happy to provide a reference. However, the Principle had specified that references could only be given by her and no other member of staff. Do I provide the reference or not? Stench Test/Front Page Test/The Mom Test/Legal Test As a large percentage of the staff were unhappy with conditions at the school and values of the principal a decision to supply the reference would pass all of the kidder tests. Moral Dilemma Justice v.s. Mercy: conflict between the directive from the Principal and the reasons/suitability for the teacher to seek employment else where Resolution Principle Care Based: Putting the friendship and respect for the teacher first Nash Character/ Structure: ideals, feelings, intentions Beliefs/Ideals

Discussion
By definition an ethical dilemma does not have a clear right or wrong solution. The models put forward by Kidder and Nash provide a framework to navigate through this difficult terrain. However, as teachers and professionals in education we also need to refer to our relevant professional Codes of Ethics. These, although not explicit guides in themselves, provide explanations of the reasoning behind the thinking used, and the choices made in resolving dilemmas (ONeill, 2007).

References
Allen, K. (n.d.). What Is an Ethical Dilemma? Retrieved September 2013, from The New Social Worker Online: http://www.socialworker.com/home/Feature_Articles/Ethics/What_Is_an_Ethical_Dile mma?/ How good people make tough choices: Resolving the dilemmas of ethical living by Rushworth Kidder. Summary of major concepts. (n.d.). Retrieved September 2013, from http://ssbea.mercer.edu/blanke/Summary%20of%20How%20Good%20People%20Make %20Tough%20Choices.pdf Nash, R. J. (1991). Three conceptions of ethics for teacher educators. Journal of Teacher Education, 42(3), 163-172. Retrieved from http://jte.sagepub.com/content/42/3/163.abstract O'Neill, J. (2007). The application of ethics to teaching dilemmas. Retrieved September 2013, from http://specialistteaching.net.nz/file.php/83/1_Reflective_Ethical_Practice/oNeill_2007. pdf