7.1 (7K1B, 7S5C): Ability to participate as a member of the educational team when requested to attend conferences with families or primary caregivers, with an understanding of some of the concerns of parents.
7.2 (7S1B): Ability to use ethical practices for confidential communication about students.

Introduction

Parents are the only persons who will always be on their individual child's educational team. Their commitment is usually life-long, not school-year-long. Parents have an intimate and close knowledge of their child that the teacher or paraprofessional, no matter how committed and observant, cannot possibly possess. Respect for that parent-child relationship should always remain in the forefront of service delivery. It is important to always maintain sensitivity to the concerns of the parent of the child with learning needs (www.pacer.org, 2001).

In dealing with parents, families and school personnel, paraprofessionals need to have an awareness of confidentiality principles and rules. There are ethical practices for confidential communication about the students you will be working with. You must be aware of these rules, laws and practices, especially since you will be participating in formal and informal discussions regarding the students. Ethical practices regarding confidentiality when working with learners with learning needs are extremely important to the role of the paraprofessional. General codes of ethics as well as state and federal laws govern the practice of confidentiality. Because a paraprofessional has access to confidential information about students and families, confidential communication with staff members and families must be practiced.

Objectives

As you read the objectives for this unit, think about and rate your current knowledge using the following scale.

1. I do not understand this.
2. I do understand this.
3. I understand this well enough to use in my work.
4. I could teach others about it and use it in my work.

Upon completion of this unit, you will:

• Understand the typical concerns of parents.
• Know the characteristics of family-centered practice.
• Identify personal practices that show respect for the family.
• Define confidentiality and why it is important to the role of the paraprofessional.
• Identify ethical communication practices.
• Identify general ethical considerations for working with students with disabilities.
• Know how to communicate in a confidential/ethical manner with families.
• Identify laws related to confidentiality.
  

The Para eLink is sponsored by the Minnesota Paraprofessional Consortium, in collaboration with the Minnesota Department of Education, located at the Institute on Community Integration in the College of Education and Human Development at the University of Minnesota.

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