Ethical and Legal Issues in School-Based Psychological Assessment: Principles and Applied Decision-Making

A 2-credit, primarily reading-based course examining professional ethics, informed consent, confidentiality, ethical assessment practices, and decision-making in school settings for psychologists working in schools.

Course Overview

Through guided readings and applied case studies, participants examine ethical and legal considerations throughout the psychological assessment process. Using the 2024 publication Psychological Assessment in School Contexts: Ethical Issues and Practical Guidelines, the course addresses professional competence, informed consent, confidentiality, student rights, appropriate test selection, assessment validity, and responsible interpretation and reporting. Participants apply structured ethical reasoning to complex school-based situations involving competing responsibilities, professional boundaries, assessment concerns, and communication with families and educational teams.

This 2-credit course includes four self-paced lessons: three instructional lessons and a final applied ethical decision-making case-study lesson. Learning activities include assigned professional readings, ethical dilemmas, interactive decision-making exercises, and school-based case analyses designed to strengthen professional judgment and ethical assessment practices.