Analysis of an Ethical Dilemma: Principal Interns should identify an ethical, legal, and/or social justice issue that may or may not affect them or their principal mentor directly, but which must be resolved or handled by skillful district level leadership and which has implications for community relations, especially if it is not handled ethically. The dilemma should be specific, should be authentic (something that really happened or happens during the internship) and should have political implications. To complete this assessment successfully, students should: a. Draw on and use legal and ethical principles from previous course work; b. Conduct research related to the issue where such research will inform decision-making; c. Consult with your mentors, district leaders charged with handling the issue (if reasonable), and community stakeholders (where considerations of confidentiality allow) to gain legal and ethical perspectives on the issue and its resolution; d. Write a critical analysis of the district (or school) level leadership used to handle the issue and/or resolve it in a manner that is simultaneously ethical and effective in terms of preserving or improving district and community relations. The analysis should: i. Evaluate the extent to which district-level or school-level leadership acted with integrity and fairness in supporting school policies and staff practices that ensure every student’s academic and social success in this case;
ii. Analyze district-level or school-level leadership in terms of established ethical practices; iii. Review and critique district policies, programs, and practices related to this issue to ensure that students’ needs inform all aspects of schooling, including social justice, equity, confidentiality, acceptance, and respect; iv. Make recommendations for the improvement of district policies and procedures related to this issue that support democratic values, equity, and diversity issues,
*School District Durham Public Schools*