Legal and Ethical Implications for Classroom Management Case Study

Bullying: Legal and Ethical Application

Bullying is a common social evil that requires the intervention of all school stakeholders. This study shows that bullying students should not be reprimanded negatively because it may accelerate the bullying trait. This can be achieved if a manager develops social goals based on reconciliation. This report attempts to balance the legal and ethical responses in bullying. The report will use Johnny and Tommy case study on bullying to reflect on the management actions based on reconciliation and integrity. The balance between legal and ethical ramifications in responding to bullying incidences is addressed. The concepts learned will be important in handling cases similar to the case study presented.

A case study (Management situation in a first grade classroom)

Johnny is well built and slightly bigger than most of his peers in class. As a result, he has been using his muscular advantages to exercising bullying in class. Tommy on the other hand, is slender, shy, and not well built compared to Johnny. Recently, Johnny attacked and injured Tommy's arms using a pen. He also punched him badly. Tommy reported the incident to his mother who later came to school the next morning complaining of un-monitored bullying activities in school. Tommy's mother demanded financial compensation from the school administration with a threat of pressing legal charges against the school.

The school authorities have requested my intervention in determining the validity of Tommy's allegation. Secondly, I will seek to establish the reason for Johnny's negative behavior of injuring other students. I will also determine the way forward in compensating Tommy and his mother. It is important for the school has to accept responsibility of the situation. The first action is to clear the medical bills incurred in treating Tommy's arm. The school should also negotiate with Tommy's mother by explaining how the school is planning to eradicate the menace.

How this approach is helpful

It is necessary to acknowledge that grade one students do not have sufficient knowledge concerning bullying. In any case, Johnny could be obsessed with a superiority complex and using it for the wrong reasons. This intervention is effective since it initiate formative steps of managing the menace. Besides, Johnny and Tom will be made to understand that bullying is unacceptable in school and out of school. For Johnny, punishment will be directed in the form of writing triplicate apology letter. The apology letters will be directed to the school administration, another for Johnny and his parents, and another copy of Tommy and his mother.

Inversely, formative consequence will communicate to Tommy's mother that bullying is a psychological challenge that requires collective responsibility. During negotiation, it is imperative to emphasize the school's code of conduct (Prior, 2004). This shows how the class policy will be developed. The code of conduct will act as a reminder that bullying is an unethical behavior. Therefore, bullying students will not be tolerated in the school. It is necessary to recognize the positive behaviors among students. Such an appraisal can be enhanced by communicating to the students through notice boards that non-bullies who report, mediate, or negotiate bullying incidence will be rewarded promptly. The general idea here is absorbing all students in a collective disciplinary system.

Justification of diplomatic actions

Absorbing Johnny, who has the unbecoming behavior, is the first instance of fighting bullying in this school. Actions are based entirely on peace and negotiation through consensus building. In any case, Johnny is just a reflection of other troubled children with autism whose cases have not been reported. The challenge arises when innocent students, Tommy, and his mother are to be convinced that Johnny should not be reprimanded negatively. The use of apology letters as suggested in this study is the first step towards reconciliation. In order to ensure Tommy and innocent students are satisfied, the report advocates that Johnny should read the letter loud in class or the assembly grounds. The administration should also take the initiative of duplicate the letter copies to be disbursed to various classes. This will communicate the message that bullying is discouraged whilst ensuring that problems facing the troubled Johnny are also addressed. The goal is to make sure that Johnny and other students understand the intensity of their negative actions.

Legal and ethical ramification presented in the case

The law requires schools within this district to abide to Bullying Prevention and Intervention plan. Besides, federal policies require lawmakers to develop laws and strategies to prevent and extinguish bullying in schools. The recent amendment of the policy (2013) sought clarity on the term perpetrator. Lavesque (2003) establishes that the perpetrator can be a sympathizer or the individual who bullies others. The amendment recognized primary and secondary perpetrators as school administrators, staff members, subordinate staff, or fellow students. Therefore, the decision to incline reprisal against Johnny shows this school as a possible candidate of bullying. However, it is important to understand that the school's central goal is developing positive morals among students. The school is an extensive correction center that seeks to instill positive morals to students like Johnny. The question of morality has greater significance compared to the implications of the law. In any case, the law aids shortages of morality.