Ethics and Law for School Psychologists - 8th Edition by Susan Jacob & Dawn M Decker & Elizabeth Timmerman Lugg & Elena Diamond (Hardcover)

About the Book

"There are a number of excellent texts, journal articles, and book chapters on ethics in psychology, legal issues in school psychology, and special education law. However, in the late 1980s, the authors of the first edition of this book recognized a need for a single sourcebook on ethics and law specifically written to meet the unique needs of the psychologist in the school setting. Consequently, Ethics and Law for School Psychologists was written to provide up-to-date information on ethical principles and standards and law pertinent to the delivery of school psychological services. Our goals for this eighth edition of the book remain unchanged. We hope that the book will continue to be useful as a basic textbook or supplementary text for school psychology students in training and as a resource for practitioners. In addition, we hope it will also be a valuable resource for scholars interested in ethical and legal issues in the field of school psychology. As stated in the preface to the first edition, one goal in writing the book was to bring together various ethical and legal guidelines pertinent to the delivery of school psychological services. We also introduce an ethical-legal decision-making model that supports socially just practice (Diamond et al., 2021). We concur with the suggestion that the educated practitioner is the best safeguard against ethical-legal problems (Koocher & Keith-Spiegel, 2008). School psychologists with a broad knowledge base of ethics and law are likely to anticipate and prevent problems. Use of a decision-making model allows the practitioner to make informed, well-reasoned choices in resolving problems when they do occur (Cottone, 2012; Eberlein, 1987; Tymchuk, 1986)"--

Book Synopsis

A comprehensive and robust discussion of practical issues and applications of legal-ethical rules for psychologists practicing in school settings


In the newly revised Eighth Edition of Ethics and Law for School Psychologists, a team of expert practitioners and researchers delivers a one-stop sourcebook on ethics and law specifically designed for psychologists working in educational settings. It offers up-to-date information on the ethical principles and standards- and the law- relevant to providers of school psychological services.

The book presents an integrated discussion of ethics and law and an ethical-egal decision-making model that supports socially just practice. Throughout, psychologists are encouraged to strive for excellence in their work with students, families, and teachers rather than meetin minimal obligations outlined in codes of ethics and law.

Readers will also find:

• A thorough introduction to the practice of psychology in a school setting, including quality control, ethics training, legal decision making, and unethical conduct.
• An exploration of the interaction between law and school psychology, including discussions of legal training for school psychologists and lawsuits agains schools and school psychologists.
• Treatments of ethical and legal issues in the education of students with disabilities under the Indviduals with Disabilities Education Act

An indispensable resource for practicing school psychologists, psychiatrists, counselors, social workers, and other mental heatlh professionals, Ethics and Law for School Psychologists is also an essential sourcebook for graduate students of psychology and social work students.

From the Back Cover

A comprehensive and robust discussion of practical issues and applications of legal-ethical rules for psychologists practicing in school settings

In the newly revised Eighth Edition of Ethics and Law for School Psychologists, a team of expert practitioners and researchers delivers a one-stop sourcebook on ethics and law specifically designed for psychologists working in educational settings. It offers up-to-date information on the ethical principles and standards--and the law--relevant to providers of school psychological services.

The book presents an integrated discussion of ethics and law and an ethical-legal decision-making model that supports socially just practice. Throughout, psychologists are encouraged to strive for excellence in their work with students, families, and teachers rather than meeting minimal obligations outlined in codes of ethics and law.

Readers will also find:

• A thorough introduction to the practice of psychology in a school setting, including quality control, ethics training, legal decision making, and unethical conduct
• An exploration of the interaction between law and school psychology, including discussions of legal training for school psychologists and lawsuits against schools and school psychologists
• Treatments of ethical and legal issues in the education of students with disabilities under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

An indispensable resource for practicing school psychologists, psychiatrists, counselors, social workers, and other mental health professionals, Ethics and Law for School Psychologists is also an essential sourcebook for graduate students of psychology and social work students.

About the Author

Susan Jacob, Professor Emeritus, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Dawn M. Decker, Central Michigan University, Mt. Pleasant, Michigan.

Elizabeth Timmerman Lugg, Illinois State University, Normal, Illinois.

Elena Diamond, Lewis and Clark College, Portland Oregon.