Ethical decision making ina educational set-up

1. Email: rmmcgensan@yahoo.com Telephone Number: (083) 301-1927
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Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Colleges
GRADUATE SCHOOL
Pioneer Avenue, General Santos City, Philippines
Website: www.rmmcmain.edu.ph
Name : RODELINA L. LAUD
Student Code : 2223000035
Program : MAEd-Educational Management
Course No. : 9006 / EDUC 205
Course Title : Total Quality Management & Transformational Leadership
Ethical Decision-Making in Educational Management
Ethical decision-making lies at the heart of every responsible and effective endeavor, whether it be in the
realm of education, business, governance, or personal conduct. It serves as the compass guiding our actions,
ensuring that we navigate complex situations with integrity, fairness, and respect for the rights and well-
being of all involved. In the context of education, where the futures of our next generation are shaped and
where the values we instill reverberate throughout society, ethical decision-making is not just a choice; it is
an imperative. As educators, administrators, and stakeholders in the educational process, we bear a
profound responsibility to uphold the highest ethical standards, recognizing that every decision we make
has the potential to profoundly impact the lives of learners, teachers, families, and communities. Today, as
we explore the importance and principles of ethical decision-making in education, let us reaffirm our
commitment to fostering environments where integrity, equity, and justice prevail, where every choice
reflects our unwavering dedication to the pursuit of truth, knowledge, and the greater good.
I. Ethical Considerations in Quality Improvement Initiatives
So, what is ethics? Ethics is a branch of philosophy that asks the practical question, like what should we do?
How do we live our lives? Ethics is the process of questioning, discovering, and defending our values,
principles, and purpose. It’s about finding out who we are and staying true to that in the face of temptations,
challenges, and uncertainty. It’s not always fun and it’s hardly ever easy, but if we commit to it, we set
ourselves up to make decisions we can stand by, building a life that’s truly our own and a future we want to
be a part of. When we talk about ethics – these leads also to things like values, beliefs, norms, and principles
because these are the things that shape our choices. So how do we select which values or principles to
adopt? And how do we make choices when faced with conflict or dilemmas in implementing changes to

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improve the quality of our education? What helps us to give our judgment goes back to our purpose. What
is your purpose here on this earth? What is the reason why we chose teaching as our profession? What is
our role as a teacher? As a leader? Ethics deals with such questions at all levels. Its subject consists of the
fundamental issues of practical decision-making, and its major concerns include the nature of ultimate value
and the standards by which human actions can be judged right or wrong.
By knowing the meaning of ethics comes ethical decision-making. Ethical decision-making is a cognitive
process where people consider ethical rules, principles, or guidelines when making decisions. In making
these decisions, you must have these considerations to think about on how to make an ethical decision based
on the quality of education we would like to offer. Why quality then? We know quality when we experience
it, but explaining it is more difficult. There were already a lot of quality standards that we followed or heard
just to promote quality and excellence. So many organizations aim to be the best in their fields and the
education sector is one of them. Educational institutions are now required to develop their approaches to
quality so that they can deliver a consistent quality service.
According to the author Edward Sallis, in his book Total Quality Management in Education, (p4.), there were
four considerations or imperatives an educational institution must take into consideration to maintain its
quality as the best provider, those were:
1. The Moral Considerations
2. The Professional Considerations
3. The Competitive Considerations
4. The Accountability Considerations
(1) The moral consideration is the high ground in education. The school and its administration must provide
the very best possible educational opportunities to all learners. As John West-Burnham puts it, “It is difficult
to conceptualize a situation where anything less than total quality is perceived as being appropriate or
acceptable for the education of the children.”
(2) The professional consideration is closely linked to the moral considerations. Professionalism implies a
commitment to the needs of the learners and an obligation to meet their needs by employing the most
appropriate pedagogic practices. That is why educators have a professional duty to improve the quality of
education and swear to give the highest standards possible in teaching.

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(3). The competitive considerations or the competition is a reality in every educational institution. A
decrease in enrollment might mean staff redundancy. That is why the school administrator should be wary
of this and to ensure their survival and for this situation not to happen, the school should maintain or
improve its customer’s satisfaction or experience. This is where TQM now enters since TQM is a customer-
driven process, focusing on the needs of the customers. Quality services might be the only factor that sets
apart one institution from the other.
(4). Accountability considerations mean that by doing total management quality standards, the institution is
promoting quality adherence to the process providing reliable, measurable outcomes of the educational
process, and conveying a mechanism for quality improvement.
Also, here are the key components of ethical decision-making in educational management, which includes:
1. Adherence to Ethical Standards:
Decision-makers must be familiar with and committed to ethical standards and codes of conduct
relevant to the field of education. This includes principles such as honesty, integrity, fairness, and
respect for diversity.
2. Consideration of Stakeholder Perspectives:
Ethical decision-making requires considering the perspectives and interests of all stakeholders
involved in or affected by the decision. This may involve listening to concerns, soliciting feedback,
and balancing competing interests to arrive at a decision that best serves the common good.
3. Transparency and Accountability:
Decision-makers should strive to be transparent about their decision-making process and
accountable for the consequences of their decisions. This may involve clearly communicating the
rationale behind decisions and being open to feedback and criticism.
4. Equity and Justice:
Ethical decision-making in educational management involves promoting equity and justice for all
students and stakeholders. This includes ensuring equal access to resources and opportunities,
addressing systemic inequalities, and advocating for the rights of marginalized or vulnerable
populations.

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5. Balancing Competing Values:
In many cases, educational leaders may face situations where there are competing values or interests
at stake. Ethical decision-making involves carefully weighing these competing considerations and
striving to find solutions that uphold the core values of education while minimizing harm.
6. Professional Development and Reflection:
Ethical decision-making is a skill that can be developed and honed over time. Educational leaders
should engage in ongoing professional development and reflective practice to enhance their ethical
decision-making skills and stay informed about emerging ethical issues in education.
II. Promoting Integrity and Ethical Behavior in Educational Leadership
Leaders who demonstrate integrity garner trust among their colleagues. They aren't afraid of the truth, and
they stand up for what they believe in. This, in turn, leads to loyal customers, increased profits, and a better
world for all. Principals with integrity create alignment with shared values and make decisions based on
those values. Principals, by how they live their lives and make decisions, build commitment—individually
and collectively with teachers, parents, and the public—based on mutual trust and respect. Promoting
integrity and ethical behavior in educational leadership is essential for creating a culture of trust,
accountability, and excellence within schools and educational institutions. Here are several strategies to
achieve this:
1. Lead by Example: Educational leaders must model ethical behavior in their actions and decisions.
When leaders demonstrate honesty, fairness, and transparency, they set a powerful example for
others to follow.
2. Establish Clear Ethical Standards and Expectations: Communicate expectations regarding ethical
conduct to all members of the school community, including teachers, staff, students, and parents.
Develop and publicize codes of ethics or conduct that outline the principles and values that guide
decision-making and behavior.
3. Provide Ongoing Training and Professional Development: Offer training sessions, workshops, and
professional development opportunities focused on ethics and integrity. Equip educational leaders
with the knowledge, skills, and resources they need to navigate ethical dilemmas and make principled
decisions.

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4. Foster a Culture of Open Communication: Create an environment where individuals feel
comfortable speaking up about ethical concerns or misconduct without fear of retaliation. Encourage
open dialogue and constructive feedback and establish channels for reporting unethical behavior
confidentially and safely.
5. Promote Ethical Decision-Making Skills: Teach and reinforce the process of ethical decision-making,
emphasizing critical thinking, empathy, and consideration of consequences. Encourage reflection on
ethical dilemmas and the exploration of alternative courses of action.
6. Recognize and Reward Ethical Behavior: Acknowledge and celebrate instances of ethical behavior
and integrity within the school community. Highlight examples of individuals or groups who
demonstrate a commitment to ethical principles, and publicly recognize their contributions.
7. Hold Individuals Accountable: Establish clear consequences for unethical behavior and enforce
them consistently and fairly. Hold all members of the school community, including leaders,
accountable for upholding ethical standards and addressing instances of misconduct promptly and
effectively.
8. Collaborate with Stakeholders: Involve stakeholders, including teachers, students, parents, and
community members, in discussions and decision-making processes related to ethical issues and
values. Foster collaboration and collective ownership of ethical standards and initiatives.
9. Regularly Evaluate and Reflect: Continuously assess the effectiveness of efforts to promote integrity
and ethical behavior within the school community. Solicit feedback from stakeholders, review
policies and practices, and adjust as needed to reinforce a culture of ethics and accountability.
By implementing these strategies, educational leaders can create environments where integrity and ethical
behavior are valued, practiced, and ingrained in the fabric of the school community.

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III. Potential Ethical Dilemmas That Leaders May Face When Implementing Changes to
Improve Quality in Education
An ethical dilemma is an inner conversation with the self-concerning two or more available propositions. It
is a choice between two or more courses of action when obstacles on each side hinder the decision as to
which course to pursue (Berlak & Berlak, 1981). Implementing changes to improve the quality of education
can present various ethical dilemmas for leaders. Here are some potential settings:
1. Resource Allocation:
Leaders may face dilemmas regarding the allocation of limited resources, such as funding, staff, or
facilities, among competing priorities. For example, deciding whether to invest in teacher training
programs or infrastructure improvements can raise questions about fairness and equity.
2. Standardized Testing Pressure:
Pressure to achieve high scores on standardized tests can lead to ethical dilemmas for leaders. They
may face the choice between focusing solely on test preparation to boost scores or providing a more
comprehensive and well-rounded education that may not result in immediate test score gains.
3. Inclusion and Diversity:
Balancing the needs of diverse student populations can present ethical challenges. Leaders may
grapple with how to ensure inclusion and equity for students with disabilities, English language
learners, or marginalized groups while also meeting academic standards and expectations.
4. Teacher Evaluation and Accountability:
Implementing systems for teacher evaluation and accountability can raise ethical dilemmas. Leaders
must consider how to fairly assess teacher performance while also providing support and
professional development opportunities. They may face pressure to prioritize accountability
measures over supportive approaches.
5. Privatization and Commercialization:
The involvement of private companies or commercial interests in education can create ethical
dilemmas for leaders. They may need to navigate conflicts of interest, transparency issues, and
concerns about the commodification of education while seeking external partnerships or funding.

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6. Student Privacy and Data Security:
Utilizing technology and data-driven approaches to improve education can raise ethical concerns
about student privacy and data security. Leaders must ensure that sensitive student information is
protected and used responsibly, especially when partnering with external vendors or adopting new
technologies.
7. Parental and Community Expectations:
Balancing the expectations of parents, community members, and other stakeholders can pose ethical
dilemmas for leaders. They may encounter conflicting demands regarding curriculum content,
disciplinary policies, or extracurricular activities and must navigate these tensions while prioritizing
the best interests of students.
8. Institutional Integrity and Academic Freedom:
Leaders may face dilemmas related to academic freedom and institutional integrity when
implementing changes that challenge established practices or ideologies. They must balance the
need for innovation and improvement with respect for academic autonomy and intellectual diversity.
9. Socioeconomic Disparities:
Addressing socioeconomic disparities in education can present ethical dilemmas for leaders. They
may need to confront issues of privilege, access, and opportunity gaps while promoting equity and
social justice.
Navigating these ethical dilemmas requires leaders to demonstrate integrity, transparency, empathy, and a
commitment to the well-being and success of all students. They must engage stakeholders in meaningful
dialogue, weigh competing interests and values, and make decisions that uphold ethical principles and
advance the quality and equity of education. Ethical decision-making is the cornerstone of effective
educational management. It is not merely a set of rules or guidelines to follow but a mindset and a
commitment to upholding the highest standards of integrity, fairness, and compassion in every aspect of our
work. As future educational leaders, we bear a great responsibility to cultivate environments where trust
flourishes, where diversity is accepted, and where every learner is valued and respected. By prioritizing
ethical considerations in our decision-making processes, we not only uphold the principles of justice and
equity but also nurture the growth and development of our learners who are the future of this country.

8. Email: rmmcgensan@yahoo.com Telephone Number: (083) 301-1927
Telefax: (083) 552-3624
Sources:
◦ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u399XmkjeXo. Theethicscentre,2020.
◦ https://www.britannica.com/topic/ethics-philosophy/Kant
◦ Sallis, Edward, Total Quality Management in Education, 3rd edition, London.
◦ Berlak, A., & Berlak, H. (1981). Dilemmas of schooling. New York: Methuen.
◦ https://entrepreneurship.babson.edu/why-is-integrity-important-in-leadership Chabbot, Hillary,
(Sept., 2023).
◦ http://www.stratishealth.org/document. QI Basics: Model for Improvement PDSA.(May 2019)