Page 20 - OSCA Ethical Guidelines - 2009.pdf

Section C
possibilities and lifetime income have been significantly limited by the undue stress placed solely on test results in placing the student. Obviously there are numerous checks built into the systems of most District School Boards so that inappropriate placement is rectified. Such suits, moreover, are unlikely to succeed in Ontario. There have been some successful suits of the type being discussed in the United States. In Ontario, counsellors would more likely face action from employers rather than court actions in the face of violations.
3. Counsellors, when using standardized tests for the assessment of counsellees, will consider only appropriate tests of recognized validity and reliability. They will use only tests which they are competent to administer.
Acceptable Cases
a) The Head of Guidance ensures that all counsellors have received appropriate training in the use and interpretation of all tests being used in the department.
b) A counsellor is placed in charge of conducting a thorough annual review of any testing being done in the Guidance Department. His resources and knowledge of development in testing and measurement remain up-to-date through the reading of appropriate journals and other publications as well as participation in workshops and conferences.
c) A parent requests that her child be tested to determine whether he has a learning disability. The counsellor refers the child for assessment to the individual responsible for the leadership in the Special Education Department.
d) A Guidance Head decides to increase the amount of testing done by his department, but he feels uninformed in the area of testing. He therefore takes a summer course on testing at a university. During the course, he compares available tests related to his aims.
Unacceptable Cases
a) A counsellor uses a diagnostic test available in his school although he has had no training in its use.
b) Since copies of a particular aptitude test are plentiful in her department, a person responsible for leadership in the Guidance Office decides to administer it to individuals wanting information concerning their abilities. This individual does no research concerning the validity or reliability of the test.
c) At a workshop, a counsellor learns that one high school incorporates a personality type indicator in one of its career education credit courses. Although he has had no training or experience with such resources, he decides to include it in the same course at his school.
d) A counsellor is asked by a teacher to determine if a student has a particular learning disability. The counsellor administers a general intelligence test on the assumption that, through it, any problem in learning will become evident.
Legally Speaking
Where a counsellor uses a test which he/she is not competent to administer, he/she will obviously be exposed to employment repercussions with respect to incompetence, in possible civil actions by parents, and charges from the College of Teachers.
4. Counsellors are obligated to administer standardized tests in strict accordance with the published directions and will ensure that examinees have adequate orientation to test procedures.
Acceptable Cases
a) Prior to initiating the school’s testing program, the counsellor ensures that each group being tested is well informed about all facets of the program. She trains a small group of teachers to assist with administration.
b) The counsellor proposes a group testing program. The principal refuses to alter period length to suit the testing; therefore, students would have 10 minutes less than they should have for the test. The counsellor is advised to allow for the diminished time in the scoring and administration of the tests. He explains that this would not be ethical.
Unacceptable Cases
a) A counsellor gives an interest inventory to a student. Later, she sees the student completing the inventory with friends offering advice. The atmosphere, she perceives, is far
from serious. In the subsequent interpretation session, the counsellor does not mention this potential problem.
b) A counsellor happens to know what test is used by
a company hiring apprentices. In discussion with
his counsellor, the student, who wants to obtain an apprenticeship position with this company, learns that the counsellor has access to this test. He asks the counsellor to give him the test and to examine the results as this would enable him to do better on the test when given by the company. The counsellor agrees to do so.
Legally Speaking
In the example above, where the counsellor gives the student access to the test, he or she would clearly be subject to potential civil action by the company, especially if the student were negligent in the job or committed some other wrongful activity. As noted previously, the counsellor may also be subject to a complaint at the College of Teachers or sanctions from his or her employer.
5. Counsellors have an obligation to interpret test results to counsellees in light of all other evaluation data. Tests and other assessment instruments must be followed by competent interpretation (e.g., in reference to transition to post-secondary education, training and workplace).
Acceptable Cases
a) The W.I.S.C. has been administered to a student following which the parents and student are anxious to learn results.
20 ■ OSCA Ethical Guidelines for Ontario School Counsellors 2010 • www.osca.ca