TOPIC SELECTION AND ETHICAL ANALYSIS 1
Legal Entanglement Project: Part 1 – Topic Selection and Ethical Analysis
Bobbi Jeffrey
School of Education, Liberty University
Legal Entanglement Project: Part 1 – Topic Selection and Ethical Analysis A.
Topic Selection and Evaluation
E P
5320 - IMMUNIZATION
In order to safeguard the school community from the spread of certain communicable diseases
and in recognition that prevention is a means of combating the spread of disease, the Board of
Education requires all children entering school in this County to show proof of immunization
against chickenpox, Hepatitis B, measles, meningitis, mumps, diphtheria, polio, rubella, tetanus,
and whooping cough or produces a certificate from the Commissioner of the Bureau for Public
Health granting the child or person an exemption from the compulsory immunization
requirements of WV Code 16-3-4.
N Describing the Pr Used in Selecting the T and in Ev the Ethical
/o Legal Dimensions of the Issue
TOPIC SELECTION AND ETHICAL ANALYSIS 2
The topic of immunization in schools was ultimately chosen because it represents a critical
intersection between legal mandates, ethic decision-making and educational leadership. To
evaluate the ethical and legal dimensions, I analyzed policies from the state department of
education and consulted guidance from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
and the U.S. Department of Education. This allowed me to compare how various laws, such as
state immunization statutes and federal disability protections under 504 and IDEA, interact
with school enrollment requirements. I also discussed the issue with other school
professionals and administrators to understand how they navigate parent concerns and
exemption requests while maintaining student safety. Ethically, I reflected on how these
decisions affect equity, particularly for students from diverse cultural or religious backgrounds
who may have differing beliefs about vaccines. The process reinforced that school leaders
must balance public safety with respect for individual rights, ensuring that all students have
access to education in a safe and inclusive environment.
B. Ethical Analysis
R MCEE Principles used in Analysis
[MCEE Principle
II.A.3]
Advocating for equitable educational opportunities for all students.
Immunization policies in schools must be implemented in ways that
respect the diverse characteristics of all students, including their
cultural, religious, and socioeconomic backgrounds. While vaccination
requirements serve to protect the health of the entire
school community, they can unintentionally create barriers for
families with limited access to healthcare or differing beliefs about
medical intervention. Ethically, educators must uphold every
student’s dignity by ensuring that health policies are communicated
clearly, applied consistently, and sensitive to individual
circumstances. The issue of school policies partially complies with the
MCEE principle of respecting students’ rights and dignity. On one
hand, these policies promote safety and wellness for all but on
another, the compliance is not absolute.
[MCEE Principle
III.A.1]
Respecting students by taking into their individual characteristics,
including but not limited to age, gender, culture, setting, ability,
and socioeconomic context.
School immunization policies generally comply with the MCSEE
principle of by promoting health and equitable access to education,
but implementation gaps persist. While vaccination requirements help
maintain safe learning environments and reduce absences, barriers
such as poverty, limited healthcare access, or transportation. True
adherence to this principle means addressing these challenges
through support and outreach rather than exclusion. When policies
fail to account for diverse cultural, religious, or socioeconomic
backgrounds, they may unintentionally disregard individual dignity.
TOPIC SELECTION AND ETHICAL ANALYSIS 3
[MCEE Principle
III.B.1]
Seeing to understand students’ educational, academic, personal
and social needs as well as their values, beliefs and cultural
background.
School immunization policies demonstrate an ethic of care by
protecting students’ and staff’s well-being, but gaps in communication
can weaken that care. When vaccine requirements are conveyed
without empathy or respect for family concerns. To align with the
MCEE principle, educators must discuss immunizations with
compassion, transparency, and respect for differing beliefs.
References
Essex, N. L. (2024). School law and the public schools: A practical guide for educational leader .
(8th ed). Pearson.
National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education Certification (NASDTEC). (2025).
H Model Code of Ethics for Educators )MCEE). https://www.nasdtec.net/page/MCEE_Doc
U.S. Department of Education (2023). Guidance on constitutionally protected prayer and h
religious expression in public elementary and secondary schools. https://www.ed.gov/
