Student-Related Technology Policies
Student Access To Electronic Resources And The Internet (District Regulation #7313)
A) Internet Rules
B) Student form: Acknowledgement of student responsibilities for use of district
computerized resources
C) Parental/Guardian Consent
Student Access to Network Information Resources (Board Policy #7313)
1999 Board Policy 7313: Students
SUBJECT: STUDENT ACCESS TO NETWORK INFORMATION RESOURCES
The Board recognizes that as telecommunications and other new technologies shift the ways that information may be accessed, communicated and transferred by members of society, those changes may also alter instruction and student learning. The Board generally supports access by students to rich information resources along with the development by staff of appropriate skills to analyze and evaluate such resources. In today's world, access to and manipulation of information is a vital skill.
Telecommunications, electronic information sources and networked services significantly alter the information landscape for schools by opening classrooms to broader array or resources. In the past, instructional and library media materials could usually be screened, prior to use, by committees of educators and community members intent on subjecting all such materials to reasonable selection criteria. Board Policy #8320 and accompanying administrative regulations require that all such materials and use be consistent with District adopted guides, supporting and enriching the curriculum while taking into account the varied instructional needs, learning styles, abilities and developmental levels of the students.
Electronic information research skills are now fundamental to preparation of citizens and future employees during the Information Age. The Board expects that staff will blend thoughtful use of such information throughout the curriculum and that the staff will provide guidance and instruction to students in the appropriate use of such resources. Staff will consult the guidelines for instructional materials contained in Board Policy #8320 and accompanying administrative regulations, and will honor the goals for selection of instructional materials contained therein.
Students are responsible for good behavior on computer networks just as they are in a classroom or a school hallway. Communications on the network are often public in nature. General school rules for behavior and communications apply (see Policy #3410 and accompanying administrative regulations) as well as the Student Bill of Rights and Responsibilities. The network is provided for students to conduct research and communicate with others. Access to network services will be provided to students who agree to act in a considerate and responsible manner.
District students shall also adhere to the laws, policies and rules governing computers including, but not limited to, copyright laws, rights of software publishers, license agreements, and student rights of privacy created by federal and state law.
Students who engage in unacceptable use may lose access to the District's network information resources in accordance with applicable due process procedures, and may be subject to further discipline under the District's School Conduct and Discipline Policy (see Policy #7310) and the Student Discipline Code of Conduct. The District reserves the right to pursue legal action against a student who willfully, maliciously or unlawfully damages or destroys property of the District. Further, the District may bring suit in civil court against the parents/guardians of any student who willfully, maliciously or unlawfully damages or destroys District property pursuant to General Obligations Law Section 3-112.
Student data files and other electronic storage areas will be treated like school lockers. This means that such areas shall be considered to be School District property subject to control and inspection. The computer coordinator may access all such files and communications to insure system integrity and that users are complying with the requirements of this policy and accompanying regulations. Students should NOT expect that information stored on the District's network service will be private.
Independent student use of telecommunications and electronic information resources will be permitted upon submission of permission and agreement forms by parents/guardians of minor students (under 18 years of age) and by students themselves.
Telecommunications, because they may lead to any publicly available fileserver in the world, will open classrooms to electronic information resources which have not been screened by educators for use by students. Access will enable students to explore thousands of libraries, databases, and bulletin boards while exchanging messages with people throughout the world. The Board believes that the advantages to students from Internet access and the opportunities for collaboration exceed the disadvantages.
Ultimately parents and guardians of minors are responsible for setting and conveying the standards that their children should follow when using media and information sources. To that end, the School District supports and respects each family's right to decide whether or not to apply for independent access.
The Board authorizes the Superintendent to prepare appropriate procedures for implementing this policy and for reviewing and calculating its effect on instructional and student achievement.
SUBJECT: STUDENT ACCESS TO ELECTRONIC RESOURCES AND THE INTERNET
2001 Regulation 7313
In order to match electronic resources as closely as possible to the approved District accompanying curriculum, District personnel will review and evaluate resources in order to offer material which complies with Board guidelines listed in Board Policy #8320 and accompanying Administrative Regulations governing the selection of instructional materials. "The District will have complete access to all files contained on the DCS to monitor appropriate usage as well as to perform system maintenance from time to time. Consequently, no user of the computer system should have any expectation of privacy with respect to any computerized file stored in memory of that system."
In this manner, staff will provide developmentally appropriate guidance to students as they make use of telecommunications and electronic information resources to conduct research and other studies related to the District curriculum. All students will be informed by staff of their rights and responsibilities as users of the District network prior to gaining access to that network, either as an a individual user or as a member of a class or group.
As much as possible, access to District information resources will be designed in ways which point students to resources that have been reviewed and evaluated prior to use. While students may be able to move beyond those resources to others which have not been evaluated by staff, they shall be provided with guidelines and lists of resources particularly suited to the learning objectives. Students may pursue electronic research independent of staff supervision only if they have been granted parental permission and have submitted all required forms. Permission is not transferable and may not be shared.
Internet Rules
Students are responsible for good behavior on school computer networks, just as they are in a classroom or a school hallway. Since communications on the network are often public in nature, general school rules for behavior and communications apply. The network is provided for students to conduct research and communicate with others. Students must adhere to the laws, policies and rules governing computers including, but not limited to, copyright laws, rights of software publishers, license agreements, and rights of privacy created by federal and state law. Independent access to network services is provided to students who agree to act in a considerate and responsible manner. Parent permission is required for independent access.
Access, however, entails responsibility. Users of the District computer networks are responsible for their behavior and communications over those networks
Student data files and other electronic storage areas will be treated like school lockers. This means that such areas shall be considered to be School District property and subject to control and inspection. The Technology Coordinator may access all such files and communications to insure system integrity and that users are complying with the requirements of District policy and regulations regarding student access to the District's Computer System (DCS). Students should not expect that information stored on the DCS would be private.
Teachers will use networks for implementation of their curriculum and guide students toward resources. Students will have no access to the Internet outside of those classes unless they have written parent permission and submitted all required forms to their school principal or designee.
The following are not permitted:
1) Sending or displaying offensive messages or pictures; pornography, etc.
2) Using obscene language.
3) Harassing, insulting or attacking others.
4) Invading, hacking or damaging computers, computer systems or computer networks.
5) Violating copyright laws.
6) Using another's password.
7) Trespassing in another's folders, work or files.
8) Intentionally wasting resources.
9) Employing the network for commercial purposes.
10) Requesting unnecessary and lengthy material that ties up system resources.
11) Any use of the network to facilitate an illegal activity.
12) Revealing personal information about one's self or other students including, but not limited to, disclosure of name, home address and/or telephone number.
"This list is not intended to be comprehensive. Instead it is intended as an illustration of the rules which should govern good conduct while using the computer system. Regardless of whether a rule is specifically listed herein, if the user's conduct while using the system is unbecoming a student, appropriate disciplinary action will be taken against the violator."
Disciplinary actions may include:
1) Loss of access.
2) Loss of grades for plagiarism.
3) Additional disciplinary action determined at the building level pursuant to existing practice regarding inappropriate language or behavior.
4) Law enforcement agency involvement.
5) Appropriate responses as contained in the Student Bill of Rights and Responsibilities.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES FOR USE OF DISTRICT COMPUTERIZED RESOURCES
I, ________________________________________ , acknowledge that I have been provided with a copy of the district's policy on student use of computerized formation resources and regulations established in connection with that policy.
I understand that I must adhere to the policy and the regulations and to any changes or additions later adopted by the district. I further understand that failure to comply with these policies and regulations may result in loss of my access to the DCS and or other appropriate discipline or legal action.
Date _________________ Student Signature _____________________________
School Building _____________________________________
PARENTAL/ GUARDIAN CONSENT
I am the parent/guardian of , the minor student who has signed the District's agreement for student use of computerized information resources. I have been provided with a copy and I have read the District's policy and regulations concerning use of the DCS.
I also acknowledge receiving notice that, unlike most traditional instructional or library media materials, the DCS will potentially allow my son/daughter student access to external computer networks not controlled by the School District. I understand that some of the materials available through these external computer networks may be inappropriate and objectionable; however, I acknowledge that it is impossible for the District to screen or review all of the available materials. I accept responsibility to set and convey standards for appropriate and acceptable use to my son/daughter when using the DCS or any other electronic media or communications.
I agree to release the School District, the Board of Education, its agents and employees from any and all claims of any nature arising from my son/daughter's use of the DCS in any manner whatsoever.
I agree that my son/daughter may have access to the DCS and I agree that this may include remote access from our home.
Parent/Guardian Signature and Other Information
Date
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