BOARD POLICY INTERNET SAFETY AND PUBLIC NETWORK ACCEPTABLE USE

Transcription

1 Responsible Office(s): Office of Information Technology PURPOSE BOARD POLICY INTERNET SAFETY AND PUBLIC NETWORK ACCEPTABLE USE The Board of Trustees believes the use of the internet and other 21 st century technology is a valuable and positive tool for staff, students and parents/guardians. Technology is a tool to be used to enhance and enrich the teaching and learning process; provide efficient and effective communication with students, parents/guardians and the community; and provide secure access to timely and accurate information. Technology shall be integrated into the curriculum both as a tool for teaching and learning, and as the subject of instruction so that District students have the necessary and appropriate skills to compete and thrive in the world. Access to the internet shall be for the purpose of facilitating the acquisition, exchange, and creation of information in support of achieving the District s educational objectives. The District has adopted this policy to address concerns regarding student access to obscene or harmful content. POLICY 1. The internet is a global, fluid community that remains largely unregulated. While it is an extremely valuable tool, there are portions of the internet that are potentially harmful to minors and are not commensurate with school, family or community standards. Use by District staff, students, and guests must be responsible and in concert with Board policy, federal and state law, and acceptable use policies of public access networks. 2. Employees of the District have a responsibility and obligation to take reasonable measures to protect students and provide a safe online environment. Internet safety and responsible use are fostered through the implementation of regulations and procedures that include technology protection measures and the monitoring and supervision of users. That protection includes measures to block or filter internet access to pictures that are obscene, child pornography, and/or other material considered harmful to minors, primarily on computers and other network-connected devices that are accessed by minors. However, it should not be assumed that users are completely prevented from accessing inappropriate materials or from sending or receiving objectionable communications.

2 Page 2 3. Internet and public network access through the school district is a privilege that may be revoked by the District at any time for unacceptable use and behavior and actions contrary to this policy and regulation. The District may monitor internet access and communication methods on the network, including District , to ensure that only appropriate usage is taking place. Violators of this policy shall be subject to the District s progressive discipline plan. 4. In order to allow students and staff access to instructional material from the internet, to help prevent access to material that is deemed inappropriate for classroom use, and to promote safe and appropriate online behavior, the following four-part approach is instituted whenever a student or staff member is accessing internet material from a District facility: a. Acceptable Use Agreement i. Any student, staff member, or guest using a District computer or other network-connected device to access the internet on the District s network must have a valid Acceptable Use Agreement on file. b. Filtering Software i. All computers and other network-connected devices which are capable of accessing the internet through the District s network will be subject to filtering to prevent access to obscene, racist, hateful, or violent material. c. Supervision d. Instruction i. District staff will make a reasonable effort to supervise student access and use of the internet. Such supervision includes, but is not limited to, teacher supervision in computer labs and classrooms. i. In addition to ensuring that students have the technological skills to effectively use digital devices, platforms and resources, the District has the responsibility to teach students how to be safe and productive digital citizens and 21 st century learners. Students shall be educated about appropriate online behavior, including interacting with other individuals on social networking websites and in chat rooms, and cyber-bullying awareness and response.

3 5. Internet safety includes, but is not limited to: Board Policy Page 3 a. Denial of access by minors to inappropriate matter on the internet; b. The safety and security of minors when using electronic mail, chat rooms and other forms of direct electronic communications; c. Unauthorized access, including so-called hacking and other unlawful activities by minors online; d. Unauthorized disclosure, use, and dissemination of personal information regarding minors; and e. Measures restricting minors access to materials harmful to them. 6. The use of the internet in a manner that promotes safe online activity for students; protects students from cybercrimes, including crimes by online predators; and helps parents/guardians shield their students from material that is inappropriate for minors. DEFINITIONS 1. Technology, as outlined in this policy, shall include but is not limited to: computer hardware and software; electronic learning sources; network cabling and equipment; printing and copying devices; telephone cabling and equipment; video and audio equipment; as well as any electronic device that accesses or interacts with any technologies defined above. 2. The term Internet, as used in this policy, refers to the public Internet including, but not limited to, the World Wide Web, web pages, web blogs, instant messaging, discussion boards, chat rooms, and other online learning communities and/or portals. 3. The term Network, as used in this policy, refers to any connection made to the District network to access the Internet, , or District servers and/or software either via physical connection or wireless connection. 4. Cyber-bullying means bullying through the use of electronic communication. The term includes the use of electronic communication to transmit or distribute a sexual image of a minor. (NRS ) a. Electronic communication means the communication of any written, verbal or pictorial information through the use of an electronic device, including, without limitation, a telephone, a cellular phone, a computer or any similar means of communication. (NRS )

4 Page 4 b. Bullying has the meaning ascribed to it in Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) DESIRED OUTCOMES 1. All students are provided a safe online learning environment on the District s network. To the extent possible, the District will use technology protection to block or filter Internet access to websites that contain obscene, pornographic, or other material that is harmful to students. 2. All students are educated about appropriate online behavior, including interacting with other individuals on social networking websites and in chat rooms, creating online content, and cyber-bullying awareness and response. IMPLEMENTATION GUIDELINES & ASSOCIATED DOCUMENTS 1. This policy reflects the goals of the District s Strategic Plan. 2. This policy aligns with the governing documents of WCSD to include: a. Administrative Regulation , Internet Safety and Public Network Acceptable Use b. Board Policy 9031, Safe and Respectful Learning Environment c. Board Policy 6161, Media Selection 3. This policy complies with the following federal codes and regulations: a. Children s Internet Protection Act: 20 U.S.C and 47 U.S.C. 254(h). b. Broadband Data Improvement Act, Title II, Protecting Children in the 21 st Century Act 4. This policy complies with Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) and Nevada Administrative Code (NAC) to include a. Chapter 201, Crimes Against Public Decency and Good Morals, and specifically: i. NRS , Obscenity. b. Chapter 388, System of Public Instruction, and specifically: i. NRS , Provision of Safe and Respectful Learning Environment

5 Page 5 ii. NRS , Policy by school districts for provision of safe and respectful learning environment and policy for ethical, safe and secure use of computers; provision of training to board of trustees and school personnel; posting of policies on Internet website; annual review and update of policies c. Chapter 389, Examinations, Courses, Standards and Graduation, and specifically: i. NRS , Council to Establish Academic Standards: Establishment of standards; periodic review of standards; adoption of standards by State Board; establishment of policy for ethical, safe and secure use of computers d. Chapter 393, School Property, and specifically: REVIEW AND REPORTING i. NRS , School Property, Powers of Trustees. 1. This document shall be reviewed annually for changes to state and federal law. 2. The annual District Accountability Report requires the reporting of incidents of cyber-bullying. REVISION HISTORY Date Revision Modification 9/26/ Adopted 1/22/ Revised 5/13/ Revised: to include CIPA requirements for student instruction