Student Access to Networked Information Resources and Acceptable Use Philosophy
BP 5139.00
STUDENT ACCESS TO NETWORKED INFORMATION RESOURCES AND ACCEPTABLE USE PHILOSOPHY
Background:
As the use of telecommunication networks by students and educators increase, there is a need to clarify acceptable use and safety of those networks and to include federal regulations from the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) and the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA).
Contents:
Policy 5139 includes regulations for the safety and use of the Internet. It addresses acceptable use, privileges, accountability and responsibility, web publishing, network etiquette, reliability, security, safety, and vandalism.
Purpose:
Policy 5139 has been revised (1) to include the new federal regulations regarding issues of child safety and acceptable use of the Internet and (2) to be in compliance with Universal Service Fund for Schools and Libraries (E-rate) guidelines.
The Board recognizes that as telecommunications and other new technologies shift the way that information may be accessed, communicated and transferred by members of society, those changes may also alter instruction and student learning. The Board supports access by students to rich information resources along with the development by staff of appropriate skills to analyze and evaluate such resources.
Board Policy 6161.1 spells out principles of selection and requires that instructional and library materials support and enrich the curriculum while taking into account the varied instructional needs, learning styles, abilities and developmental levels of students. Telecommunications, electronic information sources and networked services significantly alter the information landscape for schools by opening classrooms to a broader array of resources. In the past, instructional and library media materials could be selected based on the above criteria. Telecommunications, because it leads to any publicly available file server in the world, opens classrooms and libraries to electronic information resources which have not been screened by educators for use by students of various ages.
Electronic information research skills are now fundamental to preparation of citizens and future employees in this Age of Information. 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 electronic resources. Staff will consult the guidelines for instructional materials contained in Board policy 6161.1 and will honor the goals set forth for selection of instructional materials.
Access to telecommunications 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 benefits to students to electronic and telecommunication resources and collaboration, exceed the disadvantages. But 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 Ketchikan Gateway Borough School District supports and respects each family’s right to decide whether or not to apply for independent access.
Acceptable Use
Student Responsibilities
Students are responsible for good behavior on school 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 apply (see Board Regulation 5131 - Code of Conduct). 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.
Independent student use of telecommunications and electronic information resources will be permitted upon submission of permission forms by parents of minor students (under 18 years of age) and by students themselves. Many regional networks require agreement by users to acceptable use policies outlining standards for behavior and communication.
KETCHIKAN GATEWAY BOROUGH SCHOOL DISTRICT
Adoption Date: 7/10/02