San Mateo-Foster City School District

POLICY 5200

STUDENT USE OF ONLINE AND NETWORKED SERVICES

The Board of Trustees recognizes that technology provides ways to access the most current and extensive sources of information. Technology also enables students to practice skills and to develop reasoning and problem-solving abilities.

Online services/Internet Access

The Board intends that Internet and other online resources provided by the District be used to support the instructional program and further student learning. To that end, every effort shall be made to provide equal access to technology throughout the District’s schools and classes.

The Superintendent or designee shall establish guidelines governing student access to and use of technology.  The regulations shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

Student Acceptable Use Agreement

Students and parent/guardian shall sign User Agreement and Parent Permission Form at the start of each school year indicating that the student and parent/guardian understand and agree to abide by specified user obligations and responsibilities;. Parents will agree to accept responsibility for informing their child about the acceptable use regulations outlined in the accompanying Student Acceptable Use of Online and Networked Services regulations.

The Superintendent shall direct staff to supervise and guide students toward appropriate materials while using online services. Teachers may ask adult instructional assistants to assist in this supervision.  The Superintendent will enforce the No Child Left Behind Act (Title II, Part D) requiring use of a technology filtering tool to block or filter Internet access to material harmful to minors in the areas of:  pornography, hate speech, weapons, violence, and gambling.

The Superintendent or designee shall establish administrative regulations governing use of the District’s online services. He/she shall ensure that users have no expectation of privacy and understand that District staff will monitor online activities to ensure proper use of the system. Students who fail to abide by these regulations shall be subject to disciplinary action, revocation of the user account, or legal action as appropriate.

Legal References:

EDUCATION CODE

51006 Computer education and resources

51007 Programs to strengthen technological skills

51870-51874 Education technology

60044 Prohibited instructional materials

PENAL CODE:

313 Harmful matter

502 Computer crimes, remedies

632 Eavesdropping on or recording confidential communications

UNITED STATES CODE, TITLE 20:

6751-6777 Enhancing Education Through Technology Act, No Child Left Behind Act, Title II, Part D

Approved May 18, 2006

Revised May 1, 2006

REGULATION 5200

STUDENT ACCEPTABLE USE OF ONLINE AND NETWORKED SERVICES

The following regulations are designed to guide District staff in implementing the Board’s policy on the Student Use of Online and Networked Services.

1.    The Director of Technology in collaboration with the District Technology Advisory Committee and the Instructional Technology Team, will maintain responsibility for designing and implementing processes for protecting students and preventing violation of district regulations and local, state, and federal laws.

1.      Students and parents of student users of the school and School District Internet connection will be required to sign an annual User Agreement and Parent Permission Form which will be kept on file as a legal, binding document.

2.      Parents will be required to sign an annual “Student in Media Consent” form indicating whether or not their student’s image or work may be used in materials published online by school or district personnel.

4.    Staff and Students who have access to electronic information resources will receive instruction by trained staff in the acceptable use of these electronic and online resources, rules for online behavior (network etiquette), access privileges, and penalties for violation of the system.

5.    District staff will maintain open communication with students and parents about how the Internet is being used in the classroom in order to avoid misunderstandings and undue concern. Possible means of communication include newsletters, online correspondence, and/or parent education sessions.  Links to supplemental materials regarding internet safety and security will be posted in appropriate sections of the district website.

6.    Classroom teachers will supervise student use of online information systems and guide students toward appropriate materials. Teachers and adult classroom/lab aides will ensure that students abide by the rules of network etiquette online behavior defined in the Acceptable Use Agreement.

7.    District staff will maintain the district computer and telecommunications systems and monitor internet and e-mail filtering tools to ensure proper maintenance and use.

RULES FOR ONLINE BEHAVIOR

Students are expected to abide by the generally accepted rules of network etiquette. These include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Use the internet as directed by a teacher or aide. Do not use the internet to harass, threaten or display offensive messages or pictures.
• Use appropriate language. Do not swear, use vulgarities or use any other inappropriate language.
• Do not violate copyright laws or plagiarize the work of others found on the net.
• Do not reveal your personal address or phone number, or the addresses and phone numbers of other students.

·        E-Mail, chat rooms, instant messaging, blogging or other social networking is prohibited except when approved for student learning and directly supervised by teaching staff.

Text or graphic material created on or saved to district systems is not private. Any material relating to or in support of prohibited or illegal activities shall result in loss of access privileges, disciplinary action, and/or legal action as appropriate.