COMPUTER, TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY USAGE

(STUDENTS)

 #3640

1.0              PURPOSE 

This policy establishes the philosophy, governing rules, training requirements and parental approval requirements related to the District’s computer technology.

 2.0              SCOPE

This policy applies to all District students who use the District’s computers, computer networks and the Internet facilities.

3.0              PHILOSOPHY

3.1       Advantages – The School Board recognizes that computers, telecommunications and information technologies, when properly used, have the ability to enhance student instruction and learning.

3.2       Disadvantages – The School Board also recognizes that the District’s powerful computers, telecommunications network and information technologies, when improperly used, can have negative consequences, especially in the absence of proper training and responsible supervision.

3.3       Benefits Outweigh the Disadvantages – It is the District’s position that benefits to users of the District’s computers, network and information technologies greatly exceed the disadvantages.

3.4       Privilege – Access to and the use of the District’s computers, network and information technologies shall be considered a privilege, not a right or entitlement.

3.5       Instruction in Usage – The District shall establish procedures and ensure that students are properly instructed in the appropriate usage of the District’s computers, network and information technologies.

 3.6       Filtering Program – The District shall employ a filtering program that monitors and blocks objectionable materials from being received over the Internet.

3.7       Proper Supervision – At all levels student usage will be monitored.  At the elementary level, students shall use the Internet only under teacher supervision and in the context of instruction related to the curriculum.

3.8       Ultimate Responsibility – It is the position of the District that the ultimate responsibility for setting and conveying the standards that students follow when using the District’s computers, network and information technologies rests with their parents and guardians.

4.0              STUDENT ACCESS TO AND USE OF FACILITIES

4.1       Student Participation – It is the prerogative of parents to deny their child access to the internet through the use of district computers and technology resources.  It is the obligation of parents to properly notify the district that they wish to exercise that prerogative.  Therefore, all students in the District will be provided access to the computer network and information technologies.  A student will be denied access to and use of the district’s computer network only upon the submission of a formal parental written request to restrict such access made to the Manager of Academic Technology.

4.2       Disposition of Written Requests – Parent written requests to deny their child access to District technology resources will remain on file to give teachers and other District employees a record of parental denial.

4.3       Usage Restrictions – Usage of the District’s computers, network and information technology facilities shall be granted to students only for purposes of conducting research, completing work assignments, and communicating with others in the contexts of their curricula, co-curricular/extra-curricular activities.

4.4       Behavioral Expectations – Because communications on computer networks are public in nature, and thus may be a reflection on the District, students shall be expected to be considerate, responsible and demonstrate good behavior while using the District’s computers, network and information technology facilities.

4.5       Access to Student Data – All student-generated data, files and communications may be reviewed by network administrators to ensure that system integrity is maintained and that the system is being used in a responsible manner.  Information stored on District servers shall not be private.

5.0              IMPROPER USAGE

The following are considered to be examples, but not an all-inclusive list, of improper usage and conduct:

5.1       Attempting to invade or damage facilities, equipment, software, or supplies

5.2       Stealing equipment, time, services, software, or supplies

5.3       Sending or receiving e-mail for personal use by students.

5.4       Intentionally sending or displaying offensive messages, or images

5.5       Using offensive, abusive, or obscene language

5.6       Harassing, insulting or attacking others

5.7       Visiting chat rooms

5.8       Building, maintaining, or supporting personal web sites

5.9       Violating copyright laws and/or licensing agreements

5.10     Using another’s password or account

5.11     Sharing passwords

5.12     Attempting to violate or circumvent security procedures

5.13     Trespassing in another’s folders or files

5.14     Transferring, reading, changing, copying, sharing, or destroying another’s files

5.15     Intentionally wasting resources, such as disk space, bandwidth, or printing capacity

5.16     Employing the network for commercial or political purposes

 5.17     Using facilities, software, or supplies for any purposes not directly related to school activities

 5.18     Downloading, installing, or using unauthorized software, including but not limited to shareware, freeware, games, and audio/video files (Authorization can only come from the Information Technology Department)

 5.19     Attempting to make unauthorized purchases on the Internet

 5.20          Using facilities in any other way deemed by the district, in its sole discretion, to be inappropriate

 5.21     Violating any federal, state, or local statutes, ordinances, or regulations relative to computer, software, network, and Internet usage

 5.22     Writing, producing, or generating any computer code or message on the network that might disrupt or adversely affect any network user or resources

 5.23          Hacking, cracking, or otherwise trying to gain access to the District network or another person’s or organization’s computer system

 5.24          Any other uses deemed inappropriate by North Allegheny School District

  6.0              CONSEQUENCES FOR IMPROPER USAGE

 Students – Students who intentionally use the District’s computers, network and information technology facilities in any manner such as delineated in paragraph 5.0 may be denied future access and usage and shall be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with the rules and regulations of the North Allegheny School District Code of Conduct and/or appropriate federal, state, and local statutes, ordinances and regulations.

Approved 8/14/02

Supersedes #2530