Policy No. 3201
Students

The Board recognizes that as telecommunications and other new technologies shift the ways that information may be accessed, communicated, and transferred by members of the society, those changes may also alter instruction and student learning. The Board generally supports access by students to rich information resources.

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 usually be screened--prior to use--by committees of educators and community members intent on subjecting all such materials to reasonable selection criteria. Telecommunications, because they may lead to any publicly available fileserver in the world, open classrooms to electronic information resources which may have not been screened by educators for use by students.

Electronic information research skills are now fundamental to preparation of citizens and future employees during an 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 such resources.

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. School rules for behavior and communications apply. 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 Internet will be permitted upon submission of permission forms and agreement forms by parents of minor students (under 18 years of age) and by students themselves.

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 from access in the form of information resources and opportunities for collaboration, exceed the disadvantages. The Board authorizes the Superintendent to prepare appropriate procedures for implementing this policy and for reviewing and evaluating its effect on instruction and student achievement.

Adoption: 03-22-99

Procedure 3201P 

PROCEDURES FOR RESPONSIBLE INTERNET ACCESS AND USE

1. Acceptable Use

The purpose of the Internet is to support research and education in and among academic institutions in the U.S. by providing access to unique resources and the opportunity for collaborative work. The use of your account must be in support of education and research and consistent with the educational objectives of the Burlington-Edison School District . Use of other organization's network or computing resources must comply with the rules appropriate for that network. Transmission of any material in violation of any U.S. or state regulation is prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to: copyrighted material, threatening or obscene material, or material protected by trade secret. Use for commercial activities is generally not acceptable. Use for product advertisement or political lobbying is also prohibited.

2. Privileges

The use of the Internet is a privilege, not a right, and inappropriate use will result in a cancellation of those privileges. (Each student who receives an account will take a short self-study course, pass a test on the course's material, and be part of a discussion with a Burlington-Edison School District faculty member pertaining to the proper use of the network.) The system administrators will deem what is inappropriate use and their decision is final, when a conflict of interpretation occurs. Also, the system administrators may close an account at any time as required. The administration, faculty, and staff of Burlington-Edison School District may request the system administrator to deny, revoke, or suspend specific user account.

3. Network Etiquette

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

1. Be polite. Do not get abusive, confrontational or insulting in your messages to others.
2. Use appropriate language. Do not swear, use vulgarities or any other inappropriate language. Illegal activities are strictly forbidden.
3. Do not reveal your personal address or phone numbers of students or colleagues.
4. Note that electronic mail and other forms of electronically transmitted information are not guaranteed to be private. People who operate the system can monitor and log any and all activities, and can have access to all mail. Messages relating to or in support of activities which are illegal or otherwise inappropriate in a school situation may be reported to the authorities.
5. Do not use the network in such a way that you would disrupt the network, or the use of the network by other users.
6. All communications and information accessible via the network should be assumed to be private property and treated as such.

4. Guarantees

Burlington-Edison School District makes no warranties of any kind, whether expressed or implied, for the service it is providing. Burlington-Edison school District will not be responsible for any damages you suffer. This includes loss of data resulting from delays, non-deliveries, mis- deliveries, or service interruptions caused by its own negligence or your errors or omissions. Use of any information obtained via the Internet is at your own risk. Burlington-Edison School District specifically denies any responsibility for the accuracy or quality of information obtained through its services.

5. Security

Security on any computer system is high priority, especially when the system involves many users. If you feel you can identify a security problem on the Internet, or a misuse of Internet privileges, you must notify a faculty member, a system administrator, or the District Technology Systems Manager or a member of his staff. Do not demonstrate the problem to other users. Do not use another individual's account without written permission from that individual. Attempts to log on to the Internet or to any B-ESD Network as a system administrator, or as any user than yourself, will result in cancellation of user privileges. Any user identified as a security risk or having a history of problems with other computer systems may be denied access to Internet.

6. Vandalism

Vandalism will result in cancellation of privileges. Vandalism is defined as any malicious attempt to harm or destroy District equipment or files, or the data of another user, or the files of any of the above listed agencies or other networks that are connected to the Internet. This includes, but not limited to, the uploading or creation of computer viruses.

7. Consequences

Violation of these guidelines may result in loss of Internet privileges and other network privileges. Depending on the severity of the activities, normal school sanctions in addition to cancellation of privileges may occur. Illegal activities may be referred to the appropriate legal authorities.

Date: 03-22-99

Form 3201F