Adoption Date: 3/6/2007, Revised: 9/18/2007; 12/20/11; 5/17/16
8000 - INSTRUCTION
Elementary and Secondary Instruction
8271 CHILDREN'S INTERNET PROTECTION ACT: INTERNET CONTENT FILTERING/SAFETY POLICY
FILTERING/SAFETY POLICY
In
compliance with the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) and
Regulations of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the District
has adopted and will enforce this Internet safety policy that ensures
the use of technology protection measures (i.e., filtering or blocking
of access to certain material on the Internet) on all District computers
with Internet access. Such technology protection measures apply to
Internet access by both adults and minors with regard to visual
depictions that are obscene, child pornography, or, with respect to the
use of computers by minors, considered harmful to such students. The
District will provide for the education of students regarding
appropriate online behavior including interacting with other individuals
on social networking Web sites and in chat rooms, and regarding
cyberbullying awareness and response. Further, appropriate monitoring of
online activities of minors, as determined by the building/program
supervisor, will also be enforced to ensure the safety of students when
accessing the Internet.
Further, the Board of Education's decision
to utilize technology protection measures and other safety procedures
for staff and students when accessing the Internet fosters the
educational mission of the schools including the selection of
appropriate teaching/instructional materials and activities to enhance
the schools' programs; and to help ensure the safety of personnel and
students while online.
However, no filtering technology can
guarantee that staff and students will be prevented from accessing all
inappropriate locations. Proper safety procedures, as deemed appropriate
by the applicable administrator/program supervisor, will be provided to
ensure compliance with the CIPA.
In addition to the use of
technology protection measures, the monitoring of online activities and
access by minors to inappropriate matter on the Internet and World Wide
Web may include, but shall not be limited to, the following guidelines:
- a)
Ensuring the presence of a teacher and/or other appropriate District
personnel when students are accessing the Internet including, but not
limited to, the supervision of minors when using electronic mail, chat
rooms, instant messaging and other forms of direct electronic
communications. As determined by the appropriate building administrator,
the use of e-mail, chat rooms, as well as social networking Web sites,
may be blocked as deemed necessary to ensure the safety of such
students;
- b) Monitoring logs of access in order to keep track of
the web sites visited by students as a measure to restrict access to
materials harmful to minors;
- c) In compliance with this Internet
Safety Policy as well as the District's Acceptable Use Policy,
unauthorized access (including so-called "hacking") and other unlawful
activities by minors are prohibited by the District; and student
violations of such policies may result in disciplinary action; and
- d)
Appropriate supervision and notification to minors regarding the
prohibition as to unauthorized disclosure, use and dissemination of
personal identification information regarding such students.
The
determination of what is "inappropriate" for minors shall be determined
by the District and/or designated school official(s). It is
acknowledged that the determination of such "inappropriate" material may
vary depending upon the circumstances of the situation and the age of
the students involved in online research.
The terms "minor,"
"child pornography," "harmful to minors," "obscene," "technology
protection measure," "sexual act," and "sexual contact" will be as
defined in accordance with CIPA and other applicable laws/regulations as
may be appropriate and implemented pursuant to the District's
educational mission.
Under certain specified circumstances, the
blocking or filtering technology measure(s) may be disabled for adults
engaged in bona fide research or other lawful purposes. The power to
disable can only be exercised by an administrator, supervisor, or other
person authorized by the School District.
The School District
shall provide certification, pursuant to the requirements of CIPA, to
document the District's adoption and enforcement of its Internet Safety
Policy, including the operation and enforcement of technology protection
measures (i.e., blocking/filtering of access to certain material on the
Internet) for all School District computers with Internet access.
Internet Safety Instruction
In
accordance with New York State Education Law, the School District may
provide, to students in grades K through 12, instruction designed to
promote the proper and safe use of the Internet. The Commissioner shall
provide technical assistance to assist in the development of curricula
for such course of study which shall be age appropriate and developed
according to the needs and abilities of students at successive grade
levels in order to provide awareness, skills, information and support to
aid in the safe usage of the Internet.
Under the Protecting
Children in the 21st Century Act, students will also be educated on
appropriate interactions with other individuals on social networking Web
sites and in chat rooms, as well as cyberbullying awareness and
response.
Access to Inappropriate Content/Material and Use of Personal Technology or Electronic Devices
Despite
the existence of District policy, regulations and guidelines, it is
virtually impossible to completely prevent access to content or material
that may be considered inappropriate for students. Students may have
the ability to access such content or material from their home, other
locations off school premises and/or with a student's own personal
technology or electronic device on school grounds or at school events.
The
District is not responsible for inappropriate content or material
accessed via a student's own personal technology or electronic device or
via an unfiltered Internet connection received through a student's own
personal technology or electronic device.
Consent for Student Use
The
District's Acceptable Use Policy and accompanying Regulations will be
disseminated to parents and students in order to provide notice of the
school's requirements, expectations, and student's obligations when
accessing the Internet.
"Passive Consent" (Opt-out) Student access
to the District's computer system will automatically be provided unless
the parent has submitted written notification to the District that such
access not be permitted. Procedures will be established to define the
process by which parents may submit a written request to deny or rescind
student use of District computers.
Notification/Authorization
The
District has provided reasonable public notice and has held at least
one (1) public hearing or meeting to address the proposed Internet
Safety/Internet Content Filtering Policy prior to Board adoption.
Additional public notice and a hearing or meeting is not necessary when
amendments are made to the Internet Safety Policy in the future.
The
District's Internet Safety/Internet Content Filtering Policy must be
made available to the FCC upon request. Furthermore, appropriate actions
will be taken to ensure the ready availability to the public of this
policy as well as any other District policies relating to the use of
technology.
The Internet Safety/Internet Content Filtering Policy
is required to be retained by the school for at least five (5) years
after the funding year in which the policy was relied upon to obtain
E-rate funding.
Policy References:
47 United States Code, Sections 254(h)and 254(l)
47 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 54
Education Law 814
Policy Cross References:
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