Policy: 2022

Section: 2000 - Instruction 

Title: Electronic Resources

Status: Active

Adopted: December 20, 20001

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Electronic Resources

The Ferndale Board of Directors recognizes that an effective public education system develops students who are globally aware, civically engaged, and capable of managing their lives and careers. The board also believes that students need to be proficient and safe users of information, media, and technology to succeed in a digital world.

Therefore, the district will use electronic resources as a powerful and compelling means for students to learn core subjects and applied skills in relevant and rigorous ways. It is the district’s goal to provide students with rich and ample opportunities to use technology for important purposes in schools just as individuals in workplaces and other real-life settings use these tools. The district’s technology will enable educators and students to communicate, learn, share, collaborate and create; to think and solve problems; to manage their work; and to take ownership of their lives.

To help ensure student safety and citizenship in online activities, all students will be educated about appropriate online behavior, including interacting with other individuals on social networking websites and in chat rooms, and cyberbullying awareness and response.

The superintendent or designee will create strong electronic educational systems that support innovative teaching and learning, to provide appropriate staff development opportunities and develop procedures to support this policy.

Use of the Internet  

The question of Internet safety includes issues regarding the use of the Internet, Internet-ready, and other electronic devices in a manner that promotes safe online activity for children, protects children from cybercrimes, including crimes by online predators and cyberbullying, and helps parents shield their children from materials that are inappropriate for minors. 

To promote the safe and appropriate online behavior of students and staff as they access material from the Internet, the district will use the following four-part approach.  However, given the ever-changing nature of the Internet, the district cannot guarantee that a student will never be able to access objectionable material.

1. Network Use Agreement: Any student or staff member using the Internet from a computer in the district facility must have a valid Network Use Agreement on file;
2. Filter:  All district-owned computers in all district facilities capable of accessing the Internet must use filtering software to prevent access to obscene, racist, hateful or violent material;
3. Supervision:  When students use the Internet from school facilities, district staff will make a reasonable effort to supervise student access and use of the Internet.  If material is accessed that violates standards in the materials selection procedures of the Network Use Agreement, then district staff may instruct the person to cease using that material and/or implement sanctions contained in the Network Use Agreement; and

Instruction:  All students will be educated about appropriate online behavior, including interacting with other individuals on social networking websites and in chat rooms, and cyberbullying awareness and response.

 

Cross References: 

Policy 2020 Curriculum Development and Adoption of Instructional Materials

Policy 2025 Copyright Compliance

Policy 3207 Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying

Policy 3231 Student Records

Policy 3241 Classroom Management, Corrective Actions or Punishment

Policy 4040 Public Access to District Records

Policy 4400 Election Activities

Policy 5281 Disciplinary Action and Discharge

 

Legal Reference: 

18 USC §§ 2510-2522 Electronic Communication Privacy Act

Pub.L. No. 110-385 Protecting Children in the 21st Century Act

 

Management Resources:

Policy News, October 2012 Updates and Corrections 

Policy News, February 2012 Federal Guidance Requires Changes to Electronic Resources

Policy News, June 2008 Electronic Resources

Policy News, June 2001 Congress Requires Internet Blocking at School

 

Policy News, August 1998 Permission required to review e-mail

 

 

Adoption Date: 12.20.01

Ferndale School District

Revised: 01.28.10; 02.25.2014