VOLUME
III: STUDENTS FILE: JFBGC
STUDENT ACCESS TO
NETWORKED INFORMATION RESOURCES
The Board recognizes that advances in telecommunications and information technologies can alter instruction and impact student learning. The Board generally supports access by students to rich information resources along with the development of appropriate skills to analyze and evaluate such resources. In a free and democratic society, access to information is a fundamental right of citizenship.
Telecommunications, electronic information sources and networked services significantly alter the information landscape for schools by opening classrooms and library media centers to a broader array of resources. In the past, instructional and library media materials could usually be evaluated and selected based on reasonable selection criteria prior to use. Board policy requires that all such materials be consistent with system-adopted guidelines supporting and enriching the curriculum while taking into account the varied instructional needs, learning styles, abilities and developmental levels of the students. Telecommunications, because they may lead to any publicly available fileserver in the world, have opened classrooms and library media centers to electronic information resources, which have not been screened by educators for use by students of various ages.
Electronic information research skills are now fundamental to preparation of citizens and future employees during an Age of Information. The Board expects that faculties will blend thoughtful use of such information throughout the curriculum and will provide guidance and instruction to students in the appropriate use of such resources. Teachers and library media specialists will consult the guidelines for instructional materials contained in Board policy and will honor the goals for selection of instructional materials contained therein.
Students are responsible for good behavior on school computer networks just as they are in a classroom or a school hallway since communications on the network are often public in nature. General school rules for behavior and communications apply. The network is provided for students to conduct research and communicate with others; however, access to network services, (the Internet), will be provided to only those students who agree to act in a considerate and responsible manner. Independent student use of telecommunications and electronic information resources will be permitted upon submission of permission/agreement forms signed by students and their parents to designated school personnel.
Access to telecommunications will enable students to explore thousands of libraries, databases, and bulletin boards and to exchange messages with people throughout the world. The Board believes that the benefits to students from access to information resources and opportunities for collaboration outweigh any disadvantages. Ultimately, parents and guardians are responsible for setting and conveying the standards that their children should follow when using media and information sources. To that end, the Tuscaloosa County Board of Education supports and respects each family’s right to decide whether or not to apply for independent access.
SOURCE: Tuscaloosa County Board of Education, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
ADOPTED: December 9, 1996; REVISED: May 10, 2004
LEGAL REF.: The Code of Alabama, 16-8-9, 16-21-1 to 3.
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We are pleased to offer students
of the Tuscaloosa County School System access to networked information
resources (i.e., the Internet) and electronic mail (e-mail). The network is provided for students to
conduct research and communicate with others.
Access to network services is given to students who agree to act in a
considerate and responsible manner.
Parental permission is required.
Access is a privilege—NOT a right—and entails responsibility.
Access to the Internet and e-mail will enable students to explore thousands of libraries, databases and bulletin boards while exchanging messages with Internet users throughout the world. However, families should be warned that some material accessible via the Internet might contain items that are illegal, defamatory, inaccurate or potentially offensive to some people. While our intent is to make access available to further educational goals and objectives, students may find ways to access other materials as well. However, we believe the benefits to students from this access exceed any disadvantages.
Individual users of the Internet and e-mail are responsible for their behavior and communications over these networks. It is presumed that users will comply with Tuscaloosa County School System standards and will honor the agreements they will be required to sign. Beyond the clarification of such standards, the System is not responsible for restricting, monitoring or controlling the communications of individuals utilizing the networks. Ultimately, parents and guardians of minors are responsible for setting and conveying the standards that their children should follow when using media and information sources. To that end, the Tuscaloosa County School System supports and respects each family’s right to decide whether or not to apply for access.
Students are responsible for good behavior on school networks just as they are in a classroom or a hallway. Communications on the network are often public in nature. Network storage areas may be treated like school lockers. Administrators may review files and communications to maintain system integrity and insure that users are using the network responsibly. Users should not expect that files stored on local servers will always be private. Within reason, freedom of speech and access to information will be honored.
In utilizing the Internet and e-mail through the Tuscaloosa County School System’s networks, the following are not permitted:
1. Sending, displaying or downloading offensive or threatening messages or pictures using any electronic format.
2. Accessing or using non-approved Email services, such as AOL, MSN, dial-up or other personal email services. Exceptions are allowed only when the purpose is intended for class projects. Access is only permitted only with direct teacher supervision
3. Playing, downloading or using the Internet or computer games in a non-instructional purpose or without teacher supervision.
4. Using obscene language.
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5. Harassing, insulting or attacking others.
6. Damaging computers and components, operating systems, software or computer networks.
7. Violating copyright laws (see TCSS Policy IFBGB).
8. Plagiarizing materials found on the Internet. Plagiarism is the act of taking the ideas or writings of others and presenting them as the user’s own.
9. Using another person’s password.
10. Trespassing in another person’s folders, work or files.
11. Intentionally wasting limited resources such as paper, ink, toner, bandwidth, diskettes, etc.
12. Employing the network for commercial purposes.
13. Using or downloading of non-educational software or utilities such as, but not limited to hacking tools, spyware, mp3/music download programs or utilities, the Gnutella network, P2P (Peer to Peer), MIRC, ICQ, newsgroups and chat rooms, online chat (AOL, Yahoo or MSN Instant Messenger) except for class-specific teacher-supervised projects).
14. Utilizing software that consumes large amounts of bandwidth; that is, streaming audio/video such as but not limited to Windows Media Player, Real Player, Shockwave, Quicktime, WeatherBug, Webshots, for non-instructional purposes.
15. Viewing or attempting to view inappropriate web sites as defined under the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) of 2000.
16. Bypassing or attempting to re-route Internet sites past the school system’s content filters or security devices.
Violations may result in a loss of access as well as other disciplinary or legal action.
VOLUME
III: STUDENTS FILE: JFBGC-R2
As a user of a computer network
and networked information resources in the Tuscaloosa County School System, I
hereby agree to comply with the School System’s guidelines for communicating
over the network in a reliable fashion while honoring all relevant laws and
restrictions.
As a parent or legal guardian of
the minor student signing above, I grant permission for my son or daughter to
access networked computer services such as electronic mail and the
Internet. I understand that individuals
and families may be held liable for violations.
I understand that some materials on the Internet may be objectionable,
but I accept responsibility for guidance or network use-setting and conveying
standards for my son or daughter to follow when selecting, sharing or exploring
information and media.
Due to the increasing popularity
of the Internet and the need to provide electronic information to the
community, the Tuscaloosa County School System has implemented websites for our
schools. These websites provide a wealth of information about our schools, students,
and faculty. At some point, the school may elect to publish digital photographs
and/or class projects of students engaging in school activities. For security
reasons, student’s last name will not be used in conjunction with any
photograph of the student. Photographs will be in-group formats and will not
single out any particular individual. Students’ full name may be used when
showing projects, awards, or achievement recognition when no photograph of the
student is used. As a parent or legal guardian of the minor student signing
above, I grant permission for my son or daughter to have their: (Please check
all that apply), published on the school or district website.
(PLEASE PRINT)
STUDENT’S
SOCIAL SECURITY #:
_________________ BIRTHDATE: __________________