MACON COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION
Internet Acceptable Use Policy and
Agreement for Students
Reference: Board Policy 4.406
Issue Date 10/11/2001
POLICY STATEMENT
Internet access is now
available to students and teachers in the Macon County School System. The
Internet is an electronic highway connecting thousands of computers all over the
world and millions of individual subscribers. The Macon County Board of
Education recognizes that computers are used to support and enhance instruction.
We believe the Internet offers vast, diverse and unique resources to both
students and teachers. Our goal in providing Internet service to teachers and
students is to promote educational excellence in schools by facilitating
resource sharing, innovation, and communication. Electronic information research
skills are now fundamental to preparation of citizens and future employees
during an Age of Information. The Board expects that the 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.
Access to the Internet enables
students to explore thousands of libraries, databases, bulletin boards, and
other resources while exchanging messages with people around the world. Teaching
students to navigate the Internet gives them the opportunity to identify and
evaluate useful sources of information. In addition to enhancing information
literacy, the Internet puts millions of information resources at a child’s
fingertips. It is amazing to see how young people are using the Internet to
learn about the world.
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 upon
subjecting all such materials to reasonable selection criteria. Because the
Internet was not designed with children in mind, classrooms will be open to
electronic information resources that have not been screened by educators for
use by students of various ages. With access to computers and people all over
the world also comes the availability of material that may not be considered to
be of educational value in the context of the school setting. The Macon County
School System recognizes that on a global network it is impossible to control
all materials and an industrious user may discover controversial information.
For years educators have worked diligently to create and promote increasing
numbers of K-12 resources available on the Internet. We firmly believe that the
valuable information and interaction available on this worldwide network far out
weighs the possibility that users may procure material that is not consistent
with the educational goals of the School System.
To gain access to the
Internet, all students must obtain parental permission and must sign and return
the attached student authorization form to the school office. Ultimately,
parents and guardians are responsible for setting and conveying the standards
that their children should follow on the use of the Internet just as they do on
the use of all media information sources such as television, telephones, movies,
and radio. Macon County Schools do not condone the use of inappropriate
materials and do not permit usage of such materials in school environments.
When access to the Internet is
granted, it is extremely important that rules be followed. Access is a
privilege, not a right, and as such this educational opportunity entails
responsibility. Students are responsible for NOT pursuing materials that could
be considered offensive. Misbehavior could result in temporary or permanent loss
of access to the Internet. Violations may result in disciplinary action up to
and including suspension/expulsion for students and termination of employment of
employees. When applicable, law enforcement agencies may be involved. It is
important that employees, students, and parent/guardians read and understand the
following guidelines from the Macon County School System.
STUDENT RESPONSIBILITY
Students using Internet access
provided by the Macon County School System must first have the permission of and
must be supervised by Macon County’s professional staff.
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.
General school rules for behavior and communications apply.
The network is provided for
students to conduct research and communicate with others. Access to network
services is provided to students who agree to act in a considerate and
responsible manner. Student signature and parent/guardian permission are
required. Access is a privilege, not a right, and entails responsibility.
Individual users of the School
System’s computer networks are responsible for their behavior and communications
over those networks. It is presumed that users will comply with district
standards and will honor the agreement they and their parent/guardians have
signed.
Network storage areas will be
treated like school lockers. Macon County School System reserves the right to
review, monitor, and restrict information stored on or transmitted via Macon
County School System’s equipment and to investigate suspected inappropriate use
of resources. This includes reviewing files, bookmarks, and communications to
maintain system integrity and insure that users are using the system
responsibly. Users should not expect that files stored on School System’s
servers will always be private.
The following are NOT permitted:
*Sending or displaying offensive, obscene, threatening messages or pictures
*Using obscene language
*Harassing, insulting, or attacking others
*Damaging computers, computer systems, or computer networks
*Violating copyright laws and illegal installation or transmission of
copyrighted materials are prohibited
*Using another’s password
*Trespassing in another’s folders, work, or files
*Intentionally wasting limited resources
*Employing the network for private, commercial, or illegal purposes
*Any action which violates existing Board Policy or Public Law
Network Etiquette.
You are expected to abide by the generally accepted rules of network
etiquette. These include but are not limited to the following:
*Be polite. Do not get abusive in our messages to others.
*Use appropriate language. Do not swear; use vulgarities or any other
inappropriate language. Illegal activities are strictly forbidden.
*Do not reveal your personal address or phone numbers of students or
colleagues.
*Note that electronic mail (e-mail) is not guaranteed to be private. People
who operate the system do have access to all mail. Messages relating to or in
support of illegal activities may be reported to the authorities.
*Do not use the network in such a way that you would disrupt the use of the
network by other users.
*All communications and information accessible via the network should be
assumed to be private property.
*Report security violations to the principal/appropriate teacher immediately
Macon County School System
makes no warranties of any kind, whether expressed or implied, for the service
it is providing. Macon County School System 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. Macon County School System
specifically denies any responsibility for the accuracy or quality of
information obtained through its services.
Security.
Security on any computer system is a high priority, especially when the system
involves many users. If you feel you can identify a security problem on the
Internet, you must notify a principal or teacher.
Do not demonstrate the problem to others. Any user identified as
a security risk or having a history of problems with other computer systems may
be denied access to Internet.
Vandalism.
Vandalism will result in cancellation of privileges. Vandalism is defined as any
malicious attempt to harm or destroy data of another user, Internet, or any of
the above listed agencies or other networks that are connected to any of the
Internet backbones. This includes, but not limited to, the uploading or creation
of computer viruses.
Having read the Internet
Acceptable Use Policy and Agreement, my signature on the Internet Use
Permission/Agreement Form is legally binding and signifies that I have
carefully read and understand the term and conditions for Internet use in the
Macon County Schools.
Macon County School System
Internet Use Permission/Agreement Form
Student Agreement.
I
understand and will abide by the above Internet
Use Agreement. I further understand that any violation of the regulations above
is
unethical and may constitute a
criminal offense. Should I commit any violation,
my access privileges may be revoked, school disciplinary action may be taken,
and/or legal action may be taken.
Misuse can come in many forms, but can be viewed
as any messages sent/received that indicate or suggest pornography, unethical or
illegal solicitation, racism, sexism, inappropriate language and other issues
described above.
User’s Full Name (Please Print):
_____________________________________________________________
User’s Signature:
__________________________________________________________________________
Date: __________________________________________
Parent or Guardian.
As
the parent or guardian of this student, I have
read the Internet Use Agreement. I
understand that this access is designed for
educational purposes. I also recognize it is impossible for Macon
County
Schools to restrict access to all controversial materials and
I will not
hold them responsible for materials acquired on the network. Further,
I accept
full responsibility for supervision if and when my child’s use is not in a
school setting. I hereby grant permission for my child to use the Internet and
certify that the information contained on this form is correct.
I
understand and accept the conditions stated and agree to hold harmless, and
release from liability, the school and school system.
Parent/Guardian’s Name (Please Print):
________________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian’s Signature:
________________________________________________________________
Date: ____________________________
Sponsoring Teacher.
I have
read the Internet Use Agreement and agree to promote this agreement with the
students. Because the student may use the Internet for individual work or in the
context of another class, I cannot be held responsible for the student use of
the Internet. As the sponsoring teacher, I
do agree to instruct the student on
acceptable use of the Internet and proper Internet etiquette, and to supervise
students in
the use of the Internet.
Teacher’s Name (Please Print):
_______________________________________________________________
Teacher’s Signature:
_______________________________________________________________________
Date: __________________________________
