They outline expectations of acceptable online behaviors.
They outline consequences of unacceptable behaviors.
They define positive goals for integrating technology into curriculum.
They outline user expectation of privacy while on the network.
What Can Students Expect from a District's AUP?
Sample School District Acceptable Use Policy
District Acceptable Use Policy
Print Name Here:__________________ Student ID Number: __________________ School District: ______________________
Use of the Internet and Other Computer Networks-Students (Board Policy Statement) The Internet is an electronic network connecting thousands of computer networks and millions of individual subscribers all over the world. Access to the Internet will allow students to explore the rich resources of thousands of university libraries, governmental databases and other online sources while exchanging electronic mail with Internet users throughout the world. Instructional and library materials are routinely evaluated by school district personnel prior to purchase in order to ascertain that such materials are consistent with district goals and guidelines and that they support and enrich the curriculum. However, use of the Internet, because it may lead to any publicly available fileserver in the world, may open classrooms to electronic information resources that have not been screened by educators for use by students. Some items accessible via the Internet may contain material that is inaccurate, defamatory or offensive. Access to the Internet and other computer networks requires that school officials develop guidelines for use. Such guidelines should address the teacher's responsibility for training and guidance, the student's responsibility for appropriate use, and the principal's responsibility for supervising the use.
Internet and Other Computer Networks--Use Guidelines (Rules and Regulations) The following guidelines define "appropriate use" of the Internet. 1. All use of school resources to access the Internet must be in support of and consistent with the educational objectives of this school district. 2. Transmitting any material in violation of any U.S., state regulation or school board policy, is prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to, copyrighted material and threatening or obscene material. 3. Hate mail, harassment, discriminatory remarks and other antisocial behaviors are unacceptable in Internet and other network communication. 4. All information accessible via the Internet should be assumed to be private property and subject to copyright protection. Internet sources should be credited appropriately, as with the use of any copyrighted material. EXAMPLE: The Columbia Guide to Online Style http://www.columbia.edu/cu/cup/cgos/idx_basic.html 5. Users have a responsibility to respect the privacy and property of other users. Users should not intentionally seek information about, obtain copies of, or modify, files, data or passwords of other users. 6. For their own safety, users should not reveal any personal information, such as addresses, phone numbers, or photographs. 7. Employing the Internet for commercial purposes is prohibited. 8. Users should not expect that files stored on district servers will always be private. School and network administrators may review files and communications to maintain system integrity and to ensure that the network is being used responsibly. 9. Students are directed to keep passwords for their own private use, and should log-off network when leaving the desktop station. 10.Teachers will inform students of what is considered appropriate use of the Internet, describing student privileges, rights and responsibilities. As much as possible, teachers will guide students toward materials which have been reviewed and evaluated prior to use. 11. The use of home pages, bookmarks, lists of web sites, and cataloging web sites in the library system will help match Internet resources to the curriculum. 12. Because computer use is essentially an individual experience, however, primary responsibility for appropriate use of the Internet resides with the student. A user agreement form will be signed by the student and parent prior to their use. Failure to follow appropriate practices may result in disciplinary action including loss of the individual's access to the Internet. 13. Principals will supervise the use of the Internet and other computer networks in their schools. Procedures will be put in place to ensure that students receive appropriate instruction and supervision in the use of the Internet and other computer networks. Filtering software is also utilized to protect students from inappropriate materials, and fulfills compliance for the “Childrens’ Internet Protection Act” (CIPA).
STUDENT INTERNET USE AGREEMENT The use of the Internet is a privilege; users should take personal responsibility for their behavior while online. It is expected that students will conduct their Internet activities under the following guidelines: 1. All use of school resources to access the Internet must be in support of and consistent with the educational objectives of the School District. 2. Transmitting any material in violation of any U.S., state regulation or school board policy, is prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to, copyrighted material and threatening or obscene material. 3. Hate mail, harassment, discriminatory remarks and other antisocial behaviors are unacceptable in Internet communication. 4. All information accessible via the Internet should be assumed to be private property and subject to copyright protection. Internet sources should be credited appropriately, as with the use of any copyrighted material. 5. Users have a responsibility to respect the privacy and property of other users. Users should not intentionally seek information about, obtain copies of, or modify, files, data or passwords of other users. 6. For their own safety, users should not reveal any personal information, such as addresses, phone numbers, or photographs. 7. Employing the Internet for commercial purposes is prohibited. 8. Users should not expect that files stored on district servers will always be private. School and network administrators may review files and communications to maintain system integrity and to ensure that the network is being used responsibly. 9. Intentionally accessing obscene materials unrelated to the charge of pursuing the educational objectives of the school district is prohibited.
PENALTY FOR VIOLATION OF INTERNET RESPONSIBILITIES: Failure to follow appropriate practices may result in disciplinary action including loss of the individual's access to the Internet. Serious abuses may result in suspension or expulsion. When applicable, law enforcement agencies may be involved. _________________________________________________ ________________ student name (print) date _________________________________________________ ________________ student signature grade I have read the student Internet Use Agreement. (Please check one of the boxes below.) ____ I DO give permission for my child to individually use the Internet for educational purposes at school. ____ I DO NOT give permission for my child to individually use the Internet for educational purposes at school _________________________________________________ parent/guardian name (print) _________________________________________________ _________________ parent/guardian signature date RETURN TO: Teacher distributing the form.
*This policy is adapted from the Eau-Claire School District.
Maderich, M. (Ed.). (2007, March 23). AUP Best Practices for K-12. Retrieved September 1, 2017, from http://aups.pbworks.com/w/page/8389890/AUP%20Best%20Practices%20for%20K-12. Maderich, M. (Ed.). (2007, March 23). Eau-Claire Sample Policy. Retrieved September 1, 2017, from http://aups.pbworks.com/w/page/8389893/Sample%20Policy-Eau%20Claire.