Acceptable Use Policy
The District where I am employed utilizes an Acceptable Use Policy in order to allow its schools to use technology in a safe and responsible manner. The AUP was designed for grades 6-12. Elementary students are not upheld to the AUP because they will be introduced to any computer-related technologies by their teachers/computer facilitators. All employees and students (grades 6-12) are required to sign a form stating that they have read and agree to the District’s Rules for Acceptable Use. To have access to the Internet, students are also required to have a parent/guardian sign the Acceptable Use Form.
After researching the definition of an Acceptable Use Policy, and viewing various examples of AUP’s, I have a good idea as to what should be included into the policy. My District’s AUP begins with a description of its purpose. In the purpose, the District describes that the goal is to “promote educational excellence” through the use of technology. It also “encourages the use of computer-assisted communications, such as the Internet, when those communications support the curricula of the district and enhances the learning process.” At the end of the purpose the AUP is introduced as it will maintain proper use of the network.
Section A. of the policy discusses access to the system and its privileges. Any user with a password protected account is permitted to use the following as long as it promotes the District’s goals and objectives:
Students are not issued password protected accounts, so the above applies to the faculty and staff. I think the way the District words the above section is good. The faculty and staff are given the freedom to participate in various features of the Internet; however, they must do it with goals of the District in mind.
The rules for Acceptable Use are outlined in Section D. The policy mentions the rules for communicating over the network or Internet, copyright and plagiarism, considerate use of the system, and prohibited activities. The consequences for violating the policy are stated. Not only is a loss of Internet access a consequence, but other disciplinary actions that consistent with school policy could also be enforced. I thought it was important that the policy included that various law enforcement agencies would be involved, if necessary. This point could help send a message to both students and faculty as to the seriousness of the policy.
The District says that it cannot guarantee that the network will be error-free, and that no objectionable material will be accessed. I think it is a good idea for the District to limit its liability. New web sites are created everyday, and unfortunately not all of them are acceptable. It is virtually impossible for schools to control the information on the Internet, which is why there is an AUP. If the AUP is followed then there is little chance of inappropriate material being accessed.
If I was to change one thing about my District’s AUP it would be to include a student version of the policy. Although the language used in the policy is not terribly difficult to understand, it is possible to confuse some students especially on the middle school level. A student version might help prevent future violations by allowing the students to fully understand the guidelines in the policy.
Works Cited
What is AUP? Webopedia. Retrieved December 13, 2006
http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/A/AUP.html
Acceptable Internet Use Poilices – A Handbook. Virginia Department of Education
Retrieved December 13, 2006
http://www.pen.k12.va.us/VDOE/Technology/AUP/home.shtml
Acceptable Use Policies for Internet Use. Media Awareness Network. Retrieved December 13, 2006
http://www.media-awareness.ca/english/resources/special_initiatives/wa_resources/wa_teachers/backgrounders/acceptable_use.cfm
Rahway Board of Education Acceptable Use Policy (2001). Retrieved December 11, 2006
Using the Internet in Education
New Jersey City University
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Date of revision: December 15, 2006