Acceptable Use Policy

1
Acceptable Use Policy

• A written agreement in the form of guidelines,
  signed by students, their parents, and their
  teachers, outlining the terms and conditions of
  Internet use, rules of online behavior, and
  access privileges.

2
Why is an Acceptable Use Policy necessary?

• The Internet is a powerful tool for
  students and educators. Information on just about
  any subject can be found on thousands of Internet
  sites. Teachers can find lesson plans and/or
  information about almost any subject taught in
  the classroom and students can further develop
  their computer skills by using this information
  superhighway. By using Internet resources in
  classroom activities, students can find
  information not available in school libraries.
  These resources can expand the students
  perspectives far beyond their imaginations and in
  many instances, students can take field trips
  without even leaving the classroom.

3

• If it sounds too good to be true, it
  probably is can be applied to the Internet. Not
  only does it contain valuable educational
  information, it also contains a lot that is not
  suitable for students. A small percentage of
  Internet sites contain information that can be
  objectionable for racial, sexist, political,
  sexual, or other reasons.

4

• The Internet is an international linking
  of networks that is nearly impossible to censor.
  Filtering or blocking software may be used to
  limit site access, but almost any student can
  learn to bypass such software and find
  objectionable sites. In addition, this software
  could limit access to valuable educational
  information.

5

• Another way of controlling content is to
  limit access to certain categories of Internet
  services, such as electronic mail or newsgroups.
  However, this course of action may limit student
  access to many educational benefits.
• The wisest approach is to teach
  students responsible behavior and allow them to
  access the Internet in degrees based on their
  behavior. This approach assists students in
  developing a sense of responsibility for their
  actions and builds a strong bond between student
  and teacher.

6
Components of an AUP

• A description of the instructional strategies and
  philosophies that are to be supported by Internet
  access in schools.
• A statement on the educational uses and
  advantages of the Internet in your school or
  county.
• A list of the responsibilities of educators,
  parents, and students for using the Internet.
• A code of conduct governing behavior on the
  Internet.
• A description of the consequences of violating
  the AUP.

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• A description of what constitutes acceptable and
  unacceptable use of the Internet.
• A disclaimer absolving the school or county,
  under specific circumstances, from
  responsibility.
• A statement reminding users that Internet access
  and the use of computer networks is a privilege.
• A statement that the AUP is in compliance with
  state and national telecommunication rules and
  regulations.
• A signature form for teachers, parents, and
  students indicating their intent to abide by the
  AUP.

8
Sample Acceptable Use Policy

• Dear Parents,
• When it comes to reading and language arts, the
  Internet is a great
• tool. Thats because literacy is about
  communicating and sharing
• information. Your child will have access to
  appropriate sites on the
• Internet in a supervised classroom environment.
• Attached are guidelines for Internet use at our
  school. Please read
• the guidelines and go over them with your child.
  Then sign the
• bottom to show that you and your child understand
  and accept the
• rules for using the Internet at school. You, of
  course, have the option to deny permission for
  your child to use the Internet at school.
• Please call me if you have any questions. We will
  be displaying our
• computer area at the Open House on _____.
• Sincerely,
• Teacher Name

9
Sample Acceptable Use Policy

• District Guidelines for Student Use of the
  Internet
• 1. Be courteous and respectful in your messages
  to others.
• 2. Do not reveal your home address or phone
  number, or those of other students.
• Use the school address and phone number only.
• 3. Do not use the network in such a way that you
  disrupt the use of the network by others.
• 4. Do not use language that is considered
  offensive or threatening to persons of a
  particular race, gender, religion, or sexual
  orientation or to persons with
• disabilities. Treat others as you would wish
  to be treated.
• 5.Vandalism will result in cancellation of your
  privileges. Vandalism is any
• attempt to harm or destroy another persons data
  or the schools software or
• hardware.

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Sample Acceptable Use Policy

• Online Safety Rules
• 1. I will not give out personal information
  without my parents permission.
• 2. I will not send my picture to anyone with
  getting permission.
• 3. I will tell my teacher or parents right away
  if I read anything that makes me
• uncomfortable.
• 4. I will never agree to meet in person anyone I
  encounter online without first
• checking with my parents.
• 5. I will not buy or order anything online or
  give out credit-card information
• without asking my parents.
• Student signature _______________________________
• Parent signature ________________________________
• 41 Acceptable Use Policies www.sfreading.com