JS

File:  JS (pdf)
Adopted: November 27, 2001
Revised: October 23, 2012, May 26, 2020

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Associated Exhibits:  JS-E1, JS-E2

STUDENT USE OF TECHNOLOGY

The Board of Education believes that technology, including the Internet and electronic communications (email, chat rooms and others) have vast potential to support curriculum and student learning.

Use of technology requires students to think critically, analyze information, write clearly, use problem-solving skills, and hone computer and research skills that employers demand. Use of these tools also encourages an attitude of lifelong learning and offers an opportunity for students to participate in distance learning activities, ask questions of and consult with experts, communicate with other students and individuals, and locate material to meet educational and personal information needs. The Board believes technology should be used in schools as a learning resource to educate and to inform.

Student use is a privilege

Use of technology, including the Internet and electronic communications, demands personal responsibility and an understanding of the acceptable and unacceptable uses of such tools. Student use of technology, including the Internet and electronic communications, is a privilege, not a right. Students shall use district computers, devices and computer systems in a responsible, efficient, ethical and legal manner. Failure to follow the School District’s policies and expectations may result in the loss of the privilege to use these tools, require restitution for costs associated with damages, and may result in school disciplinary action, including suspension or expulsion, and/or legal action. The School District may deny, revoke or suspend access to district technology or close accounts at any time.

Students and parents/guardians shall be required to sign the School District's Acceptable Use Agreement annually before Internet or electronic communications accounts shall be issued or access shall be allowed.

Assigning student projects and monitoring student use

The School District will make reasonable efforts to see that technology, including the Internet and electronic communications, are used responsibly by students. Administrators, teachers and staff have a professional responsibility to work together to monitor students' use of technology, help students develop the intellectual skills needed to discriminate among information sources, to identify information appropriate to their age and developmental levels, and to evaluate and use information to meet their educational goals. Students shall have specifically defined objectives and search strategies prior to accessing material and information on the Internet and through electronic communications.

Opportunities shall be made available on a regular basis for parents to observe student use of the Internet and electronic communications in schools.

No expectation of privacy

School District technology and computer systems are owned by the School District and are intended for educational purposes at all times. Students shall have no expectation of privacy when using School District technology, including Internet or electronic communications. The School District reserves the right to monitor, inspect, copy, review and store (at any time and without prior notice) all usage of School District technology, including all Internet and electronic communications access and transmission/receipt of materials and information. All material and information accessed/received through School District computers and computer systems shall remain the property of the School District.

Unauthorized and unacceptable uses

Because technology and ways of using technology are constantly evolving, every unacceptable use of district computers and computer systems cannot be specifically described in policy.

Therefore, examples of unacceptable uses are detailed in the accompanying regulation.

Security

Security on School District technology and systems is a high priority. Students who identify a security problem while using technology, including the Internet or electronic communications must immediately notify a system administrator. Students should not demonstrate the problem to other users. Logging on to the Internet or electronic communications as a system administrator is prohibited.

Because technology and related security issues are constantly changing, not every practice that could jeopardize the School District’s technology resources and systems can be described in policy. Therefore, examples of security risks that violate the School District’s policies are detailed in the accompanying regulation.

Any user identified as a security risk, or as having a history of problems with other computer systems, may be denied access to the School District’s Internet and electronic communications.

Safety

In the interest of student safety, the School District shall educate students and parents about appropriate online behavior, including cyberbullying awareness and response, and interacting on social networking sites and in chat rooms.

Accessing obscene, pornographic and harmful information

Technology, including the Internet and electronic communications, present fluid environments in which students may access materials and information from many sources, including some that may be inappropriate for students. While it is impossible to predict with certainty what information students might locate or come into contact with, the School District shall take reasonable steps to protect students from accessing material and information that is obscene, child pornography or otherwise harmful to minors, as determined by the Board. Web and Email filtering software that blocks or filters material and information that is obscene, child pornography or otherwise harmful to minors, as determined by the Board, shall be installed in the District’s data center.

Students shall take responsibility for their own use of technology to avoid contact with material or information that may be harmful to minors. Students shall report access to material and information that is obscene, child pornography, harmful to minors or otherwise in violation of this policy to the supervising staff member and shall encourage others to report when appropriate.

School District makes no warranties

The School District makes no warranties of any kind, whether express or implied, related to the use of district computers and computer systems, including access to the Internet and electronic communications services. Providing access to these services does not imply endorsement by the School District of the content, nor does the School District make any guarantee as to the accuracy or quality of information received. The School District shall not be responsible for any damages, losses or costs a student suffers in using the Internet and electronic communications. This includes loss of data and service interruptions. Use of any information obtained via the Internet and electronic communications is at the student's own risk.

LEGAL REFS.:

20 U.S.C. § 6751 et seq. (Enhancing Education Through Technology Act of 2001)
47 U.S.C. § 254(h) (Children's Internet Protection Act of 2000)
47 U.S.C. § 231 (Childrenʼs Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998)
47 C.F.R. Part 54, Subpart F (Universal Support for Schools and Libraries)
C.R.S. § 22-87-101 et seq. (Childrenʼs Internet Protection Act)

 CROSS REFS.:

AC, Nondiscrimination/Equal Opportunity
JB, Equal Educational Opportunities

 

End of File: JS