AUP Fairfax County Public Schools

Fairfax County Public Schools’ Appropriate Use Policy for Students and Employees: 

Fairfax County Public Schools’ Appropriate Use Policy for Students and Employees Chanda Ijames EDTC 630 June 20, 2012

WHAT IS AN ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY (AUP)? : 

WHAT IS AN ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY (AUP)? According to M86 Security (2011), an “AUP is a written agreement signed by teachers, students, and their parents that outlines the term and conditions of Internet use, rules of online behavior, access privileges and penalties for violations of the policy.” The Fairfax County School (FCPS, March, 2012) system states an AUP is a “contract signed by parents and students—or guidelines for Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) network.”

Why schools have an Acceptable Use Policy?: 

Why schools have an Acceptable Use Policy? The Internet and school-wide computer networks are used for instructional purposes in the K-12 environment. Therefore, administrators must ensure student safety through the incorporation of the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA). CIPA requires schools receiving federal E-Rate funds to filter out “unwanted” Internet content, in an attempt to prevent online access to pictures and sites that are obscene, contain child pornography or are harmful to minors. Districts must establish Internet guidelines for the appropriate use of computer networks, AUPs, in order to comply with CIPA.

What are the critical components of an AUP?: 

What are the critical components of an AUP? The Acceptable Use Policy should state the reason for the policy and what the policy covers. The Policy Statement should include how students will be accessing the Internet, how the Internet will be used in the classroom, how access to inappropriate and harmful materials will be restricted. Key words used in the document should be defined. Specific examples of acceptable uses should be provided. Specific examples of unacceptable uses should be provided. Specific examples of disciplinary action that violators should expect for abusing Web use. Teachers and students should be required to acknowledge and sign permission forms before their account can be accessed . Privacy Statement : Informs students and staff that privacy on the Internet is relative. It makes clear the fact that the school may find it necessary to view data or files on the system. It also reminds users that c onfidentiality of information stored on the network isn’t guaranteed. Disclaimer of Liability: This statement should be drafted so as to protect against inappropriate use, copyright violations , or accuracy of information found on a school's system.

Components of THE aup for FCPS students: 

Components of THE aup for FCPS students Respect for Others: Respect the rights of others using the FCPS computers and networks. Use assigned workstations as directed. Being considerate when using scarce resources . Always logging off workstations after finishing work. Ethical Conduct for Users: Use FCPS systems and network resources for school system business. Keep personal use of such resources of minimum. Only use assigned accounts. Never share the passwords for your network login or other individual accounts. The password to a generic or group account shall stay within the designated user group. Recognize and honor the intellectual property of others. Don’t plagiarize. Comply the legal restrictions regarding the use and citation of others’ work. Respect for Property : The only software, other than students’ projects, to be used on school computers or the school network are those products that the school may legally use . The modification of any copyrighted software or borrowing software is prohibited. Keyboards, individual key caps, monitors, printers, or other peripheral shouldn’t be rearranged or modified. Workstations and peripherals must remain in their designated places. Internet Safety and Security: Information may not be posted if it: violates the privacy of others, jeopardizes the health and safety of students, is obscene or libelous, causes disruption of school activities, plagiarizes the work of o thers, is a commercial advertisement , or is not approved by the principal or program manager. Users shouldn’t delete or change files belonging to others. Online chat and real-time messaging may only be used with the permission of the program manager or teacher . APPROPRIATE USE OF FAIRFAX COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS’ NETWORK AND INTERNET RESOURCES REGULATION 6410.14 (ATTACHMENT A: Acceptable Use Policy for Student Network Access) & (Attachment B: Acceptable Use Policy for Staff Members and Contractors Systems and Network Access) http://www.boarddocs.com/vsba/fairfax/Board.nsf/files/8ST4GW6B279F/$file/R6410.pdf

COMPONENTS OF THE AUP FOR FCPS STAFF MEMBERS AND CONTRACTORS: 

COMPONENTS OF THE AUP FOR FCPS STAFF MEMBERS AND CONTRACTORS Property Ownership Don’t install personal software on school system equipment unless authorized by an school-based technology specialist (SBTS), a technology support specialist ( TSSpec ), or a program manager. Contact an SBTS, or a TSSpec for assistance for modifying, removing, or rearranging keyboards, individuals key caps, monitors, printers, or any other peripheral equipment. Report equipment problems immediately to an SBTS, a TSSpec , or a program manager. Respect for Others: Respect for rights of others using FCPS computers and network Using assigned workstations as directed. Being considerate when using scarce resources. Always logging off workstations after finishing work. Ethical Conduct and Appropriate Use Use FCPS systems and network resources for school system business. Keep personal use of such resources to a minimum. Use only assigned accounts. Never share the passwords for your network login or other individual accounts. The password to a generic or group account shall stay within the designated user group. Do not use the FCPS network or systems to access any portion of the Internet that is inconsistent with the educational mission of FCPS.

How do you implement the AUP in the classroom? : 

How do you implement the AUP in the classroom? Effective enforcement begins with regular monitoring of student online activities. Teachers should familiarize students with the violations associated with inappropriate Internet behavior. The intent of the enforcement should be designed to not only apply disciplinary action but to change Internet behavioral habits and steer students to educationally-focused content . Discuss the rules of Net Etiquette . http://www.albion.com/netiquette/corerules.html

Does the aup of fcps contain the critical components?: 

Does the aup of fcps contain the critical components? The reason for the policy and what the policy covers is clearly defined. To provide requirements and assign responsibilities that are consistent with Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) educational objectives and security requirements for the use of Internet resources and network services by FCPS. This regulation covers all users of FCPS network services . Key words used in the AUP are defined. The key terms are defined in the scope section of the FCPS Appropriate Use of Network and Internet Resources document (Regulation 6410.14). Policy Statement should include how students will be accessing the Internet, how the Internet will be used in the classroom, how access to inappropriate and harmful materials will be restricted . All access to the FCPS network shall be pre-approved by the principal or program manager. The information systems and Internet access available through FCPS are available to support learning, enhance instruction, and support school system business practice. FCPS implements Internet filtering on all FCPS sites in accordance with the federal Children’s Internet Protection Act. Specific examples of acceptable uses are provided. Not Applicable

Does the aup of fcps contain the critical components? (Cont.): 

Does the aup of fcps contain the critical components? (Cont.) Specific examples of unacceptable uses are provided. Refrain from using offensive, obscene, or harassing language when using FCPS network systems. Abstain from accessing, changing, or deleting files belonging to others . Specific examples of disciplinary action that violators should expect for violating Web use . Disruptive or Inappropriate Behavior in the 2011-2012 Student Rights and Responsibilities Grades K-12 Handbook The following violations shall result in disciplinary action at the discretion of the principal: Unauthorized or illegal use of, or access to, computers, software, telecommunications, or related technologies and any willful act that causes physical, financial, or other harm to, or otherwise disrupts, information technology. Forgery, cheating, plagiarism, or dishonesty, including the use of portable communication devices for such purpose. Use of a portable communication device without express authorization from the principal, possession of any such device in plain view, or possession of any such device that is turned on. As employed herein, the term ―portable communication device‖ shall include, but not be limited to, any beeper, cell phone, or other similar device that is capable of sending and/or receiving audio, video, picture, electronic-mail, or text messages. In the event of a violation of this provision, the student shall be subject to disciplinary action hereunder, and the portable communication device used or possessed by such student shall be subject to confiscation by school officials. Principals may elect to return the portable communication device to the student’s parent or guardian or to return the portable communication device to the student and contact the parent or guardian. The school or office may restrict or terminate any user’s access, without prior notice, if such action is deemed necessary to maintain computing availability and security for other users of the system (AUP ). Teachers and students are required to acknowledge and sign permission forms before their account can be accessed. Schools shall require that all students and parents sign the acceptable use policy document (Attachment A) and retain a copy of the signed document in the main office. School shall require that all staff member s and contractors sign the acceptable use document (Attachment B) and retain a coy of the signed document in the main office.

Suggestions/Recommendations for the FCPS’ appropriate Use Policy: 

Suggestions/Recommendations for the FCPS’ appropriate Use Policy Provide specific examples of acceptable uses. Penalties for improper use should be clearly outlined in the AUP. A disclaimer of liability and privacy statement needs to be added to the AUP. Access to the Internet safety web site should be available on computers outside of the FCPS system .

RESOURCES: 

RESOURCES Acceptable Use Policy: AUP http :// compnetworking.about.com/od/filetransferprotocol/a/aup_use_policy.htm Equal Measure: Shielding Students and Enabling Access http ://ezproxy.umuc.edu/login?url=http:// search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=f5h&AN=73879696&site=eds-live&scope=site WiredKids : Stop Bullying http://www.stopcyberbullying.org / iSafe : e-Safety Education http://www.isafe.org / Core Rules of Netiquette http:// www.albion.com/netiquette/corerules.html Los Angeles Unified School District AUP http:// askitd.net/departments/iss/security/aup

references: 

references Bosco , J. (2010). Acceptable use policies in a web 2.0 era. Participatory Learning in Schools: Leadership & Policy: Consortium for School Networking. Retrieved from http:// www.cosn.org/Initiatives/Web2/AUPGuide/tabid/8139/Default.aspx Fairfax County Public Schools. (2012, March, 27). Appropriate Use of Fairfax County Public Schools’ Network and Internet Resources. Retrieved from http ://www.boarddocs.com/vsba/fairfax/Board.nsf/files/8ST4GW6B279F/$ file/R6410.pdf Fairfax County Public Schools. (2011, August, 15 ). Fairfax County Public Schools: Student Rights and Responsibilities 2011-2012. Retrieved from http://www.fcps.edu/dss/ips/ssaw/SRR/SRR2011-12.pdf M86 Security. (2010). Internet acceptable use policy best practices for K-12. Retrieved from http://lib.trinity.edu/research/citing/APAelectronicsources.pdf