DIST AUP And NEA Comparison

3.1 AUP Field Research JoAnn Lopez

National Education Association

To promote educational excellence and prepare students for success in the 21st century, Pueblo School District No. 60 (hereafter referred to as “the district”) provides its students with access to the district’s network, servers, computers, hardware, software, communication systems and other technology devices that have the ability to connect to the Internet (hereafter referred to as “district technology”).

Preamble-Explains why the policy is needed, its goals, and the process of developing the policy.  This section should say that the school’s overall code of conduct also applies to student online activity.

See Above

Definition Section- Defines key words used in the policy.  Words and terms such as internet, computer network, education purpose, and other possibly ambiguous terms need to be defined and explained to ensure student and parent comprehension.

In the interest of student safety, the district shall educate students about appropriate online behavior, including cyber bullying awareness and response, and interacting on social networking sites, chat rooms, and other forms of direct electronic communications.

Policy Statement-Must tell what computer services are covered by the AUP and the circumstances under which students can use computer services.  Schools may, for example, base student access to computer services on the completion of a “computer responsibility” class that will enhance student understanding of the AUP guidelines.

Activities that are permitted and encouraged include:

•      school work

•      original creation and presentation of academic work

•      research on topics being studied in school

•      research for opportunities outside of school related to community service, employment, or further education

Acceptable uses section-Must define appropriate student use of the computer network.  It may, for example, limit student se of the network to “educational purposes,” which then must be defined.

Because technology and its use are constantly evolving, every unacceptable use of district technology or personal technology cannot be specifically described in this policy. Examples of unacceptable uses include, but are not limited to, those listed immediately below and in subsequent sections of this policy.

Students shall not use district technology or personal technology to:

•      harass, threaten, demean, bully or promote violence or hatred against another person or group of persons, or to promote or advocate the destruction of property, including, but not limited to, access to information concerning the manufacturing or purchasing of destructive devices or weapons

Unacceptable uses section-The AUP should give clear, specific examples of what constitutes unacceptable student use.  In determining what is unacceptable, the committee charged with drafting the AUP must consider.

While using district technology or personal technology on district property, in district vehicles and at district-sponsored activities, students shall act in an appropriate manner and in accordance with Board, school, and district policies and procedures, and applicable law. It is the joint responsibility of district and school personnel and students’ parent(s)/guardian(s) to educate students about their responsibilities and to establish expectations when students use or access district and personal technology.

Violations/Sanctions-Should tell students how to report violations of the policy or whom to question about its application.  “As a practical matter,” says the NEA, “the AUP may simply provide that violations will be handled in accordance with the school’s general student disciplinary code.”