Handbook » Computer Acceptable Use Policy

Computer Acceptable Use Policy

Acceptable Use of Technology Agreement for Bradley County Schools Students

Students in Bradley County Schools (BCS) must develop the research, information fluency, and technology skills  that will allow them to be successful in this digital world, as well as the skills necessary to live safely and ethically.  Computer access and access to the Internet, digital communication and collaboration tools, and online learning spaces are  critical to teaching these skills. The guidelines set forth in this document are based on the Children’s Internet Protection Act  (CIPA), Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), Bradley County Schools’ Board of Education Policy 4.406 Use of Internet*, and the 1-to-1 Technology Guidelines & Contractual Agreement to promote safe, legal, and ethical use of  technology in the District. 

Failure to adhere to district policies, procedures, and guidelines for the use of district technology resources may result in  revocation or restriction of access privileges and / or disciplinary action as defined in their respective school’s Student/Parent/School Handbook,  and 1-to-1 Technology Guidelines & Contractual Agreement. In addition to the  district's standard consequences for misbehavior, any network misuse or illegal activities may result in contact with the  student's parent/guardian, or if a violation of law has occurred, contact with law enforcement authorities.

I will:

    • Follow all district and classroom policies, procedures, and guidelines when using technology.
    • Use all district technology resources to create files and projects for school related work, research, and college and  career planning.
    • Keep my usernames and passwords private.
    • Treat others with respect and use appropriate language in all of my electronic interactions with others.
    • Immediately tell a teacher or other adult staff member if I receive an electronic comment or communication that  makes me feel uncomfortable, or if I accidentally access inappropriate materials, pictures, video, or websites.
    • Respect the work and intellectual property rights of others, and I will not intentionally copy, damage, or delete  another user's work. I will properly cite my sources when I use someone's information, pictures, media, or other  work in my own projects and assignments Bradley County Schools’ Board of Education Policy 4.404 Use of Copyrighted Material**.
    • Respect the privacy of others. I will limit all in-school photography, video, and audio recording to educational use.  I understand that this applies to both district technology resources and my personal electronic devices.

 

I will not:

    • Use district technology resources to find, create, or send information to spread lies or misinformation; or harass,  harm, or bully others (***refer to BCBOE Board Policy 6.304 Student Discrimination, Harassment, Bullying, Cyber-bullying, and Intimidation) .
    • Use technology to gain unauthorized or inappropriate access to district technology resources (*).
    • Use, retrieve, store, or send improper language, pictures, or other digital content (*).
    • Use the District issued email for political lobbying or communicate with elected representatives nor express opinion on political issues. (Little Hatch Act, Tennessee Code Annotated § 8-30-306)
    • Cheat - by using district technology resources or my personal electronic device. I will not get or give answers to tests;  search for and / or copy answers or information on the Internet or other electronic resources contained on or in any  technology resource or device; copy and submit someone else's information or assignment as my own; or conduct  other similar forms of electronic cheating.
    • Access inappropriate or blocked resources using personal Wi-Fi accounts, 3G/4G, anonymous proxy sites, or by  any other manner while on district property during school hours (*).
    • Share or post any personally identifiable information about others or myself that could help someone locate or  contact others or me. This includes such things as email address, full name, home or school address, phone  number, parent's or guardian's names, and school name (*). (****media release form on file at their respective school)

 

I understand:

    • Use of district technology resources, including networks, computers or mobile devices, and the Internet is a  privilege, which may be denied, revoked, or restricted at any time for misuse or abusive conduct (*).
    • All BCS students (grades K-12)  are issued an email account that is managed by the District. Student accounts are deactivated June 30th after their senior year.
    • BCS reserves all rights to control its technology resources and may monitor or restrict a user's technology  resources. The District may search any district device that is assigned to a  user; and retrieve, alter, and delete any data created, received, or  maintained by any user using district technology resources (*).
    • Impero, a BCS monitoring resource, is used for accountability measures and may require parent involvement and intervention.
    • Loss, damage, or unavailability of data stored on the system regardless of  the cause is not the responsibility of BCS.
    • Online learning spaces and communication and collaboration tools should be treated as a classroom space, and  language and behavior that is not appropriate in the physical classroom is not appropriate in online spaces, no  matter what time of day or location those spaces are accessed (*)(**).
    • Devices issued by BCS are deployed, tracked, and managed by One to One Plus. I am responsible for returning the undamaged device upon request.

 

Acceptable Use of Technology Agreement for Students

Assignments in online learning spaces are just like any other assignment in school, and students are expected to  follow all policies and procedures in the Student/Parent/School Handbook, including all policies related to cheating,  plagiarism, and acceptable use of technology.

Personal electronic devices are at an increased risk of being stolen, misplaced, or damaged, and BCS is not  responsible for any damage or theft of personal property.

Use of personal electronic devices during the school day should be limited to legitimate educational purposes. Refer to the Student/Parent/School Handbook for the respective school’s policy personal devices.

 I may be subject to disciplinary action for using technology in violation of district policies, procedures, guidelines,  or the Student/Parent/School Handbook.

By signing below, I agree to follow the Bradley County Schools Acceptable Use of Technology Agreement for Students. I understand my use of district technology resources is a  privilege and requires proper online behavior. 

Student Name (Please Print): _________________________________________________     

School: _________________________________________              Grade: ____________

Student Signature  : __________________________________Date: _________________

Parent/Guardian Notice and Permission Filter Within the schools, the BCS provides students with access to various technology resources, including a wide range of educational resources  through the Internet. The District uses content filtering technology in compliance with the Children's Internet Protection  Act (CIPA) on all school computers with Internet access to protect against unacceptable web content. However, because no web filtering technology is 100% safe, the District makes every effort to monitor online activity. 

Parent and Guardian Rights Outside of school, parents/guardians bear responsibility for providing guidance on Internet use, just as they do with other  information sources such as television, radio, movies, and other possibly offensive media. Parents/guardians are responsible  for monitoring their child's use of the Internet and access to district technology resources, including online learning spaces,  collaboration tools, and educational resources.

 

While parents/guardians DO NOT have the right to use technology resources, including devices and BCS issued email accounts, for their own personal use for purchasing goods or services, they do bear certain responsibilities(*). Parents/guardians have the right at any time to review the contents of their child's electronic data and email files. In the event  that a parent/guardian has a serious concern regarding their child's safety and wishes to review their child's electronic files,  they must submit their request in writing to the school principal. The request must include the student's name,  school name, a list of files, screenshots, or accounts names and usernames (Twitter @studentusername), and the reason for requesting a copy of their child's files.  The building principal will work with the Information Technology Department to obtain copies of the files. 

Parents/guardians also have the right to request termination of their child's computer and account access through a written request. Parents/guardians  should be aware that their decision to limit or eliminate access to technology resources will significantly affect their child's  ability to work collaboratively on projects and assignments, and will hamper the development of skills necessary to live and  work in this increasingly digital world. 

Parents/guardians who wish to terminate their child's access to district technology resources must provide a written request to the school principal. Without a written request, the District will assume that permission has been granted for the student to access the Internet, electronic resources, and online learning spaces. 

 

By signing below, I acknowledge that I have reviewed the acceptable use guidelines, and I give permission for my child to use district technology resources and access the Internet. 

Parent / Guardian Name (Please Print): ________________________________________________

Parent/Guardian Signature: _________________________________________ Date: _________

 

 

LEGAL REFERENCES:

47 U.S.C. §254 (Children's Internet Protection Act of 2000 (CIPA)) 47 C.F.R. § 54.520 (FCC rules implementing CIPA)

*Bradley County Schools’ Board of Education Policy 4.406 Use of Internet

**Bradley County Schools’ Board of Education Policy 4.404 Use of Copyrighted Material

***Bradley County Schools’ Board of Education Policy 6.304 Student Discrimination, Harassment, Bullying, Cyber- bullying, and Intimidation

**** Bradley County Schools’ Board of Education Policy 6601 Student Directory Information; Media Release

Revised: 1-14-2021

Student Rights

Free Speech

      1. The BCS Network system is considered a limited forum, similar to the school newspaper, and therefore Bradley County Schools may restrict your speech for valid educational reasons. Bradley County Schools will not restrict your speech on the basis of a disagreement with the opinions you are expressing.

 Search and Seizure

      1. You should expect no privacy in the contents of your personal files or messages on the BCS Network. As a Bradley County Schools student, the situation is similar to the rights you have in the privacy of your locker.
      2. Routine maintenance and monitoring of the BCS Network may lead to discovery that you have violated this policy in your use of the BCS Network. You will be provided with a written notice of the suspected violation and an opportunity to present an explanation before your building principal.
      3. If the violation also involves a violation of other provisions of the building level disciplinary code, it will be handled in a manner described in the building level disciplinary code. Additional restrictions may be placed on your use of your Internet account.

Due Process

      1. Bradley County Schools will cooperate fully with local, state, or federal officials in any investigation related to illegal activities conducted through the BCS Network. In the event there is a claim that you have violated this policy or building level disciplinary code in your use of the BCS Network, you will be provided with written notice of the suspected violation and an opportunity to present and explanation before your building principal.
      2. As a Bradley County Schools student if the violation also involves a violation of other provisions of the building level disciplinary code, it will be handled in a manner described in the discipline code.

Limitation of Liability

      1. Bradley County Schools makes no guarantee that the functions or the services provided by or through the BCS Network system will be error-free or without defect. Bradley County Schools will not be responsible for any damage you may suffer, including but not limited to, loss of data or interruptions of service. Bradley County Schools is not responsible for the accuracy or quality of the information obtained through or stored on the system. Bradley County Schools will not be responsible for financial obligations arising through the unauthorized use of the system.

 

BCS NETWORK PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY

 

When using the BCS Network, you as a student create a digital footprint that is unique to you and your computer usage. Please note that the BCS Network is monitored 24/7 and that you have a responsibility to use Bradley Central High School equipment appropriately at all times. Furthermore, a violation of the BCS Network Policy will result in disciplinary actions as well as forfeiture of the rights to use any BCS technological equipment during your time in Bradley County Schools.