Series 6000: Instruction

6141.323 Internet Acceptable Use: Filtering

Filtering should only be viewed as one of a number of techniques used to manage student's access to the Internet and encourage acceptable usage. It should not be viewed as a foolproof approach to preventing access to inappropriate material. Filtering should be used in conjunction with: 

• Educating students to be "Net-smart" 

• Using recognized Internet gateways as a searching tool and/or homepage for students, in order to facilitate access to appropriate material; 

• Using "Acceptable Use Agreements;" 

• Using behavior management practices for which Internet access privileges can be earned or lost; and 

• Appropriate supervision, either in person and/or electronically. 

The placement of filters on District computers/computer systems is viewed as an exercise of the Board's ability to determine educational suitability of all material used in the schools. 

Filters may be utilized with District schools to (1) block pre-selected sites, (2) block by word, (3) block entire categories like chat and newsgroups, and ( 4) through a pre-selected list of approved sites. 

The Superintendent of Schools is directed to establish guidelines and procedures for responsible use of computers, computer systems, software, electronic access privileges, and networks provided by the Board of Education. 

(cf. 6141.321 -Acceptable Use of the Internet) 

(cf. 6141.322- Web Sites/Pages) 

Legal Reference: Connecticut General Statutes 

l -19(b )(11) Access to public records. Exempt records. 

10-1 Sb Access of parent or guardians to student's records. 

10-209 Records not to be public. 

1 l -8a Retention, destruction and transfer of documents 

1 l -8b Transfer or disposal of public records. State Library Board to adopt regulations.

46b-56 (e) Access to Records of Minors. 

Connecticut Public Records Administration Schedule V - Disposition of  Education Records (Revised 1983). 

Federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (section 438 of  the General Education Provisions Act, as amended, added by section 513 of  PL 93-568, codified at 20 U.S.C. 1232g.). 

Dept. of Education. 34 CFR. Part 99 (May 9, 1980 45 FR 30802) regs.  implementing FERP A enacted as part of 438 of General Education  Provisions Act (20 U.S.C. 1232g)-parent and student privacy and other  rights with respect to educational records, as amended 11/21/96. 

HR 4577, Fiscal 2001 Appropriations Law ( contains Children's Internet  Protection Act) 

Public Law 94-553, The Copyright Act of 1976, 17 U.S.C. 101 et. seq.  Reno v. ACLU, 521 U.S. 844 (1997) 

Ginsberg v. New York, 390 U.S. 629, at 642, n.10 (1968) 

Board of Education v. Pico, 457 U.S. 868 (1988) 

Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier, 484 U.S. 620,267 (1988)  20 U.S.C. Section 6777 No Child Left Behind 

October 15, 2007 THOMASTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS  Thomaston, Connecticut