Series 6000: Instruction

6141.322 Posting of Student Work/Photographs

The District has an obligation to protect student safety and to balance this with the need for open communications when using the Internet. Therefore, the Board established these guidelines to fulfill this obligation.

The purposes of these guidelines are to:

1. inform school staff of the possible dangers of allowing students to publish identifying information on the Internet;

2. recognize that there are potential advantages of allowing students to publish identifying information on the Internet; and

3. provide to schools a recommended set of guidelines governing how student identifying information should be allowed in publishing on the Internet.

Guidelines:

• Only first names be used in published student work.

• Pictures that are a part of student publishing should not include identifying information.

• Under no circumstances should a student’s home address or phone number be included.

• If replies to published student work are appropriate, the sponsoring teacher’s address should be the e-mail address displayed, not the student’s.

• In special circumstances with parent-signed release, identifying information can be added.

• Directory information will not be posted on the web for students who have requested, in writing, that such information not be released.

It is recognized by the Board that there may be circumstances where it might be appropriate for high school students to provide identifying information along with work published on the Internet. An example of such an appropriate circumstance might be college entrance or employment opportunities that may be enhanced by viewing a student’s work on the Internet.

In making this determination, the high school student and the supervisory staff member must weigh the potential for risk against the perceived advantage of posting this identifying information. Parental approval, in addition to that of school staff, is required where there is uncertainty regarding the posting of identifying information for high school students.
                                                                                                                                                                     

Computers: Web Sites/Pages

(cf. 1110 - Communication with the Public)

(cf. 5125 - Student Records)

(cf. 5145.2 - Freedom of Speech/Expression)

(cf. 6141.321 - Internet Use)

(cf. 6141.322 - District/School/Staff/Student Web Sites and Web Pages)

(cf. 6145.3 - Publications)

(cf. 6162.6 - Use of Copy Devises, Copyrights)

Legal Reference:    

Connecticut General Statutes

1-19(b)(11) Access to public records. Exempt records.

10-15b Access of parent or guardians to student's records.

11-8a Retention, destruction and transfer of documents

11-8b 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 the General Education Provisions Act, as amended, added by section 513 of P.L. 93-568, codified at 20 U.S.C. 1232g.).

Dept. of Education 34 C.F.R. Part 99 (May 9, 1980 45 FR 30802) regs. implementing FERPA 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. Public Law 94-553, The Copyright Act of 1976, 17 U.S.C. 101 et. seq. 

Policy updated: February 12, 2024 THOMASTONPUBLIC SCHOOLS Thomaston, Connecticut