Session One: Role of BCPS

Internet Safety:

The Role of Baltimore County Public Schools

Acceptable Use Policies

In order for schools to insure that their students are using the Internet safely and appropriately, many have developed a contract or agreement that students must sign before they are given Internet access.

These contracts, called "Acceptable Use Policies," set forth the rules for responsible behavior and give the school system enforceable rules that help in protecting their students.

Failure to abide by the rules may result in suspension of computer privileges or, for more serious offenses, expulsion and/or prosecution.

**Acceptable Use Policies**
In order for schools to insure that their students are using the Internet safely and appropriately, many have developed a contract or agreement that students must sign before they are given Internet access. These contracts, called "Acceptable Use Policies," set forth the rules for responsible behavior and give the school system enforceable rules that help in protecting their students. Failure to abide by the rules may result in suspension of computer privileges or, for more serious offenses, expulsion and/or prosecution.

BCPS Telecommunications Policy

The BCPS Telecommunications Policy, prepared by the Office of Library and Information Technology and adopted on June 9, 1997, delineates the Acceptable Use Policy for the Baltimore County Public Schools system.

The introduction to this document briefly states the issues which the policy seeks to address:

"Telecommunications is an exciting frontier that offers new opportunities and poses new challenges. Information technologies, such as the Internet, turn the whole world into an at-hand educational resource. Schools have an obligation to educate students in the use of these technologies and to provide a safe learning environment. Adequately preparing students for this new era requires a commitment from the entire educational community to formulate guidelines for the use of telecommunications, to learn about the content of these tools, and to become informed about their use and the potential for abuse. The community should set standards for acceptable use of telecommunications and measures for enforcement."

Telecommunications Acceptable Use Policy for Students (Form A)

Baltimore County Public School students are required to sign a form which outlines the Acceptable Use Policy for use of the Internet at school. This form can be viewed online, but requires that Adobe Acrobat Reader be installed on the computer you are using to access the Internet.

Click here to view Page One of the Telecommunications Acceptable Use Policy for Students

Click here to view Page Two of the Telecommunications Acceptable Use Policy for Students

Complete BCPS Telecommunications Policies
There are many other aspects of Internet use covered in the Telecommunications Policies, including an Acceptable Use Policy for Employees and Parental Permission Forms for Publishing Student Work on the Internet. To access the complete policy and these additional forms, click here.

**Telecommunications Acceptable Use Policy for Students (Form A)**
Baltimore County Public School students are required to sign a form which outlines the Acceptable Use Policy for use of the Internet at school. This form can be viewed online, but requires that Adobe Acrobat Reader be installed on the computer you are using to access the Internet. Click here to view Page One of the Telecommunications Acceptable Use Policy for Students Click here to view Page Two of the Telecommunications Acceptable Use Policy for Students

**Complete BCPS Telecommunications Policies**
There are many other aspects of Internet use covered in the Telecommunications Policies, including an Acceptable Use Policy for Employees and Parental Permission Forms for Publishing Student Work on the Internet. To access the complete policy and these additional forms, click here.

Next

Session One Introduction

Facts and
Figures
Definitions
Benefits
and Risks

Role of Parents

Role of BCPS

Content Evaluation

Session Evaluation

Feedback