1	Baltimore County Public Schools Telecommunications Policy 2003 Revision
2	RATIONALE Based on MISSION Improve achievement for all students. Maintain a safe and orderly learning environment in every school. Use resources effectively and efficiently.
3	CHALLENGES Provide access to the Internet educational tool and protect students from its potential risks. Define safe and appropriate use of the Internet by students and employees. Dovetail into related U.S. laws and BCPS policies in a legally responsible manner.
4	HISTORY 1996 Internet Task Force Study Vision Instructional Benefits Connectivity Safe and Appropriate Use Web Publishing
5	2003 Revision
6	Process Involved educators, parents, and community. Conduct research Study of existing BCPS Policies Consultations with experts and stakeholders Legal opinion Presentation to the Board of Education Policy Development Committee Presentation to open meeting of the Board of Education Public review and comment for 45 days Board approval
7	Dovetail with U.S. Law Copyright Act Electronic Communications Privacy Act Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act Children's Online Protection Act Equal Access Act First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution
8	Dovetail with BCPS Related Policies 1110 Community Relations - Communication with the Public 4005 Personnel - General - Dating or Sexual Relations Between Staff and Students 4115 Personnel - Professional - Responsibilities, Duties, and Code of Ethic 6163.2 Instruction - Selection of Instructional Materials 8363 Ethics Code - Conflict of Interest 8365 Ethics Code - Lobbying Disclosure
9	Telecommunications Policies and Rules Acceptable Use Policy for Students Acceptable Use Policy for Employees Communications with the Public (Webpage Publishing) (Copyright Compliance)
10	1 Acceptable Use By Students
11	Acceptable Use Policy for Students Defines safe and appropriate use of telecommunications. Sets forth expectations for student behavior and consequences for any violations. Sets forth teachers’ responsibilities and instructional implications. Informs and involves the educational community.
12	Define Safe and Appropriate Use Use telecommunications for educational purposes only. Communicate with others in a courteous and respectful manner. Maintain the privacy of personal name, address, phone number, password, and respect the same privacy of others. Use only telecommunications accounts and passwords provided by the school. Report any incident of harassment to the supervising employee Agree to the review of communications, data, and files by BCPS. Comply with copyright laws and intellectual property rights of others. Report any violation of this telecommunications acceptable use policy to the supervising employee.
13	Define Unsafe and Inappropriate Use Knowingly enter unauthorized computer networks or software to tamper or destroy data. Bypass the school system’s filtering server. Access or distribute abusive, harassing, libelous, obscene, offensive, profane, pornographic, threatening, sexually explicit, or illegal material. Install personal software on computers. Use telecommunications for commercial, purchasing, or illegal purposes. Use telecommunications in any other manner that would violate School Board disciplinary policies.
14	Inform Educational Community Defines the Internet and educational uses. Student expectations when using telecommunications Precautions BCPS will take to attempt to ensure that the Internet is a safe learning environment Degree of violations (law, civil regulations, BCPS policies) Consent or procedure to follow for their student to use resources other than the Internet Penalties for violations and due process procedures
15	Penalties for Student Violations School disciplinary action - Category II offense (suspension which may result in long-term expulsion) Legal action for computer crime(s)
16	2 Acceptable Use by Employees
17	Acceptable Use Policy for Employees Defines educational purpose of telecommunications. Sets forth terms and conditions for use and consequences for any violations. Sets forth teachers’ responsibilities and instructional implications.
18	Define Educational Purpose of Telecommunications Tasks performed by employees which are directly related to BCPS positions or job responsibilities Sets a clear line rule for “no personal use.”
19	Define Appropriate Use by Employees Use telecommunications for educational purposes only. Communicate with others in a courteous and professional manner. Comply with the privacy rights of all persons. Comply with related Board Policies and Superintendent’s Rules as delineated on the reverse side of this agreement. Report to the office head/principal receipt of email messages which threaten to endanger the safety of students, employees, or other persons. Agree to the review of employee communications, data, and files by the system network administrator, web team, principal, and or office/school webmaster. Report to the office head/principal or designee any suspected violations of policy and rule 4006 and 6166.
20	Define Inappropriate Use by Employees Use the BCPS telecommunications’ network for personal reasons. Bypass the school system’s filtering server. Access or distribute or receive abusive, harassing, libelous, obscene, offensive, profane, pornographic, threatening, sexually explicit, or illegal material. Use telecommunications for lobbying, commercial, or illegal purposes. Knowingly enter unauthorized computer networks or software to tamper or destroy data. Install personal software on computers. Incur unauthorized financial obligation to BCPS using BCPS Procurement Card to purchase materials, goods, or services offered for sale on the Internet Share confidential passwords to access computer networks. Services, and/or information resources. Use telecommunications in any other manner that would violate Board Policies and Rules.
21	Inform Employee Purpose and definition of telecommunications. Related Board Policies which govern employment and teacher responsibilities. Every employee who accesses the Internet/Intranet shall receive training and sign and submit the Employee User Agreement. Employees who have email accounts shall receive training and sign Electronic Mail Agreement. Employees who have web publishing responsibilities shall receive training and sign the Webmaster Agreement.
22	Define Penalties for Employee Violations Disciplinary action by Board of Education Legal action for computer crime(s)
23	3 Communications with the Public Electronic Publishing
24	Communications with the Public Authority and Responsibility in BCPS System Level Superintendent Office of Communications District Web Team School Level Principal Principal’s Designee School Webmaster
25	Define Acceptable and Safe Electronic Publishing Policies Webmaster shall agree to Webmaster Roles and Responsibilities and sign Webmaster Agreement. All electronic publications shall comply with related BCPS Policies and Rules. All electronic publications shall comply with U.S. laws, e.g., CIPA, Privacy Act, FERPA, Equal Access, First Amendment Rights.
26	Define Acceptable and Safe Electronic Publishing Policies A student’s full name, home address, or home telephone shall not appear on either the district or school level website. Parent/guardian permission shall be obtained to publish a student’s intellectual property. Student ownership shall be labeled by student’s first name and surname initial, include copyright notice, and conditions for educational, non-profit duplication.
27	Define Acceptable and Safe Electronic Publishing Policies A photograph, video, or film of an individual student shall not appear on a school or system level website - both Internet and Intranet. Parent/guardian permission shall be granted before publishing a group (4 or more students) photograph, video, or film. Student or employee web pages shall not be linked to or included as part of any school or system level web site.
28	Define Acceptable and Safe Electronic Publishing Policies Student or employee resumes shall not be linked to or included as part of any school or system level web site. School or system level web sites shall not include nor imply endorsement of advertisements, any business, or product. Responding to requests for information about a student is the responsibility of the principal.
29	Define Acceptable and Safe Electronic Publishing Policies BCPS webpages shall contain the following disclaimer: The Baltimore County Public schools does not guarantee the accuracy or quality of information located on telecommunications networks. We have made every reasonable attempt to ensure that our school system's web pages are educationally sound and do not contain links to any questionable material or anything that can be deemed in violation of the BCPS telecommunications policy. The linked sites are not under the control of the Baltimore County Public Schools; therefore, BCPS is not responsible for the contents of any linked site, links within the site, or any revision to such sites. Links from BCPS web sites are provided as a convenience and do not imply an endorsement of the linked site.
30	IMPLEMENTATION School System Responsibilities Inform and train employees. Integrate ethical and safe uses of telecommunications in the curriculum. Review impact of new technologies and legislation. Monitor implementation, compliance
31	Monitor Implementation and Compliance FORMS Series 4006 4006-A Telecommunications Acceptable Use Policy for Employees 4006-B Webmaster Roles and Responsibilities 4006-C Electronic Mail Application Form FORMS Series 6166 6166-A Telecommunications Acceptable Use Policy for Students 6166-B Permission to Publish Intellectual Property on the Internet or BCPS Intranet 6166-C Parent/Guardian/Student Consent and Release Agreement for an Educational Channel Production 6166-D Permission to Publish Student Group Photograph or Video on the Internet or BCPS Intranet 6166-E Copyright Permission Request 6166-F Consent and Release Agreement for the Maryland Interactive Distance Learning Network
32	Responding to Computer Crimes Preservation of Computer Crime Evidence: Perpetrator’s Computer Do not attempt to access computer files, documents, and/or programs. If the computer is on, do not turn it off. If the computer is off, do not turn it on. Notify immediate supervisor, administrator, and School Resource Officer (SRO). If the SRO is not available, contact 911 for an officer to respond. If the computer is on, the SRO or the responding officer will first photograph the screen and then unplug the computer’s electrical source from the rear of the computer only. Note the date and time the computer was unplugged. Do not move the computer, disconnect any peripherals, wires, or network connections. Isolate and secure the computer in its present location until seized by the investigating officer.
33	Responding to Computer Crimes Preservation of Computer Crime Evidence: Victim/Receiver’s Computer Make a hardcopy of the evidence including header information. Save a digital copy on disk and hard drive. Notify immediate supervisor, administrator, and School Resource Officer (SRO). If the SRO is not available, contact 911 for an officer to respond.
34	IMPLEMENTATION Principals’ Responsibilities Plan strategies to inform faculty, staff, students, and parents, e.g., Student Handbook and Critical Response Guide Ensure compliance with required forms. Select School Webmaster and obtain signed Webmaster Agreement. Facilitate staff training with the Office of Professional Development. Notify staff of letters received from parents who request their student to use resources other than the Internet.
35	IMPLEMENTATION Librarians’ Responsibilities Provide leadership in Telecommunications Policies, instructional integration, and staff development. Teach students safe and acceptable use of telecommunications. Supervise students. Facilitate integration of ethical and safe use of telecommunications in teaching and learning.
36	IMPLEMENTATION Teacher Responsibilities Attend training Level 1 - AUP Level 2 - Email Level 3 - Web Publishing Teach students safe and appropriate use of telecommunications. Supervise students.
37	IMPLEMENTATION Students’ Responsibilities Read and discuss with parent/guardian contents of Student Handbook. Return signed Student Handbook Acknowledgment form to school. Demonstrate safe and appropriate use of telecommunications by complying with Acceptable Use Policy for Students.
38	IMPLEMENTATION Parent/Guardian Responsibilities Read and discuss Student Handbook with student. Sign Student Handbook Acknowledgment form. Frequently discuss with student their Internet use in school and at home. Communicate with school concerns and positive learning experiences.
39	Telecommunications Policy www.bcps.org/system/POLICIES/telecom