1. Information Technology Services Acceptable Uses Guidelines Getting to know PGCPS Administrative Procedure 0700: Robert Tomes Edtc 630 October 2011
2. Overview An Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) is a document that: Lists expected Practices for students, faculty, and staff Explains Dos and Don’ts of technology use Defines consequences for misuse of resources AUPs should Be Up-to-date protect students and district resources Encourage productivity
3. PGCPS’ Acceptable Use Policy Outlined in: Administrative Procedure 0700 Page 14 of The Student Code of Conduct Both can be found on the PGCPS web page, www.pgcps.org
4. Overview: Administrative Procedure 0700 All employees, contractors and volunteers are to use district technology for: Educational purposes PGCPS administrative purposes All users may be held accountable for misuse traced to their individual accounts.
5. General Procedures User Accounts: User are responsible for their own accounts Do not share passwords Email: Used for school system business only Avoid SPAM not caught by the system’s filter.
6. General Procedures Web Presence of PGCPS Entities Expressed permission from the Chief Executive Officer to represent any district entity outside the pgcps.org domain. Software/Hardware Must be approved by PGCPS Must be installed by users with administrative rights Prior approval must be obtained to connect personal equipment to the network Connected devices must meet current anti-virus standards
7. Acceptable Uses Use appropriate language Respect all copyright laws Use technology resources for legal activities intended for educational purposes
8. Prohibitions Group account log-ins Damaging equipment Trespassing in other’s files Using the network for commercial activities Accessing or linking to vulgar/offensive sites Using technology to harass/attack others Accessing chat lines/rooms not part of a class activity under teacher supervision
9. Reporting and Consequences Misues should be immediately reported to a teacher, school administrator, or supervisor Misuse could result in Suspension of access rights Disciplinary action Letters of reprimand Arrest and prosecution
10. Student Technology Access Students must also follow the district AUP Additionally, student portable communication devices must be turned off while on the school bus and during the entire school day. Violators will be treated as any other disruptive student
11. Implementation: Students Review the AUP with students before lessons involving PGCPS’ technological resources Preview all web pages used for a lesson Always supervise students while using district computers Use discretion when deciding appropriate consequences for AUP violations
12. Implementation: Teachers Keep logon information confidential Always log out of district machines when not in use Consult with the technology coordinator before connecting equipment or purchasing software for classroom use When creating presentations and web pages, get proper permissions and cite the source Never use district resources for personal or commercial purposes When in doubt, ask.
13. References Education World. (n.d.). Getting Started on the Internet: Developing an Acceptable Use Policy (AUP). Retrieved from http://www.educationworld.com/a_curr/curr093.shtml on October 4, 2011. Prince George’s County Public Schools. (2009). Administrative Procedure 0700: Information Technology Services Acceptable Usage Guidelines. Retrieved from http://www.pgcps.org/~procedur/1000/0700.pdf Prince George’s County Public Schools. (2009). Administrative Procedure 10101: Code of Student Conduct. Retrieved from http://www.pgcps.org/~procedur/10000/10101.pdf
Editor's Notes
An Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) is a document intended to define expected practices for students, faculty, and staff concerning how to use a school district’s technological resources. Typical AUPs explain what should and should not be done using district equipment and while connected to the district network. Often, consequences for misuse are also listed. Districts should have an up-to-date AUP, reflecting current trends and emerging technologies. In an environment that is constantly changing, it is important to protect students from dangerous and vulgar material, and protect district investments and resources from viruses and other threats to equipment and productivity.
Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) has two documents where the district AUP is located. PGCPS’ Information Technology Services Acceptable Usage Guidelines are outlined in Administrative Procedure 0700. Student guidelines are further explained on page 14 of the Student Code of Conduct. Both may be found on the PGCPS web page, www.pgcps.org.
Administrative Procedure 0700 stresses that all employees, contractors and volunteers are to use the technological resources of PGCPS for educational or PGCPS administrative purposes only. All users will be held accountable for any violations of the AUP that can be traced to their individual accounts.
General Procedures: User Accounts: Users are responsible for their own accounts. Passwords are to be shared with no one. Email: Every employee is eligible PGCPS email account. Email should only be used for school system business. Employees should do their best to avoid SPAM not caught by the system’s filter.
Web Presence of PGCPS Entities Any PGCPS entity needs expressed written permission from the Chief Executive Officer to be represented on any web site outside the pgcps.org domain, though all entities may be represented on the pgcps.org web site. Software/Hardware: Software must be installed by users with administrative rights and must be approved by PGCPS. No students may be given administrative rights. Prior approval must be obtained from the IT to connect all personal equipment/devices to the PGCPS network. All accepted devices must meet current county anti-virus standards.
Users are expected to use appropriate language, respect all copyright laws, and use technology resources for legal activities intended for educational purposes.
Group account log-ins, damaging equipment, trespassing in another’s files, folders or work, utilizing the network for commercial purposes, accessing or linking to websites with vulgar or offensive, or inappropriate material, using resources to harass or attack others, accessing chat lines or rooms not part of a class activity under direct supervision of a teacher
If any user believes there has been a violation of the AUP, they should immediately contact a teacher, school administrator or supervisor.
The student code of conduct places the same expectations of employees on students. The code of conduct also clarifies student use of portable communication devices. Such devices are permissible, but must be turned off while on the school bus, and during the entire school day. Students who violate this will be treated as any other disruptive student.
Teachers should, before beginning any lesson in which students will be using PGCPS technology, review with students the AUP. Review used sites before students access them to ensure quality and classroom appropriateness. xWhile students are working, the teacher should always supervise students. Use discretion in the consequences implemented for any violation of the AUP.
Teachers must also take care to practice safe technology use. Take care to log out of machines connected to the network. Never give logon information to others, particularly students. Always consult with the technology When creating presentations and course web pages, get the proper permissions and always cite one’s sources.
