Acceptable Use Policies Montgomery County Public Schools Presented

Acceptable Use Policies Montgomery County Public Schools Presented by Maria Meli October 2013

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Overview • What is an Acceptable Use Policy? ▫ An Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) is a written document that lists safe computer system use procedures for all users of a network. • What information is in an AUP? ▫ An AUP includes: Procedures that computer users should follow These procedures are specific and identifies who needs to follow each one. List of consequences if procedures are not followed

Importance of AUPs • Why are Acceptable Use Policies important? ▫ AUPs help inform school staff and students how to use school technology responsibly. ▫ It clearly outlines what users should do in order to have a safe learning environment using the school computer system.

MCPS AUP Overview • The User Responsibilities for Computer Systems, Electronics Information, & Network Security identifies what all users of MCPS computer systems should do to promote a secure network of computer use.

What is expected of MCPS users? • All users: ▫ Understand contents of AUP ▫ Responsible for their own accounts and actions • Staff: ▫ Use computers responsibly and for educational purposes only ▫ Educate students in proper online use • Students: ▫ Understand follow appropriate online behavior

Consequences Employees • Conference • Warning • Letter of reprimand • Loss of privileges • Suspension without pay • Demotion • Dismissal • Criminal prosecution Students • Call to parents/guardians • Loss of privileges • Restitution • Suspension • Expulsion • Criminal prosecution Other Users • Loss of privileges • Criminal prosecution

Educate Our School Community • Post the county AUP on school website for all users to reference • Discuss at staff meeting in beginning of school year to refresh staff of their computer use responsibilities • Share with parents at back to school night • School could create poster of AUP procedures and post by every computer for consistency among school community

Educate Our Students • Prior to using computers in classroom, discuss rules for using computers at school ▫ Important to establish appropriate rules at the beginning of the year • Create kid-friendly reminder poster and post it by the computers in classroom • Provide learning opportunities for students to practice proper online use

Teacher’s Responsibilities • Review policy and understand content • Make sure to use MCPS computers for educational purposes only • Educate students on responsible online use • Implement safe security practices ▫ Keep computer and technology secure when you’re not present ▫ Log off computer when not in use

Additional Information on AUPs • Acceptable Use Policies. i. SAFE America Inc. , Retrieved from http: //www. isafe. org/imgs/pdf/education/AUPs. pdf ▫ This article discusses why schools need AUPs • Palgi, R. D. (1996). Rules of the Road: Why You Need an Acceptable Use Policy. School Library Journal, 42(8), 32 -33. ▫ This article identifies what should be included in an AUP and how the whole community has a responsibility to follow the AUP.