Preamble
Students at Los Lunas Schools (LLS) are expected to use the provided technology to support and enhance education, communication and workflow. In order to facilitate a safe and functional learning environment students are expected to adhere to the policy and procedures outlined in this document, and in the LLS Board Policy 6.17 - Acceptable Use.
What is Personalized Learning?
Personalized learning refers to learning experiences that are intended to address the distinct learning needs, interests, aspirations, or cultural backgrounds of individual students. Learning opportunities take into account existing knowledge, skills, and abilities, set high expectations, and push students in supportive ways to reach their personal goals. Personalized learning is viewed as an alternative to so-called “one-size-fits-all” approaches to education in which teachers may provide all students with the same type of instruction, the same assignments, and the same assessments with little variation or modification from one student to the next.
One of the biggest impacts technology has on education is the enhanced ability teachers have to provide personalized learning to their students. The variety and depth of resources available online provide our students and staff with educational wealth never seen before. Online platforms and software now give every student an equal voice in their classroom and beyond. For our children’s benefit LLS will take full advantage of the 21st century tools available to provide them with the best education possible.
While researchers and educators have come up with many definitions of the skills education is trying to teach, the list of “21st century skills” typically includes creativity, innovation, communication, collaboration, critical thinking, teamwork, decision making, research fluency, and problem solving. Non-cognitive competencies include successful navigation through tasks such as forming relationships and solving everyday problems. They also include development of self-awareness, control of impulsivity, executive functions, working cooperatively, and caring about oneself and others.
LLS Commitments
• The district and your school commit to providing online resources, information, and updates about the one to one (1:1) program on the school’s website.
• The district and your school will provide information to parents/guardians about low cost Internet service upon request.
• The LLS Technology Department will set up restrictions on student devices to limit access to certain apps and content. Your school may also set up additional restrictions as needed to assist in managing student use.
• Feedback and input about the 1:1 program may be submitted at your child’s school site.
• Los Lunas Schools will adhere to all Federal laws regarding the implementation and use of technology for students. Refer to the Appendix section “Key Federal Laws Protecting Student Data and Privacy” for more details and resources about these laws.
• Provide the software/apps students need at school.
Goals for Student Users
Students will:
• take ownership of their learning.
• become responsible digital citizens.
• learn through the process of creating content.
• develop critical thinking skills in order to solve real world problems using technology.
• communicate and express themselves creatively through the use of technological tools.
• use technology to effectively collaborate with others on a local and global platform.
LLS has adopted the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) Standards for students. The implementation of these standards is an ongoing process we have committed to achieving at all levels because it is part of a recognized path to educational success. Refer to the ISTE Standards in the Appendix of this handbook for more information or online.
https://www.iste.org/standards/standards/for-students
1:1 Introduction
Los Lunas Schools is excited to begin the process of providing a mobile device for students within our district. Current mobile devices are a powerful technology resource when teamed with skillful teachers instructing students in appropriate use. The devices will be used to prepare students to be productive citizens in a digital society.
Digital learning uses technology, such as tablets and laptops, to strengthen a student’s learning experience. Digital Learning emphasizes high-quality instruction, access to challenging content, feedback through assessment, and opportunities for learning anytime and anywhere. Digital learning provides individualized instruction ensuring all students reach their full potential to succeed in college and/or career.
In the pages that follow you will be introduced to the specific devices, learn how to care for these items, and be advised about important safety guidelines.
Mobile Device Basics
What is an iPad?
An iPad is a tablet designed and produced by Apple which has a touch screen and functions similar to a computer. It allows the user to access the Internet, email, take pictures, read books, and use a multitude of applications (apps). iPads also come with built-in features that make learning easy and enjoyable for everyone. When each student has an iPad just for his or her own use, the device can be personalized to meet individual interests and learning styles.
Internet access at home is not required (although helpful if available). Everything a student needs to use an iPad after school can be downloaded during the school day. iPads are easy to carry and their batteries last a long time, so learning can take place anywhere.
Accessories:
The iPad comes with a case, charging adapter, data/charging cable, and in some cases headphones.
The case provided with your iPad is designed to protect the device during normal daily use. Please keep the iPad in the school-issued case at all times. Don’t remove any school-provided stickers or labels on your iPad or its case.
Cables and cords
• Please be careful when you plug accessories into your iPad. This will prevent damage to the device.
• Forcing a plug into an iPad is never a good idea.
• Pulling on “the tail” of any cable can lead to damage.
• Use only the school-provided Apple power adapter to charge the iPad.
• Label your cable and power adapter with tape that can be easily removed.
• Writing on or making any permanent marks on the tablet, case, cables or power adapter is not allowed.
Receiving a Device:
The device(s) are the property of Los Lunas Schools, and students will use them during the school year for academic purposes. Students and parents/guardians must complete and submit all required paperwork before a device can be assigned to a student.
Returning a Device:
Students who withdraw from Los Lunas Schools for any reason must return the district device, case, power adapter and any other accessories in good working condition on or before the date of withdrawal. Failure to comply will result in charges to the family as outlined in the section “Damaged, Lost, or Stolen Devices”. Normal end-of-year return procedures will be communicated to staff and parents by your site administration, then carried out according to the site’s timetable.
Opting Out:
All students are expected to use their device at school. Some families may have reservations about using technology in their home. In this case the student must complete their homework at school or without the benefit of such device, and the tool will remain at school.
Caring for the Device:
iPads are useful and sturdy -- when cared for properly. Be gentle with your iPad, and especially the screen.
Please do not:
• Lean on the screen.
• Stack books or other heavy objects on top of the device.
• Hit the device against walls, doors, or other objects.
• Throw or drop from any height.
• Place liquids in a book bag or backpack containing a device.
• Use sharp objects on the screen -- it will scratch.
• Use traditional pens or pencils on the screen.
• Use anything but a soft cloth to clean the screen
• Place anything in the iPad case except the iPad.
Student devices are the property of LLS and may not be personalized/decorated in any way (no stickers, labels, or adhesives of any form). Students will be responsible and may be charged for damages up to the replacement cost of the device if decorations damage the physical condition of the device.
To protect the screen while you are moving through the halls at school without a backpack, use both hands to carry the device in front of your body and avoid bumping into other students.
To clean the screen, use a soft, lint-free cloth (similar to a cloth used to clean eyeglasses) to wipe off dirt/grease. The screen comes with a protective coating; never use window cleaners, household chemicals or cleaners, ammonia, alcohol or alcohol-based products, or other abrasives to clean your iPad as they could remove the special coating and/or scratch the screen. Also, do not use compressed air to clean ports (the little openings on the edges of the iPad where cords are plugged in).
Using Mobile Devices at School
Student Expectations:
Students may use district technology resources to create files and projects for school-related work, research, and college and career planning. Your assigned device is intended for school use and must be brought to school every day with a fully charged battery and any necessary accessories.
• Students must bring their device to all classes, unless a teacher specifically instructs them not to do so.
• Students are responsible for completing all course work, even if they leave their assigned device at home, failure to do so will result in the same consequences as not completing regular (pen and paper) assignments.
• Students should not expect to be given the use of a loaner device if they leave theirs at home.
• Storage space is limited on devices and adequate room must be kept available for daily work and future app installations performed by LLS staff.
• Students who take devices home must bring them back to school every day with a fully charged battery. If you don’t charge the battery, you may not be able to participate in classroom learning activities.
• Mobile devices will be subject to routine monitoring by teachers, administrators, technology staff, and/or district personnel. Users should have no expectation of privacy while using LLS electronic information resources including the contents of their device or communication undertaken by way of the devices and/or network. Teachers and/or administration may conduct an individual search of a student’s device at any time.
• While using the power cord, do not leave the cord in areas that may cause a tripping hazard (at home or at school).
• Under no circumstances will students install any non-approved software on their device or another student’s device. District-approved apps will be installed automatically by remote methods or will be available to the student via the Self-Service app. Following this understanding, students are also expected not to uninstall or remove any district-installed (approved) software from their devices.
❏ Remember the following:
• Keep detailed personal information about yourself or others off the device. Always be mindful not to share personal information online.
• Keep all account passwords to yourself. You are responsible for your individual accounts. Take all reasonable precautions to prevent others from being able to use them.
• Do not loan your device to anyone else.
• Notify a teacher immediately if you suspect there is a problem with your device.
• To prevent loss or damage to your device, NEVER leave it unattended in an unsecured area.
• Apply the Golden Rule - if you do not want it done to you, do not do it to someone else.
• Choose wisely as not all content or language is appropriate.
How will I save the work I do on my device?
On Apple devices with the proper sign-on method used, various settings, files, photos, bookmarks and Reading Lists are automatically saved to iCloud every day as long as the device is charging, connected to wireless internet, and locked with a passcode. Saving content created with your iPad can be done using the device’s internal storage, or “cloud” capabilities made available by the district.
Cloud saves can be done using your LLS Google Drive account. Using this account, you can save and export your documents in different formats for later use. This allows you to access your documents from other computers via the Internet. You can also share your documents with others in your class and your teacher using this service or AirDrop, a default tool available on Apple devices. It is your responsibility to ensure that work is not lost if your iPad or laptop breaks or if you accidentally delete something. Device malfunctions are not an acceptable excuse for not submitting work; students are responsible for immediately informing their teacher of potential problems with their device. Once teachers are aware of the problem they should submit a technology work order to resolve the issue.
Another resource which is available for students to save and submit digital work through is broadly called a learning management system (LMS). This is an online software tool that at its most limited scope gives teachers a classroom page to present content knowledge, collate online resources for student use, make work available for students to download to their devices, and collect completed work from students.
Can I print from my device?
While it is possible to print from your device, students are encouraged to use “cloud” resources to share documents and files with their teachers whenever possible. This supports college/career readiness for students and will help schools save paper.
Any printing of student material deemed necessary will be completed with the assistance of their teacher.
What if the device is being repaired?
Students may receive a replacement device when their assigned device is being repaired, or a permanent replacement in some cases. Regarding loaner devices, these must be checked out each morning and checked back in each afternoon. If there is a delay in assigning a loaner or replacement device, the teacher will allow the student to complete required coursework via an alternative method.
I have my own mobile device; do I have to use the LLS device?
Yes. Students are required to use a school-issued mobile device due to the instructional materials that will be loaded on the devices for classroom learning. Personal devices may have access to some of the required materials or software, but without the proper controls our teachers cannot ensure that students have everything necessary to successfully participate in the classroom.
Emergency Procedures:
During a fire drill, students should leave their devices where they are and follow the appropriate emergency procedures. If students are outside using their devices they should put them to sleep and then immediately follow the appropriate emergency procedure. Mobile devices should never be used during an emergency procedure unless directly instructed by a teacher.
Apps and Software on the Device
Remote Management:
Due to the very large number of mobile devices in our student’s and staff’s hands, LLS Technology relies on a software called ‘JAMF’ for mobile device management functions. While providing many benefits for the user and IT staff, the primary functions this software provides are remote assistance and inventory collection/reporting.
Using this software our IT staff can keep your devices up-to-date without requiring students or staff to use their valuable time monitoring software updates. Apps can be purchased in bulk, providing potential discounts, configured for our end users, and deployed to thousands of devices on the same day. When students or staff report potential problems with their devices IT staff can lend almost immediate assistance in finding a resolution to the problem.
When a mobile device is connected to an Internet source, it will periodically report its status back to this software via the cloud. The information collected is not personal, but covers the characteristics of that device’s hardware (serial number, model, storage capacity used, etc.), a report on the status of software and settings (list of managed software, versions, restrictions applied by district, etc.), and a generic history of the device (what district user was signed on, did an update successfully install, what IP address did it use, etc.). When a device is lost or stolen steps can be taken by IT staff to lock or securely erase the device if necessary.
Can I download my own apps?
No, LLS Technology will manage all apps for the LLS district devices. District approved apps will be installed remotely or will be available via the Self-Service app. Storage space is limited on the devices and adequate room must be kept available for daily work and future app installations. LLS teachers/admins will follow district procedure for new software and/or hardware installation requests.
Software and operating system updates:
Occasionally, apps and the operating system require updates to keep the device and apps functioning properly and securely. Students are expected to follow district directions on installing any app and operating system updates, but when possible, these changes will be automatic.
Unauthorized modifications to devices:
Attempting to repair or reconfigure the device is not allowed. Under no circumstances are you to attempt to open or tamper with the internal components of a mobile device. All mobile devices are scanned remotely on a regular basis to ensure that security settings have not been changed or deleted. If a student has accessed the internal parts of a device, installed an unapproved app, or seeks ways to change/circumvent District-applied settings, he or she will be held responsible in accordance with LLS Board Policy.
Pictures, Content and Data
Students will respect the privacy of others. Students will limit all in-school photography, video and audio recording to educational use. Any sharing of content collected containing district students and staff must comply with LLS Board Policy.
Mobile device content is not private:
These devices are district property. LLS staff members can access the internet history, photos, and other information on the device when deemed necessary. Students are required to unlock their assigned device upon request of district staff. If you do not unlock the device when asked, there may be consequences in accordance with LLS Board Policy.
Is the information on my device safe?
Any work created on a mobile device or saved to the “cloud” is only safe if the method used to access it is controlled. Digital identifications, which include Apple IDs, email addresses, and the usernames and passwords for online systems and accounts, are for the student’s use only and should remain confidential. It is required to add a passcode to your device in order to prevent unauthorized access to your device and data - this should not be shared with anyone except your parent/guardian and LLS Staff.
Unacceptable Behavior and Usage
Reporting potential problems:
• The Los Lunas Schools Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) applies to everyone at all times - follow the rules so you will not lose privileges.
• Students should immediately report to a teacher or other staff member if they receive an electronic comment or communication that makes them feel uncomfortable, or if they accidentally access inappropriate materials, pictures, video, or websites.
• If a student receives any electronic communication containing inappropriate or abusive language or if the subject matter is questionable, he/she must report this to his/her teacher or site administrator. The student must not respond in any way. All electronic communication must be in compliance with the Acceptable Use Policy.
• Help LLS protect our students and staff by contacting an administrator about any security problems you may discover while using your LLS device.
Students may not:
• Find, create, or send information to spread lies or misinformation; or harass, harm, or bully others.
• Intentionally copy (plagiarize), damage, or delete another individual’s work. Students will properly cite their sources when they use someone’s information, pictures, media, or other work in their own projects and assignments.
• Violate copyright or licensing agreements.
• Gain unauthorized or inappropriate access to district technology resources.
• Use, retrieve, store, or send improper, offensive, profane, threatening, or obscene language, pictures, or other digital content.
• Cheat, including getting or giving answers to tests; searching for and/or copying answers or information on the internet or other electronic resources; copying and submitting someone else’s information or assignment as their own; or conducting other similar forms of electronic cheating.
• Access inappropriate or blocked resources in any manner, at any time while on district devices.
• Share or post any personally-identifiable information about themselves or others that could help someone locate or contact them. This includes such things as e-mail address, full name, home or school address, phone number, parent or guardian names, or school name.
• Modify the operating system, or add/remove restrictions or security profiles on a device.
• Physically vandalize district technology resources.
• Install any apps other than those authorized by LLS.
• Use or attempt to use proxy services to bypass Internet filtering setup by LLS.
• Log into a device, resource, or app using stolen information.
• Play any games, other than those specifically allowed by their teacher.
• Use sites selling term papers, book reports, and other forms of student work.
• Use any nondistrict approved messaging services (ex: chat rooms, Facebook, Instagram, SnapChat, Twitter).
• Gain access to other students’ accounts, files, and/or data without permission from the owner.
• Exchange devices and/or switch device identification labels to conceal fault of damage or for any other reason.
• Use the school’s Internet/email accounts for financial or commercial gain or other improper use.
• Students are not allowed to record/capture audio, images or video of classes, students or staff unless specifically authorized by the teacher.
• Participate in any forms of illegal behavior.
Consequences for Inappropriate Behavior
If a student member has failed to comply with this handbook or LLS Board Policy 6.17,
• Students shall be subject to revocation of Internet, network, and/or device access up to and including permanent loss of privileges, and discipline up to and including expulsion.
• Violations of law may be reported to law enforcement officials.
• Individuals responsible for damaging any hardware and/or software in any manner may be financially responsible for all repairs and/or replacements.
Repossession:
LLS reserves the right to repossess school property at any time. Student’s must comply with all terms of this agreement and/or any changes due to program updates. Failure to comply will result in charges to the family as outlined in the section “Damaged, Lost, or Stolen Devices”.
Appropriation:
Failure to return LLS property (device, power cable, charger, device case, and/or any other issued accessories) within 2 school days upon receiving a return demand, will be referred to law enforcement and will result in charges as outlined in the section “Damaged, Lost, or Stolen Devices”.
Using Tech Devices at Home
At the school’s discretion, students will be able to take their assigned devices home for learning purposes. Students can connect to outside wireless networks using their device, but use must still comply with district policies. Remember, the Los Lunas Schools Acceptable Use Policy applies to everyone at all times - all use of the district-owned devices must comply with LLS Board Policy 6.17 and the AUP students and parents signed.
The equipment referenced in this document is currently an iPad, case, charging adapter, and possibly headphones. These items remain the property of the LLS and are issued to your student during the school year as long as you meet the expectations outlined here.
Parent / Guardian Expectations
• Parents/Guardians are expected to familiarize themselves with the Student Expectations.
• Talk to your children about the values and the standards they should follow on the use of the Internet just as you do on the use of all media information sources such as television, telephones, and movies. Parents are responsible for monitoring off campus use of the device and should review and discuss the LLS Acceptable Use Policy.
• The LLS Internet filter will work outside of LLS buildings. You are encouraged to set boundaries, safeguards, and expectations for technology use at home that align with your family values. The Common Sense Media Family Agreement provides an age-appropriate checklist (included in this document’s Appendix) that can be used to guide conversations with your child about responsible use of media and technology. It is also available at https://www.commonsensemedia.org/sites/default/files/uploads/pdfs/fma_all.pdf
• You and your student are responsible for the care of any school-issued device (and accessories) and may be responsible for any costs associated with loss, theft, and/or damage due to negligence or misuse.
• You have the right to monitor your student’s use of the device and know his/her passwords - your school can assist you with this. A passcode will be required to prevent unauthorized access to personal information on the iPad. Do not share this passcode with anyone else.
• The device provided to your child is intended to be an instructional tool. You should ensure that it is accessible for school work at home (if your child’s school elects to send the device home), and are encouraged to set healthy time limits for home use.
• Have your child use the device in a central location in your home, such as the kitchen or living room, so that you can easily monitor and supervise their use.
• Set expectations that your child is to complete assignments and tasks before they use the device for entertainment purposes.
• If your child is not following your rules for device usage, you have the right to limit access to the device while at home.
• Your child is encouraged to use the device to support learning beyond what is expected by your school.
Email Communications:
If necessary, parents may also use the Safari browser app to log in to their personal email account to send emails to their child’s teacher(s). Parents and guardians should not add a personal email account to the iPad’s built-in Mail app because personal emails may be visible to anyone who accesses the device.
Storing and transporting the device:
Following these best practices will help protect mobile devices against damage or theft.
• Protect your device from the weather, always carry it in a bag/backpack when outside.
• Protect your device from food and drinks, and from small children and pets.
• Mitigate exposing your device to physical damage by keeping it in its case at all times.
• Do not leave your device in heat above 95 F or cold below 32 F - Do not store your device in an automobile.
• If you must leave a device in a car for a short period of time, make sure it is not in plain sight.
• Do not use the device or allow it to be visible while waiting at a bus stop; riding public transportation, (ie. public bus or the Rail Runner) or when walking in the community.
• Each device has a unique identification number and district property control tag. Do not remove the tags or modify the numbers.
• Notify your child’s school immediately if you believe their device has been stolen. Mobile devices are managed by IT staff and ALL functions will be shut down if missing.
Damaged, Lost, or Stolen Devices
Accidental damage Vs. Negligence:
Accidents do happen. However, there is a difference between accidental damage and negligence. After investigation by school administration and determination by the IT staff or authorized repair company, if the device is deemed to be negligently damaged, the student/staff member may be subject to discipline and the cost of repair or replacement.
Schools have the option of charging a yearly use fee, to be paid for during enrolment by the parent/guardian. If assistance is needed, please discuss options with your school’s administrator.
Wilful and deliberate damage to a device will result in the student’s parents/guardians being charged the full cost of repair/replacement. The actual charge will be determined during a meeting between school official(s) and the parent/guardian(s) when necessary. Examples of fair market value replacement costs can be found at the end of this section. If assistance is needed, please discuss options with your school’s administrator.
Repair and/or replacement:
Do not attempt to repair or gain access to internal electronics of a district-owned device. If the device fails to work or is damaged, students must report the problem to their teacher immediately, and staff should submit an IT work order. Device repair/replacement options will be determined by the site administrator and district IT staff. You may be issued a loaner device, or other materials, until your assigned device is working properly or replaced.
LLS students, parents, and staff are responsible for the care of assigned devices and accessories. If they are broken or lost, a meeting with the site administrator will determine the next steps.
Lost/Stolen Devices:
If your assigned device is lost, report it to the main office of your school immediately. School staff will assist you with submitting a report to the Technology Department and any other authorities. The device’s assigned user (and student’s parent/guardians) will provide any necessary assistance to help recover the device.
Mobile devices contain software that will be used to track down the device in the case of loss or theft. If the device is not found with school assistance, a school official will assist the parent/guardian in the filing of the required police report. The circumstances of each situation involving lost equipment will be investigated individually.
If equipment is stolen, a police report must be filed and a copy of the report must be provided to the school by the student, parent/guardian in a timely manner (within two school days).
The following may result in students/families/staff being charged for the full replacement cost of the equipment:
• Failure to report stolen property within 48 hours.
• Investigation shows there is not clear evidence of theft.
• Investigation shows the equipment has been lost due to student negligence.
Replacement costs:
You will be charged current replacement cost for any items. The following may be used as an approximate value for these items’ replacement, actual charges for repair or replacement will be determined through a meeting between school official(s), the assigned user, and parent/guardians when necessary.
• Student iPad 9.7-inch $299-499
• iPad 12W USB Power Adapter $19.00
• Lightning to USB Cable $19.00
• iPad Case $30.00
APPENDIX
Key Federal Laws Protecting Student Data and Privacy
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99) is a Federal law that affords parents the right to inspect and review their children’s education records, the right to seek to have the education records amended, and the right to have some control over the disclosure of personally identifiable information from the education records. When a student turns 18 years of age or attends a postsecondary education institution at any age, thereby becoming an “eligible student,” the parent’s rights under FERPA transfer to the student. FERPA generally requires that parents or eligible students provide prior written consent before schools and school districts can disclose personally identifiable information from a student’s education records, unless an exception to FERPA’s general consent requirement applies. For example, when schools and school districts use online educational services, they must ensure that FERPA requirements are met. The U.S. Department of Education issued best practice guidance to address questions related to student privacy and the use of online educational technology in the classroom, available at
https://tech.ed.gov/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Student-Privacy-and-Online-Educational-Services-February-2014.pdf
The Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA) (20 U.S.C. § 1232h; 34 CFR Part 98) is a Federal law that governs what information can be collected from students in certain surveys, analyses, and evaluations as part of programs administered by the U.S. Department of Education. For instance, students may not be required, as part of an applicable program and without prior written consent, to take any survey, analysis, or evaluation that reveals information concerning one or more of eight protected areas, including, but not limited to, behaviors and attitudes, and illegal, anti-social, self-incriminating, or demeaning behavior. PPRA also sets forth requirements for Local Educational Agencies to develop and adopt policies, in consultation with parents, concerning, for example, the collection, disclosure, and use of personal information from students for the purpose of marketing, parental notification, and the administration of certain physical examinations to students. For more information about FERPA and PPRA, visit http://familypolicy.ed.gov/. General questions about FERPA or PPRA may be submitted to the Family Policy Compliance Office by using the Contact Us tab on that website or directly at
http://familypolicy.ed.gov/content/questionscomments.
The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) (15 U.S.C. § 6501–6505) governs online collection of personal information from children under age 13. For example, before a developer can collect any information from a student under 13, verifiable parental consent is required. The FTC, which enforces COPPA, has said that school officials can act in the capacity of a parent to provide consent to sign students up for online educational programs at school for the use and benefit of the school, and for no other commercial purpose. The general guidance is that software companies are allowed to track students within their program, but COPPA prevents them from tracking those students across the internet.
The U.S. Department of Education issued best practice guidance to address questions related to student privacy and the use of online educational technology in the classroom, available at
https://tech.ed.gov/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Student-Privacy-and-Online-Educational-Services-February-2014.pdf.
The Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) (47 U.S.C. § 254) imposes several requirements on schools or libraries that receive E-rate discounts for Internet access. Schools and libraries must certify that they have an Internet safety policy that includes technology protection measures. These protection measures must block or filter Internet access to pictures that are obscene, pornographic, or harmful to minors, and schools also must monitor the online activities of minors. Because most schools receive E-rate funds, they are required to educate their students about appropriate online behavior, including on social networking websites and in chat rooms, and to build cyberbullying awareness. Particularly if a digital learning resource requires networking among students, schools must comply with CIPA.
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) also contains confidentiality of information provisions that protect personally identifiable information in education records collected, maintained, or used by participating agencies under Part B of IDEA. In general and consistent with FERPA, IDEA’s confidentiality provisions require prior written consent for disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in education records unless a specific exception applies. Note that the IDEA Part B confidentiality of information provisions incorporate some of the FERPA requirements but also include several provisions that are specifically related to children with disabilities. For more information, see ED’s additional guidance regarding IDEA and FERPA Confidentiality Provisions released in June 2014, available at:
www.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/ptac/pdf/idea-ferpa.pdf.