Megan Forness
EOL 469
Fall, 1999
Policy Paper Outline: Web Publishing Policy at the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE)
I. Introduction to topic:
(A) Description of topic:
After starting my new position with the ISBE in June of this year, I have been assigned the duty of mini-webmaster for my division. When compared to my other duties, the role of mini-webmaster is somewhat uncharted territory. As more divisions designate "mini-webmasters" to micro manage these branches of the main ISBE web site, it is necessary to maintain a consistent procedure for writing, reviewing, editing, approving and publishing documents to these individual branches. I will attempt to create a policy which addresses the above mentioned components to provide necessary general guidelines for the mini-webmasters who represent each division.
(B) Why is it important?
ISBE has had a web site since 1996, and it has been expanding exponentially since that time. Originally, the assessment division pages were created by a person who went to an assessment division presentation and essentially posted the information presented at this meeting. Since this time, very little has been done to the site in terms of keeping it up-to-date. Many educators across Illinois look to the ISBE web site as a source for current information and resources. If the sites are not continually maintained on a constant basis, its entire mission of the web site is defeated. Also, if sites are not updated, out of date information could be conceived as current information and create several problems.
(C) Does a policy exist?
Currently, no written policy exists.
(D) Is there a requirement that a policy be developed?
As far as I am aware, there is no requirement that a policy be developed at this time.
II. Description of legal parameters:
(A) Statutory, constitutional, case law dimensions:
Since this is a government agency, the First Amendment protects the free speech of the agency, not necessarily the agent through which the documents are posted. The review process should ensure that information contained in the documents being published to the web is approved by the agency. All mini-webmasters must be aware of copyright laws that pertain to web use and the use of graphics and pictures. When the posting of student work becomes an issue, it is necessary to establish in this policy parameters for protecting students' privacy and/or anonymity.
(B) How does legal framework influence analysis?
It is important to keep in mind the legal framework of information dissemination when creating this policy. For instance, the Freedom of Information Act will guide the agency as to what types of information may be considered for wen publication. The web site will be an excellent source to use in order to comply with such acts in the immediate release of information, such as assessment results for our standardized state assessments. It will also be important to maintain a current knowledge of any revisions to public acts as they are passed and adjust information accordingly. The future implementation of the Prairie State Achievement Examination in 2001 (see Public Act 91-0283) is an excellent example of a project that is being revised and must constantly be monitored for accuracy.
III. Educational objectives of the policy:
This policy will serve to educate not only the mini-webmasters but will be made available to all employees. It will serve to educate employees as to what types of documents are acceptable for web publication and the proper procedure that must be followed in order to place a document on our web site. The policy will also attempt to draw more attention to our web site. As more employees review the current sites, there exists a greater impact of agency input for outdated or misinformation that needs an update.
IV. Key sections of policy language:
(A) Most difficult sections:
How can a hierarchy of review procedures be established to ensure quality and accuracy, while maintaining timeliness?
Whose responsibility is it if the wrong information is published and then must be removed?
(B) Key decisions for language:
It must be stated in the policy clearly defined titles of persons to whom documents must be shown for review.
Web terms must be clearly defined so that all employees can understand, with little explanation, what procedures must occur to publish pages.
(C) Guidelines for policy implementation:
The policy must be distributed via e-mail or other means to all mini-webmasters for review before implementation and then to all employees upon its approval.
Mini-webmasters will be responsible for following guidelines and helping fellow colleagues understand its structure.
(D) Elaborate guidelines rather than policy (if appropriate):
This policy must contain a series of elaborate guidelines for web publishing procedures. These guidelines will address the creation and content of documents, the review and editing process, and the approval and publishing procedures necessary.
Created 11/23/99 Revised 11/27/99