Christy Kindel
Jefferson Elementary School
Springfield Illinois
Jefferson has developed a set of guidelines for Internet usage in accordance with the district acceptable use plan. In addition to the use of these plans individual teachers at Jefferson are responsible for developing consequences into their daily behavior management system relating to the violation of Internet guidelines. These policies are written in the district wide discipline handbook which parents are required to sign at the beginning of each school year acknowledging their awareness of the district policies and that these will be followed.
The acceptable use policy we are currently using mandates that teachers will have access to the Internet and other networks through systems which are developed and maintained by the school district. The users of these systems are required to refrain from placing copyrighted materials on the Internet without the author's approval, or using copyrighted material in a manner that violates board policy. The users of the Internet at Jefferson School cannot use the system for benefit commercially, and are not allowed to submit publish, or display inaccurate, abusive, or threatening information. The final section of our school's code addresses the restriction of committing acts of vandalism to any district system. Also stating that systems should be restricted to assigned work in connection with the curriculum being taught. Any violations of this act need to be directly reported to the Instructional Program Leader for Technology.
At the beginning of 1998 school year there will be two additional items added to both the district and school acceptable use policies. These issues will deal with the he use of students picture's and work displayed on the Internet. Parents will now need to sign a form in order for their child's information to be placed on the Internet. The second guideline to be added will state that the discipline plans operating in the classroom will cover the use of computers.
In addition to the above written plan, each individual teacher ensures that the guidelines are followed by developing the use of telecommunications systems into their daily classroom management plan. The teachers at Jefferson have developed a uniform plan that provides consistent consequences when a students violates one of the guidelines. After the first offense the student looses computer privileges for 1 week, and a parent is notified. After the second violation the students looses computer privileges for 1 month and a parent is also notified. On the occurrence of the third offense, the child will lose computer privileges for 1 year, and a parent teacher conference will be scheduled to address the repeated violation. Again we feel that it is the close supervision of the teacher that helps to ensure that the Internet is being used appropriately.
The district currently has 32 site licenses available for use by district students and teachers. Due to the number of site licenses held by the district Jefferson only holds a site license for the Kidpix.
I. All Apple IIe Mecc products--over 250 titles--used for drill and practice of basic math and language arts skills
II. Mecc Software for the Mac
IV. Software Available from Computer Services--Prices Reduced because of a Purchasing Agreement with the Software Companies.
*Available on the District's K-12 CD, a copy of which has been given to each school in the district.
There are currently 23 site licensed programs intended for students, 11 site licensed programs intended for teachers, and 4 site licensed programs for secretaries and/or administrators.