"Internet access in U.S. public schools increased from 35% in 1994 to 95% in 1999"
(Software and Information Technology Association)

As teachers, our primary goal is to establish a rich, stimulating and effective learning environment for our students. We believe in a core set of values that support our efforts to provide a quality education for all students regardless of individual race, socioeconomic status, gender, physical disability or cognitive potential. As the growth of the Internet rapidly continues, we are obliged to articulate these basic values, ethical principles and standards as they pertain to the technology programs within our schools.

The following code was created for elementary classroom teachers and is intended to meet several purposes. It has educational value for our colleagues as it will help clarify issues and resolve questions regarding the ethical use of technologies within the classroom community so that all teachers understand the implications of computer issues and can adopt a framework under which to operate. We define a set of parameters for use and describe a set of behavioral standards to guide teachers in following an ethical course of action. In addition, we feel this code will provide a resource so members can self-regulate decision making and instructional practice. It is our hope that we will help establish a "Computing Identity" for our colleagues and set minimum benchmarks that communicate to both teachers and the community at large our committment to the productive and principled use of computing technologies. This document is not intended to replace local Acceptable Use Policies or to guide districtwide network decision-making. Rather, we suggest it be used in tandem with previously established district guidelines.

The reality is that technology is a dynamic and complex matter that is constantly evolving. The benefits of technology come with the responsibility for ethical use. Teachers should familiarize themselves with the code of ethics to act in a responsible and ethical manner.

"The bottom line is you don't just put technology in schools and homes and expect miracles to happen. The technology is only as good as the program that surrounds it." (Margaret Honey, Director, Center for Children and Technology, New York)

Our hope is that we have provided a starting point...