DHS Technology

Does your school district have an Internet Acceptable Use Policy?

Yes.  Our school Internet acceptable use policy is part of our sixteen page technology handbook which is handed to every high school student and parent every year before the begining of the school year.  We are in our fourth year of the one to one tablet intiative program.  We updated our high school technology plan when we began the intiative program.   We even have a student/parent pledge that they have to sign everyyear with a reminder of the guidelines and main points of the acceptable use policy. 

We update these policies every year.  Some of the policies at times feel like they are not needed for a small school like us, but then we will have an incident that proves we need the policy in place.  This is the first year the junior high students have the same policy as the high school students.  Prior to this year, the junior hgih students used the old policy, which did not cover a lot of things for a good Internet acceptable use policy.  Our elementary students still sign the old policy but they are not on the Internet near as much as the older students, and they are supervised the entire time they are on a computer in the school.

Does your school district have an Internet Publishing Policy?
Yes.  We have a publishing policy.  This is the policy of the three which is very general.  So, it covers a lot (we hope) but it is not too specific.  In doing some research on this, the Internet publishing policy at our school could definitely be improved. 

Does your school district have a Distance Education Policy?

Yes.  We have a distance education policy.  We have put our policy in line with NSU's since many of our distance education classes are through Northern.  This policy manual has actually shrunk since I have been at Doland school.  You can not say that for all policies!!!  The current policy even though shorter, I do think is better.  It is really straight forward and covers all areas.  Our students can not say anything about it being to long and not understanding the policy.  We have an additional policy in place in the event the distance education class costs money.  If we can not offer the class and it is not a make up class, the student must sign an agreement.  The student must get a "C" in the class or better.  If they do not get a "C," they pay for the class.

What does your district need to do to get these policies up-to-date?
In speaking with our technology coordinator who attends many workshops on this subject matter, she felt that we were fine.  She felt in looking at other school districts Internet acceptable use policies we were right in line and if anything one of the better ones.  The distance education policy is very similar to NSU's and others.  So we feel this is a good thing since they update theres on a yearly basis.  Our publishing policy could use some work, but it is still pretty good.
Can a policy cover everything?  In thinking of technology, this is what I keep thinking.  Technology and the Internet is constantly changing, and our kids are well aware of the changes.  I think policies need to be updated on a yearly basis as ours is, and good judgement is needed in new circumstances.