ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY FOR

COMPUTER/INTERNET TECHNOLOGY

 

MARTY INDIAN SCHOOL

 

Introduction to Computer Technology

 

The Marty Indian School District believes computer technology can positively affect the work and educational experience for students and staff. It is, therefore, a goal of the school district to make computer technology available for all to use, as they need.

 

In order to fulfill this commitment, it is essential to the school district that computer hardware, software, data, and networks be maintained in a secure environment and be used in a responsible manner.

 

This document outlines the privileges and responsibilities of technology users of the school district's computer/Internet technology in furtherance of the school district's goals. It applies to all computers and peripherals whether a part of a computer network or a stand-alone system.

 

Privileges for Students and Staff

 

All students and staff in the school district have the privilege to access and use the various computer/Internet technologies within the school district. This privilege extends to the use of computers, printers, software, scanners, the Internet, and any other available peripheral computer equipment in support of their educational goals or work requirements. All students and staff of the school district also have the privilege to utilize the school's electronic file server in order to access other computer networks and the Internet.

 

Responsibilities for Students and Staff

 

All students and staff in the school district, by exercising their privilege to access computer technology, imply acceptance of their responsibility to maintain the school district's computer system and respect the property of the school district. Specifically:

 

As technology is available to all in the school district, it is essential that computer equipment be maintained in a functional state. All technology users have the responsibility to refrain from damaging or altering computer equipment provided by the school district. This extends to either the physical damage or the changing of software configurations on any computer equipment and/or related peripherals.

 

Technology users have the responsibility to keep food and drink products away from computers and other technology equipment and out of the computer classroom labs.

 

Technology user-accounts are established for the private use of the person for whom they are created. All technology users have the responsibility to refrain from using other person's accounts under any circumstances without the express consent of that person. Technology users further have the responsibility to protect their own accounts from improper use by other users.

 

It is the responsibility of all technology users to ensure that they do not introduce any software to the computer systems, either as a stand-alone or a part of the computer network that would be detrimental to the integrity of the total computer system. It is the responsibility of all technology users to ensure they do not introduce computers viruses to electronic files that may damage the school district's computer system.

 

It is the responsibility of all technology users to refrain from deleting or otherwise altering any electronic files they do not own. User ownership of electronic files is defined as those electronic files a technology user may create using an application program such as a word processor, database, spreadsheet, etc.

 

It is the specific intent of the school district to be in compliance with the various copyright laws. Only specifically authorized school district personnel are permitted to introduce and/or to install new software to any computer system owned by the school district. It is the responsibility of all technology users not to copy programs from any computer system for their own personal use, to provide programs to others, or to sell programs.

 

In that there are electronic files and application/programming programs on the various systems used in support of the mission or responsibilities of the school district, it is the responsibility of all technology users not to access any electronic files or application/programming programs for which they have not been given specific permission or authorization.

 

Privacy is a concern of computing systems. All technology users have the responsibility not to violate any other user's privacy by reading or copying electronic files for which they lack authorization.

 

Technology users have the responsibility to consider the needs of others. Therefore, the playing of recreational games is not allowed if this prevents others from using the computer equipment in the furtherance of their educational goals or work requirements.

 

The Internet for Students and Staff

 

The school district believes the Internet offers a unique opportunity for research to all users of the school district's resources. However, this opportunity also poses some extra responsibilities and provisions to all who access the Internet. As a technology user of the Internet, the school district has certain responsibilities to our Internet provider. All who have an Internet access account shares these responsibilities:

 

Internet users must not to attempt to represent themselves as another person, whether by another user of our computer system or someone outside our computer system, nor to use or alter electronic files belonging to other users, accounts belonging to others, or to alter passwords belonging to others.

 

Internet users have the responsibility to respect copyright laws on the Internet as it pertains to programs or electronic files belonging to others.

 

Internet users have the responsibility to respect the integrity of the computer systems and not to introduce programs to harass other computer users or to infiltrate other computer systems and/or damage other computer systems or operating systems.

 

Internet users have the responsibility not to engage in advertising for products or services.

 

Internet users have the responsibility not to involve themselves in the creation or the forwarding of chain letters to other Internet users.

 

Internet users have the responsibility not to access electronic files considered to be abusive, obscene, offensive, pornographic, or prejudicial against individuals or groups.

 

Internet users have the responsibility to request permission prior to subscribing to news groups or lists from the Internet.

 

Internet users have the responsibility to refrain from sending harassing or abusive E-mail to any other computer user on the Internet and to report the receipt of such E-mail to authorized school district personnel.

 

Internet users have the responsibility to refrain from playing interactive or other types of games on the Internet.

 

The school district reserves the right to monitor the usage of the computing facilities related to the staff and the student use of the Internet to ensure all users are adhering to their responsibilities. The school district further reserves the right to take appropriate disciplinary action against individuals who fail to comply with this Acceptable User for Computer/Internet Technology Policy.

 

To enjoy the technology facilities of the school district, students and staff must sign the Acceptable Use for Computer/Internet Technology Form (Attached). For students and staff under the age of eighteen (18), a parent/guardian signature is also required.

 

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Acceptable Use Acceptance Form For Computer/Internet Technology

 

Marty Indian School

Box 187

Marty, SD 57361

 

I have read and understand the Marty Indian School District Acceptable Use Policy for Computer/Internet Technology and agree to comply with the rights and responsibilities contained in that document. I understand the failure to fulfill my responsibilities as they relate to the use of computer/Internet technologies in the school district may result in disciplinary action.

 

Print Student/Staff Name: _________________________________________________

 

Student/Staff Signature: ___________________________________________________

 

Parent/Guardian Signature (if under 18): ____________________________________

 

School Building Location: _________________________________________________

 

Grade of Student (if a student): _____________________________________________

 

Telephone Number of Parent/Guardian (if a student): __________________________

 

Distance Learning Policy

 

Distance Learning Mission Statement:

The administration of Marty Indian School District recognizes the significance of organizing the distance education initiatives of the institution so that a well-coordinated program will be delivered. Coordination of distance education initiatives is required to provide the resources and assistance for faculty, to provide support services for distance education students, to maximize the use of school resources with a minimum of duplication, and to ensure consistent and fair policies and procedures related to faculty and students. Organized and well-coordinated programs facilitate strengthen the school’s image as an innovative and technologically sound institution.

Rapid advancements in technology will undoubtedly create new methods for providing and delivering distance education. Therefore, policies and procedures that impact distance education will continuously change and these guidelines reflect the latest developments at the time of printing. As changes occur that are internally developed, this document will be revised to incorporate those changes.

 

Academic:

1.                    Academic Calendars:

             The starting and ending dates for classes as well as other holidays, in-service days, or non-class days will be based upon Marty Indian School District calendar.

2.                Late Starts:

             If the Marty Indian School District starts late, it would attempt to teach any classes that are scheduled with any adjustments that may be necessary.

3.                School cancellation:

             When the Marty Indian schools are cancelled or closed due to inclement weather or unforeseen circumstances, classes are cancelled. The teacher will determine necessary class adjustments for that particular day.

4.                Course quality:

             We adhere to the state and BIA standards and aligned course guidelines.

5.                Course and program evaluation:

             This program will follow the established course assessments for Marty Indian School District.

6.                Credits earned:

             Students will receive one (1) credit per term at Marty Indian High School.

             Students will receive one-half (½) or one (1) credit based on semester or year at Marty Indian Middle School.

7.                Grading:

             Students will be graded according to the Marty Indian School District established four-point grade system.

8.                Admission:

             Enrollment will be determined by the space available.

9.                Curriculum review:

             All courses offered will follow the established curriculum review procedure.

10.             Approval process:

             The requesting district will assure that students have the class pre-requisite requirements and the ability necessary to be successful in the program.

11.             Class sizes/sites

Class size will be dependent upon the service provider’s parameters.

 

Fiscal, Geographic, and Governance:

1.                Tuition rates:

             Tuition rates will be determined by the contracted vendor. 

2.                Consortia agreements:

This agreement will function solely for Marty Indian School District use. If at a later date a consortium is developed, an addendum to this agreement will be considered.

3.                Contracts with collaborative associations:

Partnerships and associations will be considered.

A cooperative agreement may be with, but is not limited to, surrounding school districts:

4.                Board oversight:

The policy will be Marty Indian School District School Board approved.

5.                Administration cost:

·           Videotapes: The sole purpose of the tapes is for instruction. Sale, taping or reuse of material is prohibited without the permission of the teacher and the Marty Indian School District.

·           A teacher will be paid a stipend per semester or per hour based on the type of class. Compensation will be determined and negotiated by the Marty Indian School District School Board.

o        A stipend/extra duty pay will be determined by the Marty Indian School District Board on a yearly budget review to be paid for delivery of a class during normal/outside class instruction.

o        Release time for training instructors and class preparation will be determined by the Marty Indian School District. Teachers new to the interactive system will receive training prior to teaching. Training for instructors will follow the DTL Academy curriculum as designed by the state of South Dakota. The opportunity to do visitation to other sites doing similar instruction. Professional leave will be at the discretion of the site administrator. Marty Indian School District will pay the cost of substitute pay and transportation to visit another site.

 

Student Behavior:

See responsibilities of Marty Indian School District Students in Their Use of the Network.

Each student taking a class will sign a student contract which outlines expected behavior.

 

Faculty:

1.                Class requirements, grading, make-up requirements, schedules, etc. will be provided by the teacher. These policies will be the policies of MIS School District; if you have questions, see your local site administrator.

2.                The MIS School District Board of Education will set the rate for the teacher stipend.

 

Site Coordinator/Designee:

1.                    Each member school will designate its high school principal as the site coordinator for primary contact for all matters dealing with telecourses. Duties may be completed by someone other than the site coordinator; however, the site coordinator should be responsible for the coordination of the actions. Site coordinator responsibilities include

-          Provide names, addresses and phone numbers of coordinator for contact information provided to all schools.

-          Supervise the set up of classroom, ensuring cameras and microphones are operational and the appropriate sites are scheduled with the bridge.

-          Collect assignments from students and fax, mail, or delivery, copy and distribute the materials to students as required by the host teacher.

-          Collect assignments from students and fax, mail, or deliver them to the host teacher as required.

-          Safeguard all testing materials received from the host teacher.

-          Provide supervision of students during testing as needed.

-          Assist students in contacting host teacher outside of normal class time by phone or conference.

-          Receive updates and information regarding further programs; distribute this information within school district as needed.

-          Participate in meetings for administrators to exchange information.

-          Inform host teacher of any special health or learning disability needs of remote students.

-          Inform host teacher of any disciplinary actions regarding remote students.

-          Contact for technical difficulties.

-          Coordinate the taping of classes for known absences when remote site does not have class and class is still being conducted by the host.

-          Make daily contact over with the host teacher at beginning or end of each class.

-          Ensure each student signs a student policy and maintain a copy within students’ records.

 

Student Protocol:

The following procedures will ensure effective classes:

-          If using video conferencing technologies, microphones should be positioned nearby the students. When talking to the teacher state your name and location. Leave your microphones on mute when not speaking.

-          If using video conferencing technologies, assume you are on camera at all times and can be recorded; therefore, act appropriately.

-          If using video conferencing technologies, ,stay in view of the camera at all times. Failure to do so is considered a disciplinary referral.

-          Each school has a local class facilitator/coordinator who will assist you in collection of papers, tests, etc. and getting additional help as you request.

-          Notify the teacher at the start of the class if you need to be excused.

-          Class requirements, grading, make up requirements, and policies will be that of the host school.

-          Each student will sign a student contract.

-          Handouts and materials will be provided to you by your site coordinator or available online.

-          It is your responsibility to have materials as provided; see your coordinator or principal for assistance. Your coordinator will be responsible for mailing, faxing, or delivering materials; however, you are responsible to turn in these items to the coordinator by the due date. Whenever possible, work will be emailed or submitted online.

-          On the first day of class, teachers will give alternatives for contacting him/her for assistance.

-          In the event that the network should fail or disconnect, contact your coordinator or principal immediately for assistance.

-          If you have any questions in regard to student guidelines or procedures, contact your site coordinator, principal or teacher.

Technical: TBD

 

Legal: TBD

 

Student Policy:

This document enables students and parents to clearly understand the responsibilities of a distance learner. If students have any questions, they should contact a teacher, a system administrator, or school administrator.

 

Students taking online or telecourses must be aware that:

a.        Insubordination will not be tolerated. Insubordination has been defined as anything that interferes with teaching or learning in the classroom.

b.       Inappropriate language or gestures will not be tolerated.

c.        The two-way audio/video classes may be taped.

d.       Students will sit within camera view at all times.

e.        Students will handle the equipment in the classroom appropriately.

f.         The student will pay the cost to repair or replace any equipment damage for which he/she is responsible.

g.       Students will schedule make-up work and tests with the teacher.

h.       Students will follow classroom rules as specified by the teacher.

i.         The distance learning classrooms may be monitored.

 

The following disciplinary action will be taken for students who violate the above rules:

 

First Offense: The student will be given a verbal warning. The teacher may notify the parents and principals of the infraction.

Second Offense: The student will be removed from the class and lose their distance learning enrollment privileges.

Severe Misconduct: The student may be removed from the class without a warning and loses all distance learning privileges.

 

Signature Form

The signatures below affirm that we have read, discussed, and understand the student policy and agree to follow the outlined procedures.

 

This signature form also authorizes and gives consent to the MIS School District for distance learning classes to record and play back any likeness, image, voice and performance; and any and all materials furnished by me on film, tape, or otherwise during the school year. I understand that this access is designed for educational purposes only. I give these rights freely and without compensation now or in the future.

 

Student ________________________________________ Date ____________________

 

Parent _________________________________________ Date ____________________