EDTC 630

1. Acceptable Use Policy
Meridith Jones Davis
EDTC 630
Fall 2013

2. Overview
• Definition – a document that outlines a
set of rules to be followed by users or
customers of a set of computing
resources, which could be a computer
network, website or large computer
system. An AUP clearly states what the
user is and is not allowed to do with the
these resources.
(http://www.techopedia.com/definition/2471/acceptable-use-policy-aup)

3. Overview
• Student AUP
• Teacher AUP
*Meant to keep all parties safe while using
Telecommunications

4. Overview
• Written with clear and concise language
• Should include:
– A preamble
– A definition section
– A policy statement
– An acceptable uses section
– An unacceptable uses section
– A violations/sanctions section
• (https://www.scholastic.com/librarians/tech/techpolicy.htm)
• (http://www.educationworld.com/a_curr/curr093.shtml)

5. BCPS Policy
• Found on the OIT web site

6. BCPS Policy
Students shall:
• Use telecommunications for educational
purposes.
• Communicate with others in a courteous and
respectful manner.
• Maintain the privacy of an individual's personal
information such as address, phone
number, password(s), and respect the same
privacy of others.
• Use only telecommunications accounts and
passwords provided by the BCPS.
• Report any incident of harassment to the
supervising employee.
• Comply with copyright laws and intellectual
property rights of others.
• Agree to the review of student
communications, data, and files by the
Baltimore County Public Schools.
• Report violation of this Telecommunications
Acceptable Use Policy to the supervising
employee.
Students shall not:
•Knowingly enter unauthorized computer
networks or software to tamper or destroy data.
•Bypass the school system’s filtering server.
•Access or distribute
abusive, harassing, bullying, libelous, obscene,
offensive, profane
pornographic, threatening, sexually explicit, or
illegal material.
•Install unauthorized software on computers.
•Use telecommunications for
commercial, purchasing, or illegal purposes.
•Use telecommunications in any other manner
that would violate the School Board’s
disciplinary policies.

7. BCPS Policy
Employees shall:
• Use telecommunications for educational
purposes only.
• Communicate with others in a courteous and
professional manner.
• Comply with the privacy rights of all persons.
• Comply with copyright laws and intellectual
property rights of others.
• Comply with related Board Policies and
Superintendent’s Rules.
• Report to the office head/principal or designee
receipt of electronic messages which threaten to
endanger the safety of students, employees, or
other persons.
• Agree to the review of employee
communications, data, text, and files by the
system network administrator, web
team, principal, and/or office or school
webmaster.
• Report to the office head/principal or designee
any suspected violations of Policy and Rule 4104
and 6202.
• Safeguard confidential information available to
Employees shall not:
•Use the BCPS telecommunications network
for personal reasons.
•Bypass the school system’s filtering proxy
server.
•Access or distribute
abusive, harassing, bullying, libelous, obscene,
offensive, profane, pornographic, threatening,
sexually explicit, or illegal material.
•Use telecommunications for
lobbying, commercial, or illegal purposes.
•Knowingly enter unauthorized computer
networks or software to tamper or destroy data.
•Install unauthorized software on computers.
•Incur unauthorized financial obligation to the
BCPS.
•Share passwords to access BCPS computer
networks, services, and/or information
resources.
•Use telecommunications in any other manner
that would violate Board policy and rules

8. BCPS Policy
• Violation of the AUP could mean
suspended Telecommunications
privileges or other disciplinary action

9. Communication - Employees
• Review and sign at time of hiring
• Review at the beginning of every school
year
• Easily accessible on the district web site

10. Communication - Students
• Review on the first day of school
– Or the first day for a late entrant
• Reviewed in classes that will use
Telecommunication devices
• Easily accessible on the district web site

11. Implementation with Students
• Lessons on:
– Proper use of Telecommunications
– Digital Citizenship
– Ethical use of the Internet
• Teachers must be vigilant
– Physical set up and positioning
– Monitor student activity
• Create clear directions and expectations

12. Implementation for Teachers
• Professional Development
– At least once a year
• Use district devices only for work related
needs
– Use home computer for all personal needs
• Training in Copyright Law
• Restricted access for installing new
software

13. Sources
• Acceptable Use Policy (AUP). (2013). Techopedia. Retrieved from:
http://www.techopedia.com/definition/2471/acceptable-use-policy-aup
• Why Have a Technology Policy in Your School?. (2013). Scholastic.
Retrieved from: https://www.scholastic.com/librarians/tech/techpolicy.htm
• Getting Started on the Internet: Developing an Acceptable Use Policy
(AUP). (2013). Education World. Retrieved from:
http://www.educationworld.com/a_curr/curr093.shtml
• BCPS Telecommunications Acceptable Use Policy for Students. (2013).
Baltimore County Public Schools. Retrieved from:
http://www.bcps.org/system/policies_rules/forms_exhibits/6000Series/FOR
M6202A.pdf
• BCPS Telecommunications Acceptable Use Policy for Employees. (2013).
Baltimore County Public Schools. Retrieved from:
http://www.bcps.org/system/policies_rules/FORMS_EXHIBITS/4000SERIE
S/FORM4104A.pdf