Acceptable Use and Internet Safety Policy Evaluation

     After learning about the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) and reviewing PA Virtual’s Acceptable Use and Internet Safety Policy, I am pleased to report that my school’s policy properly outlines its adherence to “CIPA, 47 U.S.C. 254(h) and (l) and the Neighborhood Children’s Internet Protection Act (N-CIPA), the 2008 Broadband Improvement Act, and any applicable implementing regulations” (page 1).  The policy addresses these acts and provides definitions of applicable terms of these requirements and laws.  The policy also addresses aspects from Authorized Users to Viruses to Consequences for Inappropriate Use to Content Filtering and Monitoring, and the agreements of these various terms must be acknowledged and signed by the student’s parent/guardian/learning coach, student, administrator and staff user, and vendor, contractor, and/or consultant.  This Acceptable Use and Internet Safety Policy was adopted on September 26, 2011.

     In regard to Content Filtering and Monitoring, PA Virtual employs technology protection measures to filter internet sites and to control the loading of software applications by students in accordance with the school’s Internet Safety Policy “Pursuant to the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA).”  “For purposes of research and other lawful purposes, certain blocked sites may be made available – but only after approval by the CEO” (page 4).  The CEO will determine if the use of these sites will serve a legitimate educational purpose or otherwise benefit the school.  These requests can be made by a teacher, student, or parent.  If the party involved disagrees with the CEO’s decision, it can be escalated to the Board of Trustees for further review. 

     In my opinion, I believe that this Acceptable Use and Internet Safety Policy does promote the use of new technologies in the classroom.  In the Web Content Developed by Students section of the policy, it states that, “As part of class/course assignments, students may be developing and/or publishing content to the Internet via Web pages, electronic and digital images, blogs, wikis, podcasts, vodcasts, and webcasts, or may be participating in videoconferences” (page 5).  Because it is a virtual charter school, the students are exposed to these tools on a daily basis and are encouraged to explore new technology that is introduced in the classroom. 

     I believe that there are direct comparisons between CIPA and this particular school’s policy because the terms employed are identical and the same issues are addressed (content or pictures that are obscene, child pornography, or harmful to minors).  This virtual charter school’s Acceptable Use and Internet Safety Policy does recognize the need to monitor content on school-issued technology.  In addition, the students are educated on appropriate online behavior, which would include interacting with others and the topic of cyberbullying.  In the classroom, these aspects are reviewed before each semester in an effort to bring awareness to these issues and the appropriate way to react to them.  As I mentioned previously, I am delighted that my school has such a thorough Acceptable Use and Internet Safety Policy that is aligned with CIPA to make our students’ safety a priority. 

 PA Virtual.  (2011).  Acceptable use and internet safety policy.  Retrieved from https://pavcs.blackboard.com/bbcswebdav/pid-730772-dt-content-rid-1196532_2/courses/org-staff_all/Acceptable%20Use%20and%20Internet%20Safety%20Policy%2009262011%20-%20SIGNED.pdf