Ethics+-+Policies


 * Ethics - Policies of Plainfield Public Schools **

__RESEARCH GUIDELINES__

The Board of Education recognizes that educational research can be a valuable tool in identifying and applying strategies to enhance student achievement and in identifying factors that could prevent students from becoming contributing members of society.

Students and parents/guardians retain certain rights, however, in the administration of surveys. The Board shall ensure that prior written consent is obtained from parents/guardians or emancipated students before any survey is administered that is funded in whole or in part by any program.

Anyone seeking approval of a proposed survey must provide the Chief School Administrator with details of the survey methodology, its specific educational purpose and a description of how results will be disseminated and applied.

The Chief School Administrator shall develop regulations to implement this policy that include reasonable timelines for parents/guardians to access and review surveys as prescribed by law, and arrangements to protect student privacy in the administration of a survey.

This policy and the regulations shall be made available to the public at least annually at the beginning of the school year, especially to parents/guardians and to district staff. The public shall be informed within a reasonable period of time if substantive change is made to policy and regulations. The public shall also be informed of specific or approximate dates, if known, when surveys may be administered.

__**TECHNOLOGY POLICY**__

The Board shall develop a technology plan that effectively uses electronic communication to advance and promote learning and teaching. Edcuational teachnology shall be infused into the district curriculum to maximize student achievement of the Core Curriculum Content Standards.


 * ACCEPTABLE USE OF THE INTERNENT BY STAFF AND STUDENTS**

__**Limitation of Liability**__

The Internet constitutes an unregulated collection of resources that changes constantly, so it is not possible to totally predict or control the resources that users may locate. The Board cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information or the appropriateness of materials that a user may encounter. Furthermore, the Board shall not be responsible for any damage users may suffer, including but not limited to, loss of data or interruptions of service. Nor shall the Board be responsible for financial obligations arising through the unauthorized used of the system.

__**District Rights and Responsibilities**__

The computer system is the property of the district, and all computer software and hardware belong to it. Therefore, the district retains the right to monitor all access to and use of the Internet. The Board designates the Chief School Administrator as the coordinator of the district system. He/She shall recommed to the Board qualified staff persons to ensure provision of individual and class accounts necessary for access to the Internet. Each principal shall coordinate the district system in his/her building by approving all activities for that building; ensuring that teachers receive proper training in the use of the system; ensuring that students are adequately supervised when using the system; maintaining exected user agreements, and interpreting this acceptable use policy at the building level.


 * __Access to the System__**

This acceptable use policy shall govern all use of the system. Sanctions for student misuse of the system shall be included in the disciplinary code for students, as set out in regularions for policy 5131 Conduct/Discipline. Employee misuse may result in appropriate discipline in accord with the collective bargaining agreement and applicable laws and regulations.

District employees shall be provided with an individual account. At the time of log in users will be advised of the districts's Acceptable Use of Technology Policy (via a pop-up window). By clicking okay, users agree to ahere to the district policy.
 * The Board shall ensure the acquisition and installation of blocking/filtering software to deny access to certain areas of the Internet.**

__**Privacy Rights**__

Users shall respect the privacy of messsages that they receive and refrain from reposting messages without the approval of the sender. Users shall not publish private information about another individual.

__**System Security**__

Users are responsible for their accounts and should take all reasonable precautions to prevent unauthorized access to them. In no case should a user provide his/her password to another individual. Users shall immediately notify the supervising staff person or data procesing department if they detect a possible security problem. Users shall not access the system solely for the purpose of searching for security problems.

Users shall not install or download software or other applications without permission of the supervising staff person. Users shall follow all district virus protection procedures when installing or downloading approved software.


 * __System Limits__**

Users shall access the system only for educational, professional or career development activities. This applies to discussion groupmail lists, instant message services and participation in Internet "chat room" conversations.

Users shall check e-mail frequently and delete messages promptly.

__**Implementation**__

The Chief School Administrator shall prepare regulations to implement this policy.