Article VIII.A.24.  Electronic Devices and Acceptable Use of Technology

 

1. Statement of Purpose

 

The Board of Education seeks to promotes educational an environments that are conducive to teaching and learning. The board recognizes that, depending on how it is  used, a personal electronic device may be either a valuable instructional tool or a source of disruption. This policy provides direction and specific prohibitions for the on  appropriate use of electronic devices on school property in an effort to enhance  instruction and reduce disruption to instruction. ive behaviors associated with  technology..

 

1. Statement of Policy

 

            With respect to personal or privately –owned electronic devices and technology, schools shall create and maintain acceptable use policies that are consistent with dDistrict policy,  and makecommunicate school policies  available to students. Regarding the use of district- owned technology and school iInternet access, all use is a privilege that may be granted as well as withdrawn. Students, employees, volunteers, and guests are expected to be aware of and abide by the technology terms and conditions.

1. Definitions
   1. “Electronic device” means a device that is used for audio, video, or text communication or any other type of computer or computer-like instrument including, but not limited to:
      1. a smart phone;
      2. a smart or electronic watch;
      3. a tablet, Chromebook, laptop; or
      4. a virtual reality

 

2. “District-owned electronic device” means an electronic device that is purchased by the dDistrict to which access is grantedgiven tofor students, employees, volunteers, or guests. Such electronic devices may include but is not not be limited to desktop or laptop computers, cellphones, tablets, servers, routers, wi- fi connections hubs, or any other device used for audio, video, or text recording or communication, or recording.
3. “Guest” means an individual:
   1. who is not a student, employee, or volunteer of a public school; and
   2. who is on school property or at the site of a school-sponsored activity or
4. “Inappropriate content” means pornographic or indecent content as defined in Utah Code §76-10-1235; threatening, harassing, or discriminatory content; content intended to bully, intimidate, or humiliate; or content that a reasonable person would consider harmful to students/minors considering ages and

 

circumstances.

 

5. “Personal electronic device” or “privately –owned electronic device” means a device, including an electronic device, that is used for audio, video, and/or text communication, or any other type of computer or computer-like instrument that is not owned or issued by the district to a student, employee, or volunteer.

 

1. Acceptable Uses and Prohibitions and Acceptable Uses
   1. All devices, personal or district-owned, that are on district property, at a district- sponsored event, or are connected to district networks or district systems must comply with the contents of this policy,and other applicable board policies and district administrative procedures, and acceptable use terms and conditions.

 

2. To reduce disruption in schools, Eeach individual school shall develop and maintain a school electronic device policy procedures for students, employees,  volunteers, and guests, governing consistent with this policy, which limit the use of district-owned devices and personal electronic devices on school premises during the school day and at school– sponsored programs, events, or The school electronic device procedures shall be communicated to students and  their parents or guardians and made available to employees, volunteers, and  guests. School electronic device procedures shall be reviewed annually and  posted on the school’s website. Procedures shall include an efficient manner in  which parents or guardians can communicate with students during the school day  despite the limitations on the use of personal electronic devices.

 

3. In eElementary and Jjunior Hhigh Sschools, subject to limited exceptions outlined below, use of personal electronic devices shall not be used, are prohibited allowed during school Personal electronic devices must kept  out of sight, and notifications turned off and not be visibleat any time during school hours.

 

4. In Ssenior Hhigh Sschools, use of personal electronic devices shall not be used are prohibited and must be kept out of sight and notifications turned off and not be visible at any time during instructional time. Personal electronic devices may be  used during passing times andor during the lunch break. However, in consultation with school community councils, senior high schools may develop  further restrictions.
5. The following exceptions apply to the foregoing general restrictions on personal electronic Electronic devices may be used during school or school events as follows with the following exceptions:
   1. Students may wear smart watches but may not use any communication applications or features that are prohibited from use on other electronic devices during school hours. be used for that purpose unless they are  causing a disruption or in violation of any other prohibited use.
6. In senior high schools, Tteachers may use electronic devices allow

 

students to use personal electronic devices for instructional purposes or to  help improve instruction and in accordance with specific school procedures policies and state law under the direction of the principal.

1. Individual schools, the principal, or a teacher may limit the use of personal electronic devices during instructional time and other school activities in accordance with school policies.
2. Teachers shall provide information within course descriptions and disclosure statements regarding technology use in the classroom.
3. Students shall not be required to use or share personal electronic devices for instructional purposes. A parent or legal guardian may request in writing to the school administration that their student not use their  personal electronic device for instruction.
4. When technology is used in the classroom during instruction (district- owned electronic devices or personal electronic devices), all students shall have access to suitable technology.
5. When using district-owned electronic devices or personal electronic devices, users shall use district approved applications.

Electronic devices may not be used during standardized assessments, unless specifically allowed by statute, regulation, student IEP, or  assessment directions.

1. bc. Students shall be allowed to use electronic devices consistent with a student’s individualized education plan (IEP), Section 504 plan, student health plan, or as part of an accommodations specifically  approved by administration.
2. cd. Students shall be allowed to use electronic device in the event of an emergency or other exigent circumstance to promote or preserve safety and security including contacting first responders, parents, or guardians in the event of a personal safety concern or medical need.
3. All uses of district owned or personal electronic devices are subject to federal and state laws related to privacy and access, including the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA), Utah Student Privacy and Data Protection Act, and the Government Records Access  and Management Act (GRAMA).

 

65. 65. In compliance with state law, Sstudents shall not be required to own, use,

or share personal electronic devices or use specific computer hardware, software,  digital materials, websites, or other online applications  for instructional purposes outside of those approved, provided, and/or assigned by the school or the district. Any communications related to scheduling or facilitating programs, activities, or  events including but not limited to schedule changes, extracurricular activities, and sporting events, shall be communicated in a non-electronic medium in  addition to communication provided by electronic means.

76. Regardless of the permitted uses or limitations placed on the use of personal electronic devices, the following conduct is strictly Pprohibited. use of electronic devices on school property or at school events includes but is not limited to, the

 

following:

1. District-owned and personal Eelectronic devices shall not be used during school hours to take photographs or video without permission of students, employees, volunteers, or guests for non-educational purposes. Taking  photos and recordings without permission is considered disruptive conduct that hinders the educational mission of the district and its schools and is    or in a manner that is intended to cause disruption and/or for purposes that hinder the educational mission of the Ddistrict and its  schools. This prohibition does not include district-owned surveillance equipment and does not include taking photographs or videos to capture and preserve a record of school-sponsored programs, activities, or events.
2. District-owned or personal electronic devices shall not be used on school property,  or as part of any school programming, activity, or  event to access or communicate inappropriate discriminatory  messages, or to bully, humiliate, harass, or intimidate students,  employees, volunteers, and guests.
3. District-owned or personal Eelectronic devices shall not be used for activities that violate state or federal laws.
4. District-owned or personal electronic devices shall not be used on or off school property for the purpose of bullying, communicate hate  speech, make threats, inciteincitement of violence, or any other  similar content.
5. Communications via electronic devices on school property or via district owned electronic devices shall not contain pornography, ful content that is  harmful to minors, or content regarding sex or sexuality that is not part of  approved curriculum.
6. de. District-owned or personal Eelectronic devices shall not be used for conduct constituting boundary violations, grooming of any kind, or other similar communications with, toward, or about any student.
7. ef. District-owned or personal Eelectronic devices shall not be used in intimate areas spaces such as bathrooms and locker In the event an emergency call needs to be taken or made, a person shall leave the area to accept or make the call.

1. Capturing unauthorized photographs and audio or video recordings and/or transmitting images or recordings that constitute an invasion of reasonable expectations of privacy is strictly
2. Prohibited student uses of electronic devices during school hours shall incur administrative consequences, and

illegal use of electronic devices on school premises or at school activities shall be reported to law enforcement. Administrative consequences are as follows:

1. First violation: educator shall warn and redirect
2. Second violation: educator shall confiscate the device and return it to the student at the end of the class period.
3. cb. Third violation: educator shall refer student to the office and the administration shall confiscate the device and return it to the student at the  end of the school day.

 

1. dc. Fourth violation: educator shall refer student to the office and the administration shall confiscate the device and return it to the parent or  guardian after alerting them to the violation.

e.d.     Additional violations: administration shouldshall engage the parent or  guardian to address the concern. Additional school consequences  shouldshall be evaluated and administered as appropriate.

9. Illegal use of electronic devices on school premises or at any time during school programs, activities, or events shall be reported to law enforcement.

 

3. In all cases, educators shall use professional judgment taking into consideration the circumstances, the student’s needs, and any other relevant factors.

 

1. Loss or Damage

 

The school and Granite School Districtthe district are shall not be responsible for the loss of or damage to any personal electronic device.

 

1. Use of District-Owned Technology
   1. All uses of district–owned electronic devices are subject to federal and state laws related to privacy and access, including the Family Educational Rights and  Privacy Act (FERPA), Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA), Children‘’s  Online Privacy Protection Rule (““COPPA“”), Utah Student Privacy and Data  Protection Act, and the Government Records Access and Management Act  (GRAMA).
   2. In addition to the requirements of this policy, each year, students, employees, and volunteers who use district-owned electronic devices shall sign terms and conditions for acceptable use as a precondition for using district-owned   The terms and conditions are attached to this policy.
2. Each school shall, within the first 45 days of the start of each school year, provide school-wide or in-classroom training to students that covers:

dDistrict and school Internet and electronic device policies;

1. digital citizenship,
2. dDistrict and school student digital conduct and policies,
3. benefits of connecting to the Internet and using the school’s Internet filters while on school premises, and
4. related consequences of violating Internet and electronic device policies, including discipline.

4. The school electronic device policy shall be developed with school community stakeholders and will include permissible and restricted uses of electronic devices that promote classroom learning and minimize disruptions.
5. The school electronic device policy shall be communicated to parents, legal guardians, and students and will be posted on the school’s School electronic device policy shall include specific disciplinary consequences that may be imposed for violations of the policy.

 

School electronic device policies shall be reviewed annually by School Leadership and Improvement Services in consultation with Educational Technology

REFERENCES

Children’s Internet Protection Act, 47 CFR Part 54

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, 34 CFR Part 99

Accessing Pornographic or Indecent Material on School Property, §76-10-1235 Discipline and Safety §53G-8-202 et seq.

Student Privacy and Data Protection §53E-9-101 et seq.

Government Records Access and Management Act § 63G-2-101 et seq.

Electronic Devices in Public Schools Utah Admin. Code R277-495