RD444 - Biennial Report on Acceptable Internet Use Policies and Internet Safety Programs for Public and Private Schools - December 2008


Executive Summary:
The Internet has become even more ubiquitous since the Department of Education’s last report to the General Assembly in 2006. Teachers and students have found new educational uses for the Internet and other related technologies, such as wireless handheld devices. Online classes are increasingly common methods for student learning. As a result, students have a greater choice in how, when, and where they learn. A challenge, though, is that the pervasiveness of the Internet and the inclusion of new information and communication technologies have generated new issues related to student safety.

As in the past, the General Assembly has led the way for the nation. In 2006, House Bill 58, introduced by Delegate William H. Fralin, Jr., directed that school divisions’ acceptable use policies (AUP) “include a component on Internet safety for students that is integrated in a division's instructional program.” With the passage of the Broadband Data Improvement Act of 2008, the nation’s schools will now be required to follow Virginia’s lead. Signed by President Bush on October 10, the Broadband Data Improvement Act requires schools receiving E-Rate funds to educate minors regarding Internet safety.

This document constitutes the Superintendent of Public Instruction’s report on school division AUP for the reporting period December 2, 2006, to December 1, 2008. The report also provides examples of how the Department of Education has assisted school divisions in implementing House Bill 58. It summarizes the status of school divisions regarding compliance with this same bill.

In sum, all Virginia school divisions have complied with § 22.1-70.2 by submitting their AUP and summaries of their Internet safety programs to the Department of Education by September 1, 2008; the Department has reviewed all the submittals. About half the divisions still need improvement to achieve “Meets Expectations” in each area; most commonly, these areas are community outreach and good program implementation practice. Only three divisions have not reviewed their filtering and other Internet security software recently to ensure it is up-to-date. All divisions have complete and recently revised AUP.

Over this two-year period, the Department researched and developed various resource documents to help divisions develop and implement their AUP and Internet safety programs. The Department supplied compliance review rubrics to help divisions review their AUP and Internet safety programs; the Department used these same rubrics to analyze the submitted materials. The Department, in collaboration with Pokémon USA, launched a pilot program using Web-based interactive lessons about Internet safety. These high-interest lessons were based, in part, on Virginia’s Guidelines and Resources for Internet Safety in Schools. Research indicates the lessons were successful in changing student behavior.

During the next two-year period, the Department will continue providing support to divisions in implementing Internet safety programs, offering up-to-date information related to Internet safety issues, and enforcing compliance and reporting procedures.