Internet Filter Review System

Guiding Principles Regarding Web Filtering

Board Policy (IIAD):

The district will employ reasonable technology solutions, including Internet filtering software, to restrict access to objectionable material. Internet access by students will be monitored by staff or software at all times..

Network users must be aware that there are materials on the Internet that may be defamatory, abusive, obscene, profane, sexually oriented, threatening, racially or sexually offensive, or illegal. These materials include graphics, sounds, digital film clips, text, and other forms of media. Users of the Brecksville-Broadview Heights City Schools network agree not to use school district resources to download, copy, upload, transmit, forward, or display any such materials.

Network access is provided to support the curriculum and operations of our district. Any other use, including use of the network for personal, political, or commercial purposes is prohibited.

General Filtering Philosophy:

Internet filtering is designed to prevent students from mistakenly or accidentally accessing Web content that is inappropriate for school.
Because of the changing nature of the Internet, no filtering solution can be 100% effective in blocking access to inappropriate system.
Supervision of students and student responsibility are key components of responsible Internet use.
Decisions on blocking or not blocking individual web sites should be consistent with the web filter.s default settings unless there is substantial evidence that the decision is inappropriate or inapplicable for our schools.
When there is indecision about whether a particular site should be blocked or not blocked, preference should be given to the more conservative practice of blocking the site.

Guiding Questions:

Does the site contain objectionable content, as defined below?
Is the site likely to contain objectionable content in the foreseeable future?
Does the site make it possible to access objectionable content that would otherwise be inaccessible?
Is the educational value of the content greater than the risk of inappropriate content being accessible?

Objectionable content:

Objectionable content is defined as content which falls into one or more of the following categories:

Sexually explicit
Violent/weapons
Profane
Hate-related
Hacking
Piracy/Copyright infringement
Gambling
Nudity
School Cheating
Dating/Matchmaking

Questionable content:

Questionable content is defined as content which falls into one or more of the following categories. Web sites within this group will be blocked or unblocked at the discretion of the review panel.

Political
Religious
Sales/Marketing/Commercial
Auctions
Illegal
Alcohol/drugs/tobacco
Personal Pages

Killing the Messenger:

Web sites within this group will be blocked not because of the content they contain, but because they provide technological loopholes which would enable the access of inappropriate materials.

Online email
Chat/messaging/social networking
Redirectors/anonymizers
File Sharing
Personal Network Storage

Web Filtering Override Review Process

A panel will be created to review web sites for which a review has been requested. This panel will consist of 5-12 people, including at least two administrators and at least two media specialists. The panel should include representation from elementary, middle, and secondary grade levels. It is anticipated that this panel will meet once to establish working procedures. Thereafter, the work of the group will be completed entirely online.

Staff members who would like an exception to the filtering rules will submit their requests through a web form. The form will include the web site, requested action (block or unblock), and an optional justification for the request. This process will not be available to students, parents, or community members who are not staff members in the district.

Once a request is received, panel members will be notified via email. Each person will review the site against an established set of guidelines. Each reviewer will then indicate that the site should be blocked or unblocked. A space will be provided for reviewers. comments.

If four or more reviewers agree that the site should be blocked or unblocked, that decision will be carried out. If a consensus of four is not reached, the existing filtering rules will stay in effect. The originator will be notified of the decision via email, along with any reviewers. comments. Any necessary changes to the filter will be made at that point by the technology coordinator.

Changes to the filtering rules will apply to all computers in all buildings throughout the district.

Once a web site has been reviewed, it cannot be submitted again for a review for one year.

This document was last revised 28 November 2006.

	Internet Filter Review System

Internet Filter Review Criteria Guiding Principles Regarding Web Filtering Board Policy (IIAD): The district will employ reasonable technology solutions, including Internet filtering software, to restrict access to objectionable material. Internet access by students will be monitored by staff or software at all times.. Network users must be aware that there are materials on the Internet that may be defamatory, abusive, obscene, profane, sexually oriented, threatening, racially or sexually offensive, or illegal. These materials include graphics, sounds, digital film clips, text, and other forms of media. Users of the Brecksville-Broadview Heights City Schools network agree not to use school district resources to download, copy, upload, transmit, forward, or display any such materials. Network access is provided to support the curriculum and operations of our district. Any other use, including use of the network for personal, political, or commercial purposes is prohibited. General Filtering Philosophy: Internet filtering is designed to prevent students from mistakenly or accidentally accessing Web content that is inappropriate for school. Because of the changing nature of the Internet, no filtering solution can be 100% effective in blocking access to inappropriate system. Supervision of students and student responsibility are key components of responsible Internet use. Decisions on blocking or not blocking individual web sites should be consistent with the web filter.s default settings unless there is substantial evidence that the decision is inappropriate or inapplicable for our schools. When there is indecision about whether a particular site should be blocked or not blocked, preference should be given to the more conservative practice of blocking the site. Guiding Questions: Does the site contain objectionable content, as defined below? Is the site likely to contain objectionable content in the foreseeable future? Does the site make it possible to access objectionable content that would otherwise be inaccessible? Is the educational value of the content greater than the risk of inappropriate content being accessible? Objectionable content: Objectionable content is defined as content which falls into one or more of the following categories: Sexually explicit Violent/weapons Profane Hate-related Hacking Piracy/Copyright infringement Gambling Nudity School Cheating Dating/Matchmaking Questionable content: Questionable content is defined as content which falls into one or more of the following categories. Web sites within this group will be blocked or unblocked at the discretion of the review panel. Political Religious Sales/Marketing/Commercial Auctions Illegal Alcohol/drugs/tobacco Personal Pages Killing the Messenger: Web sites within this group will be blocked not because of the content they contain, but because they provide technological loopholes which would enable the access of inappropriate materials. Online email Chat/messaging/social networking Redirectors/anonymizers File Sharing Personal Network Storage Web Filtering Override Review Process A panel will be created to review web sites for which a review has been requested. This panel will consist of 5-12 people, including at least two administrators and at least two media specialists. The panel should include representation from elementary, middle, and secondary grade levels. It is anticipated that this panel will meet once to establish working procedures. Thereafter, the work of the group will be completed entirely online. Staff members who would like an exception to the filtering rules will submit their requests through a web form. The form will include the web site, requested action (block or unblock), and an optional justification for the request. This process will not be available to students, parents, or community members who are not staff members in the district. Once a request is received, panel members will be notified via email. Each person will review the site against an established set of guidelines. Each reviewer will then indicate that the site should be blocked or unblocked. A space will be provided for reviewers. comments. If four or more reviewers agree that the site should be blocked or unblocked, that decision will be carried out. If a consensus of four is not reached, the existing filtering rules will stay in effect. The originator will be notified of the decision via email, along with any reviewers. comments. Any necessary changes to the filter will be made at that point by the technology coordinator. Changes to the filtering rules will apply to all computers in all buildings throughout the district. Once a web site has been reviewed, it cannot be submitted again for a review for one year. This document was last revised 28 November 2006.
Internet Filter Review System - Brecksville-Broadview Heights City Schools

Internet Filter Review Criteria