8.1.1. It is the policy of the Anchorage School District to prevent user access to or transmission of inappropriate material over its computer network.
8.1.2. It is the policy of the Anchorage School District to prevent unauthorized access to online information.
8.1.3. It is the policy of the Anchorage School District to prevent unauthorized online disclosure, use, or dissemination of personal identification information.
8.1.4. It is the policy of the Anchorage School District to comply with the Children’s Internet Protection Act [Pub. L. No. 106-554 and 47 USC 254(h)].
8.2.1. TECHNOLOGY PROTECTION MEASURE: The term “technology protection measure” means a specific technology that blocks or filters Internet access to visual depictions that are:
- OBSCENE, as that term is defined in section 1460 of title 18,
United States Code;
- CHILD PORNOGRAPHY, as that term is defined in section 2256 of title 18, United States Code; or
- Harmful to minors.
8.2.2. HARMFUL TO MINORS: The term "harmful to minors'' means any picture, image, graphic image file, or other visual depiction that:
- Taken as a whole and with respect to minors, appeals to a prurient interest in nudity, sex, or excretion;
- Depicts, describes, or represents, in a patently offensive way with respect to what is suitable for minors, an actual or simulated sexual act or sexual contact, actual or simulated normal or perverted sexual acts, or a lewd exhibition of the genitals; and
- Taken as a whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value as to minors.
8.2.3. SEXUAL ACT; SEXUAL CONTACT: The terms ``sexual act'' and ``sexual contact'' have the meanings given such terms in section 2246 of title 18, United States Code.
To the extent practical, technology protection measures (or “Internet filter”) shall be used to block or filter the Internet, and other forms of electronic communications to prevent access to inappropriate information. Specifically, as required by the Children’s Internet Protection Act, blocking shall be applied to visual depictions of material deemed obscene or child pornography, or to any material deemed harmful to minors. For adults only, technology protection measures may be disabled or minimized for bona fide research or other lawful purposes.
In order to address the issue of inappropriate Web-based material and to comply with the Child Internet Protection Act, the district has installed an Internet filtering system at the district’s Information Technology Center.
8.3.1. All Web-based content accessed through computers connected to the district network is filtered through this system.
8.3.2. Installation and operation of this, or any, Internet filtering system on ASD computers by no means precludes staff, students and community members from their responsibility to use ASD network services responsibly, as outlined in the Staff and Community Internet and Electronic Communication Agreement.
8.3.3. Categories of Web content to be filtered are determined by the Chief Information Officer with input from district staff.
8.3.4. In some cases, sites with educational value are inadvertently blocked and may be considered for review. Only ASD personnel may submit a request to unblock a site. The staff member must provide a detailed explanation describing intended use in the curriculum or other job-related function. Directions are found on the blocking screen.
8.3.5. In other cases, objectionable sites may not be identified by the filter and may need to be blocked. Anyone with a concern about an objectionable site may submit a request for review to the Help Desk.
8.3.6. While every effort will be made to act on blocking and unblocking requests as quickly as possible, in some cases the review may take 5-7 days. Those submitting a request will be notified when a decision is made. User must provide the exact URL (copy and paste into the e-mail) in order for the site to be reviewed.
It shall be the responsibility of all members of the Anchorage School District staff to supervise and monitor usage of the online computer network and access to the Internet in accordance with this policy and the Children’s Internet Protection Act. Procedures for the disabling or modification of technology protection measures shall be the responsibility of the Anchorage School District Chief Information Officer or designated representatives.
