Introduction+Purpose

**Introduction and Purpose - ES**

 The Hometown School District has recognized that telecommunications have progressed to change the way information is transmitted, communicated, transferred and exchanged. These changes have affected student learning. This district is dedicated to the effective use of technology as a resource for student mastery as well as to achieve district-wide goals. (2005). In making decisions regarding access to the Internet, the Hometown School District considers its own stated educational missions, goals, and objectives (2009).

The Hometown School District provides employees and students with access to the school district’s electronic communication systems and network. This includes internet access, whether by wired or wireless means. Students and staff are to use these systems to communicate, learn, access, exchange and publish information. (2005).

Having the right to use to the internet comes with several advantages. Students, teachers, and staff will have access to valuable information and will be able to communicate with outside audiences. They will be able to interact with experts within their field of study, and students will have the opportunity to display their work for others to see and evaluate. Teachers can now utilize the latest technologies to prepare students for post-school careers. Educators will also be able to share lessons with fellow teachers or receive professional training outside the school. Lastly, access to the internet will enable students, teachers, and staff to communicate within the district. With great opportunities from the internet, come great disadvantages as well. The internet, although containing amazing educational resources, and founts of information, also contains inappropriate, adult, and biased information too. Our students, without protective applications, could face material unfit for them. District computers are meant to benefit our staff. Within the internet are sites meant to destroy or break into our private files. These are some of the risks this district will take if this policy is not enforced. The board believes that the disadvantages that these risks can be reduced through the adoption of this policy and related procedures (2005). The Hometown School district would like to remind users that internet access and the use of computer networks is a privilege (2009). The technology staff, as well as the administration has the right to revoke internet privileges to any user that does not follow the guidelines set in this Acceptable Use Policy.

