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New Law Requires Internet Safety Training On October 10, the Broadband Data Improvement Act was signed, requiring school districts that receive federal e-rate funds to provide Internet safety training to students. School districts will now be required to "educate minors about appropriate online behavior, including interacting with other individuals on social networking websites and in chat rooms and cyberbullying awareness and response." This requirement will be added to the certification districts sign when they file their e-rate 486 forms in the spring. In 2006, California enacted a similar law, Assembly Bill 307. The law requires school districts to "educate pupils and teachers on the appropriate and ethical use of information technology in the classroom, Internet safety, avoiding plagiarism, the concept, purpose, and significance of a copyright so that pupils can distinguish between lawful and unlawful online downloading, and the implications of illegal peer-to-peer network file sharing." Beginning this year school district technology plans submitted to the state are required to include plans to provide training in these Internet safety areas. These two laws require districts to review the training provided to students – and to educators. The training may be incorporated into current lessons, or it may be provided through standalone lessons. Districts will need to keep a record of the training provided, including dates and topics. Districts whose technology plans are being submitted to the state this year will now be required to include goals and benchmarks for this training. Many districts are just beginning to review curriculum. The best designed curriculum will integrate the Internet safety lessons across the grade spans and will be included in lessons in all subject areas. Before students can be taught about Internet safety and the ethical use of the Internet, teachers will need additional training. Copyright issues have become more complex because of the information available on the Internet. Teachers may not be familiar with newer technologies such as social networks, peer-to-peer file sharing and forms of instant messaging. Districts receiving e-rate funds need to
In the future, the e-rate program will provide additional guidelines regarding the Broadband Data Improvement Act. With the short timeline provided in the law, districts need to begin reviewing their Internet safety plans now. Editor's Note: Tina Burkhart is the Director of District Support Services for the educational consulting firm Total School Solutions. |
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