6163.4 BP - Student Use Of Technology

Instruction
Board Policy No. 6163.4
Policy adopted: December 19, 2024

STUDENT USE OF TECHNOLOGY

The Governing Board believes that effective use of technology is integral to the education and development of students. In order to promote digital citizenship, the Board recognizes that students must have access to the latest digital tools and receive instruction that allows students to positively engage with technology in ways that respect human rights and avoids Internet dangers. Technological resources provided to students, including technology based on artificial intelligence (AI), shall be aligned to district goals, objectives, and academic standards. The use of technology shall augment the use of Board adopted instructional materials. 

The Board intends that technological resources provided by the district be used in a safe and responsible manner in support of the instructional program and for the advancement of student learning. Students shall be allowed to use such technology, including AI technology, in accordance with district policies, including, but not limited to, policies on academic honesty, data privacy, nondiscrimination, and copyright protections. All students using these resources shall receive instruction in the proper and appropriate use of technology. Such instruction shall incorporate students' responsibilities regarding academic honesty, honoring copyright provisions, assessing the reliability and accuracy of information, protecting personal data, and the potential for biases and errors in artificially generated content. 

District technology includes, but is not limited to, computer hardware, software, or software as a service provided or paid for by the district, whether accessed on or off site or through district-owned or personally owned equipment or devices, including tablets and laptops; computer servers, wireless access points (routers), and wireless computer networking technology (wi-fi); the Internet; email; applications (apps), including AI apps; telephones, cellular telephones, smartphones, smart devices, and wearable technology; or any wireless communication device, including radios. 

Teachers, administrators, and/or library media specialists are expected to review the technological resources and online sites that will be used in the classroom or assigned to students in order to ensure that they are appropriate for the intended purpose and the age of the students.  

The Superintendent or designee shall notify students and parents/guardians about authorized uses of district technology, user obligations and responsibilities, and consequences for unauthorized use and/or unlawful activities in accordance with this board policy and the district's Acceptable Use Agreement. 

Before a student is authorized to use district technology, the student and the student's parent/guardian shall sign and return the Acceptable Use Agreement. In that agreement, the student and parent/guardian shall agree not to hold the district or any district staff responsible for the failure of any technology protection measures or user mistakes or negligence and shall agree to indemnify and hold harmless the district and district staff for any damages or costs incurred. 

The district reserves the right to monitor student use of technology within the jurisdiction of the district without advance notice or consent. Students shall be informed that the use of district technology, as defined above, is not private and may be accessed by the district for the purpose of ensuring proper use. Students have no reasonable expectation of privacy in the use of district technology. Students' personally owned devices shall not be searched except in cases where there is a reasonable suspicion, based on specific and objective facts, that the search will uncover evidence of a violation of law, district policy, or school rules. 

The Superintendent or designee may gather and maintain information pertaining directly to school safety or student safety from the social media activity of any district student in accordance with Education Code 49073.6 and Board Policy/Administrative Regulation 5125 - Student Records. 

Whenever a student is found to have violated board policy or the district's Acceptable Use Agreement, the principal or designee may cancel or limit a student's user privileges or increase supervision of the student's use of the district's equipment and other technological resources, as appropriate. Inappropriate use also may result in disciplinary action and/or legal action in accordance with law and board policy. 

The Superintendent or designee, with input from students and appropriate staff, shall regularly review and update procedures to enhance the safety and security of students using district technology and to help ensure that the district adapts to changing technologies and circumstances. 

Internet Safety
The Superintendent or designee shall ensure that all district computers with Internet access have a technology protection measure that protects against access to visual depictions that are obscene, child pornography, or harmful to minors and that the operation of such measures is enforced. (20 USC 7131; 47 USC 254; 47 CFR 54.520) 

To reinforce these measures, the Superintendent or designee shall implement rules and procedures designed to restrict students' access to harmful or inappropriate matter on the Internet and to ensure that students do not engage in unauthorized or unlawful online activities.  

Harmful matter includes matter, taken as a whole, which to the average person, applying contemporary statewide standards, appeals to the prurient interest and is matter which depicts or describes, in a patently offensive way, sexual conduct and which lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value for minors. (Penal Code 313) 

The district's Acceptable Use Agreement shall establish expectations for appropriate student conduct when using the Internet or other forms of electronic communication, including, but not limited to, prohibitions against: 

1. Accessing, posting, submitting, publishing, or displaying harmful or inappropriate matter that is threatening, obscene, disruptive, or sexually explicit, or that could be construed as harassment or disparagement of others based on their race/ethnicity, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, or political beliefs 

2. Intentionally uploading, downloading, or creating computer viruses and/or maliciously attempting to harm or destroy district equipment or materials or manipulate the data of any other user, including so-called "hacking"  
3. Distributing personal identification information, including the name, address, telephone number, Social Security number, or other personally identifiable information, of another student, staff member, or other person with the intent to threaten, intimidate, harass, or ridicule that person 
The Superintendent or designee shall regularly review current guidance regarding cybersecurity, data privacy, and  digital media awareness and incorporate recommended practices into the district's processes and procedures related to the protection of the district's network infrastructure, the monitoring and response to cyberattacks, ensuring data privacy, and monitoring suspicious and/or threatening digital media content, in accordance with Board Policy 5125 - Student Records. 

The Superintendent or designee shall provide age-appropriate instruction regarding safe and appropriate behavior on social networking sites, chat rooms, and other Internet services. Such instruction shall include, but not be limited to, the dangers of posting one's own personal identification information online, misrepresentation by online predators, how to report inappropriate or offensive content or threats, behaviors that constitute cyberbullying, and how to respond when subjected to cyberbullying. 

Policy Reference Disclaimer: 
These references are not intended to be part of the policy itself, nor do they indicate the basis or authority for the board to enact this policy. Instead, they are provided as additional resources for those interested in the subject matter of the policy. 

State References, Description 
Civ. Code 3120-3123 Digital equity bill of rights 
Ed. Code 49073.6 Student records; social media 
Ed. Code 51006 Computer education and resources 
Ed. Code 51007 Programs to strengthen technological skills 
Ed. Code 60044 Prohibited instructional materials 

State References, Description 
Pen. Code 313 Harmful matter 
Pen. Code 502 Computer crimes; remedies 
Pen. Code 632 Eavesdropping on or recording confidential communications Pen. Code 653.2 Electronic communication devices; threats to safety 

Federal References, Description 
15 USC 6501-6506 Children's Online Privacy Protection Act 
16 CFR 312.1-312.12 Children's Online Privacy Protection Act 
20 USC 7101-7122 Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants 20 USC 7131 Internet Safety 
47 CFR 54.520 Internet safety policy and technology protection measures; E-rate discounts 47 USC 254 Universal service discounts (E-rate) 

Management Resources References, Description 
California Department of Education Publication Artificial Intelligence: Learning With AI Learning About AI Court Decision New Jersey v. T.L.O. (1985) 469 U.S. 325 
CSBA Publication Cyberbullying: Policy Considerations for Boards, Policy Brief, July 2007 Federal Trade Commission Publication How to Protect Kids' Privacy Online: A Guide for Teachers, December 2000 U.S. Department of Education Publication 2024 National Education Technology Plan 

USDOE Office of Educational Technology Publication 
Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Teaching and Learning: Insights and Recommendations, May 2023 

Website California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services Website CSBA District and County Office of Education Legal Services Website California Coalition for Children's Internet Safety Website Center for Safe and Responsible Internet Use Website Federal Trade Commission, Children's Online Privacy Protection Website American Library Association 
Website Federal Communications Commission 
Website California Department of Education 
Website U.S. Department of Education 
Website CSBA 

Cross References, Description 
0440 District Technology Plan 
0440 District Technology Plan 
1113 District And School Websites 
1113 District And School Websites 
1113-E(1) District And School Websites 
1114 District-Sponsored Social Media 
1114 District-Sponsored Social Media 
3260 Fees And Charges 
3260 Fees And Charges 

Cross References, Description 
3512 Equipment 
3512-E(1) Equipment 
4040 Employee Use Of Technology 
4040-E(1) Employee Use Of Technology 
4131 Staff Development 
5125 Student Records 
5125 Student Records 
5125.2 Withholding Grades, Diploma Or Transcripts 5131 Conduct 
5131.2 Bullying 
5131.2 Bullying 
5131.8 Mobile Communication Devices 
5131.9 Academic Honesty 
5144 Discipline 
5144 Discipline 
5144.1 Suspension And Expulsion/Due Process 
5144.1 Suspension And Expulsion/Due Process 
5144.2 Suspension And Expulsion/Due Process (Students With Disabilities)
5145.12 Search And Seizure 
5145.12 Search And Seizure 
5145.3 Nondiscrimination/Harassment 
5145.3 Nondiscrimination/Harassment 
5145.7 Sex Discrimination and Sex-Based Harassment
5145.7 Sex Discrimination and Sex-Based Harassment
5145.9 Hate-Motivated Behavior 
5148.2 Before/After School Programs 
5148.2 Before/After School Programs 
6142.8 Comprehensive Health Education 
6142.8 Comprehensive Health Education 
6154 Homework/Makeup Work 
6162.5 Student Assessment 
6162.6 Use Of Copyrighted Materials 
6162.6 Use Of Copyrighted Materials 
6162.8 Research 
6162.8 Research 
6163.1 Library Media Centers 
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