AUP is just PU

When using the school's network one must abide by certain rules and regulations.  I know some are completely addicted to Farm Ville (yes I know this co-worker) and that you may want to check on your latest eBay bid but that's what personal devices and home WiFi is for.  But with some people if you don't spell it out for them then they will try to bend every rule.  That's where the acceptable use policy (AUP) comes in to play. 

I took to my school's website to scope out the AUP students receive and I was both impressed and laughed out loud at this document.  The link to Pleasanton Junior High's AUP can be found at the bottom of this post.  With all things we take the good with the bad. 

The good:  PJH's AUP (can you say acronym?) is very informative.  It is very detailed about who can use the school's network, when they can use it, and what it can be used for.  It goes in detail about what offenses, such as hacking and looking at inappropriate materials, will result in suspension or revoking of a student or faculty member's right to use the network.  When explaining the use of filters the AUP cites the Children's Internet Protection Act as a way of further solidifying why the school has these filters in place and why users are not to try to go around them via proxies, etc.
 The AUP also the contains the usual C.Y.A. (cover your..butt) such as the district cannot be held liable for user's inappropriate use of copyrighted software or electronic communication sources.  The AUP explains that in the event of misuse a computer or computer network is damaged the user responsible will be held liable for replacement costs.  The district also cannot be held responsible if a user gives out their name and password to another who does harm.  Finally there is the consent form that allows parents to consent to their student's use of the district's network.  This states that they have read and understood everything in the AUP.

The bad:  This AUP is old!  The last time it was updated was 2008.  So much has changed over the last 7 years that it seems irresponsible to continue to use an outdated policy.  Especially since you don't have to start from scratch- just adjust the current one to meet the needs of today.  Nowhere in this policy did I see mention BYOD and its effects on the district's network.  Social media was not mentioned- unless you consider the small mention to "chatting" as social media. While on that note the AUP says that students are not allowed to use any kind of chat site.  The biggest issue there is that we encourage the use of Google drive for group projects which has a chat feature that I love because the kids are chatting online not out loud. 
 The other major issue I have with this AUP is that it makes no mention of cyber bullying. It does state that "Limited personal use of the system shall be permitted if the use...has no adverse effect on an employee's job performance or on a student's academic performance," (page 3).  I suppose you could argue that bullying results in an effect on a student's performance but that is what it would be- an argument.  There is no documentation in the AUP to back-up the removal of a user due to cyber bullying.
 There are other issues found with the AUP (all jump drives, discs, etc are to be inspected by a staff member before being used: how can you check a jump drive until it is used?) but in the end that would just be nit picking.  I'd say this isn't a bad AUP just a very behind the times one. 

Pleasanton Junior High AUP