E-rate program requires updated Internet safety policy
Update from CSBA’s Member Services Department
Published: May 3, 2012
As a condition of receiving E-rate discounts for Internet access and internal connections through the federal universal service support program (47 USC 254), school districts and county offices of education must update their Internet safety policy by June 30 to include provisions for educating minors about appropriate online behavior, including interacting with other individuals on social networking sites and in chat rooms, and about cyberbullying awareness and appropriate responses. It is important to note that the June 30 deadline applies only to the adoption of the policy, not the provision of the training itself.
This requirement was included in the Protecting Children in the 21st Century Act of 2008 (P.L. 110-385). In 2011, the Federal Communications Commission added this requirement to the existing rules implementing the Children's Internet Protection Act (76 Fed. Reg. 177). The updated federal regulations did not impose any new obligations upon E-rate participants beyond those imposed by the Protecting Children in the 21st Century Act.
CSBA's sample policy and administrative regulation BP/AR 6163.4 - Student Use of Technology (available to CSBA Policy Services clients) was updated in March 2009 to reflect language that satisfies this mandate. In addition, CSBA's new sample policy BP 5131.2 - Bullying provides further information about prevention, intervention and discipline related to cyberbullying and other forms of bullying.
Districts and county offices are encouraged to review their policies to ensure that all required provisions are included. For further information, contact the Policy Services staff in CSBA's Member Services Department.