Frequently Asked Questions

Will students be able to take home the device?

The district's expectation is that students in grades 2-12 will be able to take home the device after they have paid the insurance fee.  Insurance fees can be paid in installments, and scholarships are available.  

I have a student who is in K-1, do I have to pay the insurance fee?

No, PK-1 students will have access to a classroom set of devices and do not have to pay the insurance fee.  The option to take home is available to accommodate students on a case-by-case basis. Otherwise, the expectation is the device will remain on campus and no fee is required. 

Will my student be able to take home the device over the summer?

Yes, students will be able to take their devices home for the summer if they have paid the insurance fee and have filled out the Opt-In form. 

Can a student use their personal Chromebook or laptop instead of the district's Chromebook?

The Allen Independent School District ISD discontinued the use of the BYOD computer device policy for students starting in the school year 2023-2024. This means students will not be able to use their own computer devices on campus when the new school year starts. Key considerations that were taken into account to reach this decision include:

• • • The Empower 1:1 student device program has been established and provides a device for instruction to each student in the district.

    • District devices are set up to access all the instructional and testing applications that are required for student use by grade level.

    • Security and filtering policies are inherently more consistent, manageable and enforceable in district-provided devices.

    • The increase in online testing makes it more important than ever for students to be familiar with devices provided by the district in particular because students cannot test on their own devices.

    • Technical support for students and their assigned devices is more effective and streamlined when students are utilizing district devices.

    • Consistency of devices helps to minimize classroom downtime due to connectivity or usability issues BYODs may have.

    • Allen ISD has implemented logistical processes as part of the Empower 1:1 program to make sure devices for instruction are available on campus by the start of school (distribution dates vary by campus and grade level), effectively providing district devices to all students from the beginning of the year.

What if I don't have internet access at home?

Families can request to check out a hot spot, please have the student contact the campus technician for assistance in this matter. 

What is Emergency Broadband Benefit?

The Emergency Broadband Benefit program from the FCC provides a temporary discount to monthly broadband bills for qualifying families.  Eligible families could receive up to $50 per month discount on your Broadband bill or $75 per month if your household is on qualifying Tribal Lands.

• See if your family is eligible for benefits

• Apply for benefits

What is Go Guardian / Content Keeper?

GoGuardian is an application that allows teachers to control and monitor student devices while in class.  Teachers can only hold sessions during school hours.  Content Keeper is being used as our primary web-filter.  It filters students' online access both on and off campus. The application also increases student information security.

Are there options for families who cannot afford the device insurance?

Yes, families who qualify for free and reduced lunch can pay a discounted insurance fee of $15.  Fees can also be split into multiple payments.  Students who qualify for the McKinney-Vento Act qualify for free insurance. Please contact your campus counselor if your student is eligible for either of these programs.

How will Chromebooks be distributed?

Chromebooks will be distributed through the student's home campus.  Please look for communication from the campus principal on the process by which your student receives their device.

What do I need to do before my student receives their Chromebook?

Families will need to pay the insurance fee prior to receiving the device through School Pay prior to September 30, 2025.

Families who do not pay the annual device insurance fee:

• Grades 2-6 issued device will remain on campus

• Grades 7-12 students will be issued an older model Chromebook device

Why are you charging an insurance fee?

This provides protection for students in case of non-intentional damage to the Chromebook. This insurance protection covers any type of malfunction, including:

• Hardware

• Accidental Damage

• Cracked Screen

The funds collected from the insurance go towards the repair and replacement of the devices and other tools necessary to manage the Chromebook initiative, including but not limited to loss prevention, warranties, fleet management, tools, and applications. 

Does the insurance fee cover a damaged/lost charging cord or stylus?

No. Insurance will not cover charging cords and stylus. 

What if I don't pay the insurance fee?

Your student will not be able to take their school-issued device home.  The student will be responsible for damage to the checked out device as stated in the Student Code of Conduct and Acceptable Use Policy.  Any intentional damage done to the device under the student care can result in repair fees.

Who can my student contact for technical support?

If your students needs technical support, we first encourage to check out Google's Fix Chromebook Problems.  Student can receive additional support through their campus technician. 

Where can does my student drop-off their Chromebook if it is in need of repair?

Elementary students will hand their device to their classroom teacher and secondary students will drop off their device at their campus library.  The campus technician will either repair it or send it out to get repairs.  If the device needs to be sent out for repairs, the student will be issued an alternative device to use for learning.  Depending on the condition and type of device, students may be issued the alternative device or have their originally issued device returned to them once the repair is completed. 

What happens if the Chromebook is damaged?

If the Chromebook has received non-intentional damage or experiences manufacturing defects, then the initial repair is covered under the insurance fee.  Intentional damage to the Chromebook could result in additional repair fees. 

What happens if the Chromebook is intentionally damaged?

If the Chromebook is intentionally damaged, it is the financial responsibility of the student and parent/guardian to replace the Chromebook or pay for the cost of repair.  Determination of whether the Chromebook is intentionally damaged is at the discretion of the campus administration.

What happens if the Chromebook is lost?

The student or parent/guardian will have to notify the campus if their device is lost.  The student will be required to pay for the costs of the lost device unless it is returned.   Students will have the ability to check out another device (if available) to use for learning and the newly assigned device must remain on campus. If the lost device is found and returned to the campus or district, the student will be refunded for the cost of the lost device.  If the student was issued a temporary device to use on campus, they can return the temporary device back to the campus.  

What happens if the Chromebook is stolen or vandalized?

Parents/Guardians must file a police report if a Chromebook is stolen or vandalized, then notify the campus with a copy of the police report.  Once a copy of the police report is given to the campus administration, students will be able to check out another device to use.  If the stolen device is recovered, repairs will be made if necessary and the device will be returned to be re-issued to the student.

What if another student damages my student device?

An investigation will be led by the campus administration to determine the cause of the damage and if other disciplinary actions need to be addressed will be handled on a case-by-case basis.  

What if my student loses their power cord?

The insurance fee covers does not cover the cost of a lost cord. Families can either purchase a power cord through Allen ISD, or purchase their own from a retailer. The power supply needed for a Chromebook is a 65W type USB-C. Below are a few options of retailers of where you can find replacement cords:

Lenovo - order charger here

Amazon - order charger here 

Target - order charger here 

Walmart - order charger here

We are transferring out of the district, what do I do with the device assigned by the district?

Students unenrolling from the district will turn in their device back to the campus prior to leaving alongside any additional district/campus assigned items.  Parents/guardians will be charged the full cost of the device if the device is not returned to Allen ISD prior when unenrolling from the district. The district reserves the right to file a police report if devices are not returned upon unenrollment. 

My student is transferring to another campus in Allen ISD, what do we do with the device?

Students in grades 2-8 will turn in their device to the campus technician before transferring and will receive a Chromebook from the campus technician at their new campus. 

What level of security on the Chromebook when it is at school?

While on campus, Chromebooks connect to a secure, district-managed network. VPNs are blocked and not permitted, in accordance with our Acceptable Use Policy.

Allen ISD uses multiple layers of security, including firewalls and Content Keeper, which filters web content based on the student’s account. Because Content Keeper is tied to the student login, it continues to filter content even when the Chromebook is used at home. This system blocks access to websites like Reddit and other platforms that are not considered appropriate for educational use. Filtering rules are based on student age and grade level, and SafeSearch is also enforced for added protection.

In addition, GoGuardian is used as a classroom management and monitoring tool. During school hours and while on campus, teachers can view and manage student activity on their Chromebooks in real time. These monitoring features are only active during the school day and do not extend to use outside of school hours or off-campus.

What level of security on the device is available when my student takes home their district-issued Chromebook?

The same level of security is on the device on campus as it is at home.  As best practice, we always encourage families not to use guest/open networks that don’t require credentials to log in as those can be not secure.

How can I manage my student's activity on the Chromebook?

Family Link is a service provided by Google that allows families to better track and monitor student use of their Chromebook.  Families can set screen time limits, bedtimes, and other parental controls.  To learn more about how to set up Family Link with your student's school account, click here.

Allen ISD provides access to GoGuardian Parent, a mobile app to help keep parents/guardians with additional controls during out-of-school hours. GoGuardian Parent is a companion to the classroom management and internet filtering tools that your child's school uses for devices issued to students. Through the use of this app, we hope to encourage more open and honest conversations between parents and children that will result in safer practices and responsible browsing habits. More information about GoGuardian Parent and setting up with your student's school account can be found on AISD Empower 1:1 site.