The Superintendent or designee shall establish a Bring Your Own Technology (BYOT) Program. The program will:
1. Promote educational excellence by facilitating resource sharing, innovation, and communication to enhance (a) technology use skills; (b) web-literacy and critical thinking skills about Internet resources and materials, including making wise choices; and (c) habits for responsible digital citizenship required in the 21st century.
2. Provide sufficient wireless infrastructure within budget parameters.
3. Provide access to the Internet only through the District’s electronic networks.
4. Identify approved BYOT devices and what District-owned technology devices may be available; e.g., laptops, tablet devices, E-readers, and/or smartphones.
5. Align with Board policies 4:140, Waiver of Student Fees; 5:120, Employee Ethics; Conduct; and Conflict of Interest; 5:125, Personal Technology and Social Media; Usage and Conduct; 5:170, Copyright; 6:120, Education of Children with Disabilities; 6:235, Access to Electronic Networks; 7:140, Search and Seizure; 7:180, Prevention of and Response to Bullying, Intimidation, and Harassment; 7:190, Student Behavior; 7:340, Student Records; and 7:345, Use of Educational Technologies; Student Data Privacy and Security.
6. Provide relevant staff members with BYOT professional development opportunities, including the provision of:
a. Classroom management information about issues associated with the program, e.g., technical support, responsible use, etc.;
b. A copy of or access to this policy and any building-specific rules for the program;
c. Additional training, if necessary, about 5:170, Copyright; and
d. Information concerning appropriate behavior of staff members as required by State law and policy 5:120, Employee Ethics; Conduct; and Conflict of Interest.
7. Provide a method to inform parents/guardians and students about this policy.
8. Include the program in the annual report to the Board as required under policy 6:10, Education Philosophy and Objectives.
The District reserves the right to discontinue its BYOT program at any time. The District does not provide liability protection for BYOT devices, and it is not responsible for any damages to them.
Responsible Use
The District recognizes students participating in the program as responsible young adults and holds high expectations of their conduct in connection with their participation in the program. Teachers may encourage students to bring their own devices as supplemental in-class materials when: (a) using the devices will appropriately enhance, or otherwise illustrate, the subjects being taught; (b) the Building Principal has approved their use and found that their use is age-appropriate; and (c) the student’s parent/guardian has signed the Bring Your Own Technology (BYOT) Program Participation Authorization and Responsible Use Agreement Form. A student’s right to privacy in his or her device is limited; any reasonable suspicion of activities that violate law or Board policies will be treated according to policy 7:140, Search and Seizure.
Responsible use in the program incorporates into this policy the individual’s Acceptable Use of Electronic Networks agreement pursuant to policy 6:235, Access to Electronic Networks. Responsible use also incorporates the established usage and conduct rules in policy 5:125, Personal Technology and Social Media; Usage and Conduct, for staff and 7:190, Student Behavior, for students. Failure to follow these rules and the specific BYOT program student guidelines may result in: (a) the loss of access to the District’s electronic network and/or student’s BYOT privileges; (b) disciplinary action pursuant to 7:190, Student Behavior; 7:200, Suspension Procedures; or 7:210, Expulsion Procedures; and/or (c) appropriate legal action, including referrals of suspected or alleged criminal acts to appropriate law enforcement agencies.
LEGAL REF.: 15 U.S.C. §§6501-6508, Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, implemented by 16 C.F.R. Part 312, Children’s Online Privacy Protection Rule.
20 U.S.C §6751 et seq., Enhancing Education Through Technology Act.
47 U.S.C. §254(h) and (l), Children’s Internet Protection Act.
47 C.F.R. Part 54, Subpart F, Universal Service Support for Schools and Libraries.
105 ILCS 5/10-20.28.
CROSS REF.: 1:30 (School District Philosophy), 4:140 (Waiver of Student Fees), 5:120 (Employee Ethics; Conduct; and Conflict of Interest), 5:125 (Personal Technology and Social Media; Usage and Conduct), 5:170 (Copyright), 6:10 (Educational Philosophy and Objectives), 6:40 (Curriculum Development), 6:120 (Education of Children with Disabilities), 6:210 (Instructional Materials), 6:235 (Access to Electronic Networks), 7:140 (Search and Seizure), 7:180 (Prevention of and Response to Bullying, Intimidation, and Harassment), 7:190 (Student Behavior), 7:340 (Student Records)
Updated: January 2022