Internet Safety

Montgomery County Public Schools   (MCPS) runs a private network for students, teachers, and staff with a secure connection to the Internet.  Network security is maintained through the combined use of an Internet filtering proxy server, a firewall, staff guidelines and a student acceptable use policy.  The following information demonstrates that Montgomery County Public Schools is in compliance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) and 22.1‑70.2 of the Code of Virginia.

 The MCPS's firewall was installed in December of 1998.  The firewall prevents unauthorized intrusion and access to school system resources by producing a physical barrier between the MCPS private network and the Internet.  The firewall also serves to authenticate outbound traffic from the MCPS private network to ensure that it is both appropriate traffic and has passed through the filtering proxy server.

 The Internet filtering proxy server was deployed in October of 1997.This filter prevents access to harmful and illegal materials by users of the MCPS network.  The server is updated dynamically by the product provider to ensure that it continues to stay current on materials that must be blocked to protect minors.  The filtering software package enables the staff of MCPS to track and monitor online student activities.  The software also filters and controls student access of electronic mail, chat rooms, newsgroups and other potentially harmful forms of electronic communication.

 Staff Guidelines for the use of Instructional Technology were adopted in public session by the MCPS School Board in June of 1998.  These guidelines establish procedures that protect the MCPS faculty and staff from harmful materials and practices that may result from the use of technology in the work place.

 The MCPS School Board in open session first adopted an Acceptable Use Policy in October of 1994.  The Board has since publicly acted to revise its Acceptable Use Policy in June of 1998 and June of 2001.  The MCPS Acceptable Use Policy covers topics on student use of technology that include:

 v                  Accessing of obscene or inappropriate materials.

v                  Student use of obscenity or profanity on a computer or network.

v                  Restrictions on students regarding the dissemination of personal information.

v                  Unlawful student activities and conduct on the Internet.

 As of February of 2000 the MCPS Acceptable Use Policy also includes a section on student electronic mail.  Student violations of the Acceptable Use Policy are subject to discipline procedures under the MCPS student code of conduct.  The full version of the MCPS Acceptable Use Policy can be found at http://www.mcps.org/admin/stuserv/k-5.pdf or http://www.mcps.org/admin/stuserv/6-12.pdf .