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High School Student Laptop Policy

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cschw:
Our local high school is giving all students a free!! laptop for the coming school year.

I attended tonight's mandatory "orientation session" for parents and students, where the speaker said that:

* all students would be required to have a laptop computer for the upcoming school year,
* only school-provided equipment will be allowed in the classroom,
* no modifications to the operating system (Windows)--or installed programs (e.g. MS Office 365, etc.)--are allowed,
* Sophos anti-virus and monitoring/logging software will be installed and are not to be tampered with,
* insurance is recommended ($50 per student per year) to avoid being liable for the $810 replacement cost if the equipment is damaged, and
* repairs are ONLY to be performed by the school district's IT staff.
"That's it.  Thanks.  Drop off your paperwork on the way out...including the one-pager saying that you understand and agree to all the terms and conditions in the 'Student Laptop Computer Handbook'."

The frustrating bit:  No discussion and no Q&A.   :huh:

The completely unacceptable bit:  The Privacy Policy (shown below in its entirety, taken directly from the Student Laptop Computer Handbook)

No Expectation of Privacy
Students have no expectation of confidentiality or privacy with respect to any usage of a laptop computer, regardless of whether that use is for district-related or personal purposes, other than as specifically provided by law.  The school district may, without prior notice or consent, log, supervise, access, view, monitor, and record use of student laptop computers at any time for any reason related to the operation of the school district.  By using a laptop computer, students agree to such access, monitoring, and recording of their use.
--- End quote ---

In light of the Lower Merion School District spying scandal from a couple of years ago, I was expecting something a little more protective of the privacy of our children.  :mad:

I'll conclude with a little irony (also from the Student Laptop Computer Handbook):  The goal remains to promote self-directed, life-long learners.
--- End quote ---

Renegade:
Stuff like that makes me see red and brings out the raging contrarian in me.

I would rather buy a laptop for my daughter than use the school-supplied spybot. I most certainly wouldn't sign any paperwork. (Or not without significant photoshopping...)

My gut reaction to "you will do this" is invariably "NO. I. WILL. NOT!"

The privacy policy is simply too far out there.

The irony you point out is even more maddening. I think they meant:

The goal remains to promotemanufacture selfstate-directed, life-long learnersslaves.
--- End quote ---


But, I'm also against mandatory state-sponsored indoctrination centers. Nothing against education. Nothing against learning. Everything against being forced a the barrel of a gun. Good ideas don't require force.



But you'd at least think that they'd have the common decency to use a Linux distro and something like Libre Office instead of proprietary software. Nope.

I wonder who was behind getting those computers purchased for the school district... hmm...

40hz:
@cschw - Yet another example of school administrators stepping outside their designated role and acting in blatant excess of their legislated authority.

I doubt that policy (as presently written) would survive a creditable legal challenge. (That threat suggestion to get the laptop insured should, by itself, be ripe for Watergating.) There's just so many things wrong with the policy and the mindset behind it that I'd hardly know where to start if I were an attorney. Maybe you could contact the people at TechDirt and Popehat with your story. (TechDirt especially loves stories like that.) It's amazing how often simply turning the spotlight of publicity on school boards is enough to send the bureaucratic cockroaches scurrying.

However, since few government employees are as timid and litigation-fearing as most school administrators, I'd be inclined to try calling them up first and 'ask' for (i.e. politely demand) a meeting. Mention you have some very deep concerns. Imply you've spoken to a few interested parties along with some outside advisors. At the meeting, suggest the consensus is that the school system does not have the legal authority to unilaterally institute such a policy or requirement. And then ask WHO wrote the policy - and how can you get in touch with Sir/Madam/Fido to discuss it further.

Don't be too surprised, however, if they accuse you of 'threatening' behavior because you had the temerity to question them. And to cobble together an ill-conceived and hasty little character assassination program to deal with you "troublemakers." Or possibly to just stonewall.That's the knee-jerk reaction of petty authority whenever it's challenged lately. So best to have a few people present when you call or go to meet them. Just to keep "the story" of what happened straight later on. (Because they'll never consent to your taping your conversation with them.)

Luck!

Renegade:
YES! TECHDIRT!

I love that suggestion!  :Thmbsup:

Don't be too surprised, however, if they accuse you of 'threatening' behavior because you had the temerity to question them. And to cobble together an ill-conceived and hasty little character assassination program to deal with you "troublemakers." Or possibly to just stonewall.That's the knee-jerk reaction of petty authority whenever it's challenged lately. So best to have a few people present when you call or go to meet them. Just to keep "the story" of what happened straight later on. (Because they'll never consent to your taping your conversation with them.)
-40hz (August 20, 2014, 12:45 AM)
--- End quote ---

Or a mobile phone set to record audio? (Need to CYA there for 2-party jurisdictions.)

app103:
I expect any laptop provided by a school to come with the same privacy rights as the computer use in the classroom...pretty much none, with full logging and monitoring of everything the computer is used for.

Therefore, my instructions to my child, concerning the use of that laptop would be to use it as little as possible and only for school related things, and assume the privacy is equal to having their teacher standing over their shoulder watching everything they do, including watching what keys they type in as passwords on websites.

And as a precaution, when you are not using that school provided laptop, you will place it inside this box, to prevent eavesdropping on your private life (via microphone & webcam) when the laptop is not in use.

Furthermore, if you want to do anything that could be considered personal use, even something as trivial as looking up local weather info before heading off to school, you are to use your regular computer that was not provided by the school. (You know, that one provided by your parents, for such purposes.)

In fact, you may use that computer for your school work, as well, if it is allowed by your teacher, keeping that school provided laptop stored in that box the entire time that you are at home.

 ;)

Children are never too young to learn good computing habits, including good security and privacy protection habits. If they are old enough to understand how to start a web browser, type in a URL, and log in to a website, they are old enough to learn this stuff. I don't believe in keeping kids naively innocent and turning them loose among wolves, completely unprepared.

I would also contact the state school board in writing via Certified Mail, return receipt requested (cc: local school board, principal of child's school, president of PTA, child's teacher, local Congressmen, editor of local newspaper, TV news reporters, etc.) and ask them what their provisions are for covering the costs of the insurance on this unwanted, costly laptop, that the responsibility for it is being forced upon you, considering that every child is entitled to a free public education, and free doesn't mean $50 for insurance, nor does it mean accepting responsibility for a costly piece of equipment that could make your child the target of a robbery on the way to/from school.

I would also ask about what additional security provisions they planned to provide for my child, from home doorstep to school doorstep, to ensure their safety while traveling to/from school, to prevent them from becoming a victim of violence, due to having to transport this unwanted, expensive laptop. And if anything were to happen to your child as a result of having this laptop in their possession, who exactly is going to take full responsibility for it. (it, referring to any injury to the child, not the laptop)

 8)

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