DAR File No. 43531

Education, Administration

Rule R277-495

Required Policies for Electronic Devices in Public Schools

Notice of Proposed Rule

(Amendment)

DAR File No.: 43531
Filed: 02/15/2019 01:35:58 PM

RULE ANALYSIS

Purpose of the rule or reason for the change:

The reason for these amendments is to update and modernize the requirements for local education agencies (LEAs) electronic device use policies regarding both LEA-provided devices and personally owned devices.

Summary of the rule or change:

These rule amendments update definitions of an electronic device, require an LEA establish policies of appropriate uses and restrict uses of an electronic device under certain circumstances, modify required elements of a policy, require LEAs to ensure each school within the LEA provides training to staff and students regarding the electronic device use policy, and require LEAs to provide parental notice regarding the location of information regarding home network filtration services.

Statutory or constitutional authorization for this rule:

• Article X Section 3
• Subsection 53G-8-202(2)(c)(i)
• 47 CFR Part 54
• Subsection 53E-3-401(4)

Anticipated cost or savings to:

the state budget:

These rule changes are not expected to have any fiscal impact on state government revenues or expenditures because these rule requirements already exist in rule. Changes to required policies for electronic devices in schools are updated and clarified.

local governments:

These rule changes are not expected to have any material impact on local governments' revenues or expenditures because these rule requirements already exist in rule. Changes to required policies for electronic devices in schools was updated and clarified. This rule requires notification to parents and certification in the annual assurances document, but these are tasks that are performed once a year electronically.

small businesses:

These rule changes are not expected to have any material fiscal impact on small businesses' revenues or expenditures because these rule requirements already exist in rule. Changes to required policies for electronic devices in schools are updated and clarified.

persons other than small businesses, businesses, or local governmental entities:

These rule change are not expected to have any material fiscal impact on persons other than small businesses, businesses, or local government entities revenues or expenditures because these rule requirements already exist in rule. Changes to required policies for electronic devices in schools are updated and clarified.

Compliance costs for affected persons:

There are no compliance costs for affected persons.

Comments by the department head on the fiscal impact the rule may have on businesses:

There are 1,241 entities with a NAICS code 611110 (Elementary and Secondary Schools) operating in Utah according to a "Firm Find Data" search through Utah's Department of Workforce Services. Most of the entities in the list are schools including public schools, charter schools, and private schools. Of the 1,241 entities, there are 15 private businesses, all of which are small businesses (there are no non-small businesses with a NAICS code 611110). These rule changes have no fiscal impact on local education agencies and will not have a fiscal impact on non-small or small businesses. The Assistant Superintendent of Financial Operations at the Utah State Board of Education, Natalie Grange, has reviewed and approved this fiscal analysis.

Sydnee Dickson, State Superintendent

The full text of this rule may be inspected, during regular business hours, at the Office of Administrative Rules, or at:

Education
Administration
250 E 500 S
SALT LAKE CITY, UT 84111-3272

Direct questions regarding this rule to:

• Angela Stallings at the above address, by phone at 801-538-7550, by FAX at 801-538-7768, or by Internet E-mail at [email protected]

Interested persons may present their views on this rule by submitting written comments to the address above no later than 5:00 p.m. on:

04/01/2019

This rule may become effective on:

04/08/2019

Authorized by:

Angela Stallings, Deputy Superintendent of Policy

Appendix 1: Regulatory Impact Summary Table*

Fiscal Costs	FY 2019	FY 2020	FY 2021
State Government	$0	$0	$0
Local Government	$0	$0	$0
Small Businesses	$0	$0	$0
Non-Small Businesses	$0	$0	$0
Other Person	$0	$0	$0
Total Fiscal Costs:	$0	$0	$0
Fiscal Benefits
State Government	$0	$0	$0
Local Government	$0	$0	$0
Small Businesses	$0	$0	$0
Non-Small Businesses	$0	$0	$0
Other Persons	$0	$0	$0
Total Fiscal Benefits:	$0	$0	$0
Net Fiscal Benefits:	$0	$0	$0

 

*This table only includes fiscal impacts that could be measured. If there are inestimable fiscal impacts, they will not be included in this table. Inestimable impacts for State Government, Local Government, Small Businesses and Other Persons are described in the narrative. Inestimable impacts for Non - Small Businesses are described in Appendix 2.

 

Appendix 2: Regulatory Impact to Non - Small Businesses

There are 1,241 entities with a NAICS code 611110 (Elementary and Secondary Schools) operating in Utah according to a "Firm Find Data" search through Utah's Department of Workforce Services. Most of the entities in the list are schools including public schools, charter schools, and private schools. Of the 1,241 entities, there are 15 private businesses, all of which are small businesses (there are no non-small businesses with a NAICS code 611110). These rule changes have no fiscal impact on local education agencies and will not have a fiscal impact on non-small or small businesses.

 

The Assistant Superintendent of Financial Operations at the Utah State Board of Education, Natalie Grange, has reviewed and approved this fiscal analysis.

 

 

R277. Education, Administration.

[R277-495. Required Policies for Electronic Devices in Public Schools.

R277-495-1. Definitions.

A. "Board" means the Utah State Board of Education.

B. "Electronic device" means a device that is used for audio, video, or text communication or any other type of computer or computer-like instrument.

C. "LEA" means a local education agency, including local school boards/public school districts, charter schools, and, for purposes of this rule, the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind.

D. "LEA-owned electronic device" means any device that is used for audio, video, text communication or any other type of computer or computer-like instrument that is owned, provided, issued or lent by the LEA to a student or employee.

E. "Privately-owned electronic device" means any device that is used for audio, video, text communication or any other type of computer or computer-like instrument that is not owned or issued by the LEA to a student or employee.

F. "Public school" means all schools and public school programs, grades kindergarten through 12, that are part of the Utah Public School system, including charter schools, distance learning programs, and alternative programs.

G. "Student," for purposes of this rule, means any individual enrolled as a student at the LEA regardless of the part-time nature of the enrollment or the age of the individual.

H. "The Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA)" means regulations enacted by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and administrated by the Schools and Libraries Division of the FCC. CIPA and companion laws, the Neighborhood Children's Internet Protection Act (NCIPA) and the Protecting Children in the 21st Century Act, require recipients of federal technology funds to comply with certain Internet filtering and policy requirements.

I. "USOE" means the Utah State Office of Education.

J. "Utah Education Network (UEN)" is a robust network that connects most Utah LEAs, schools, and higher education institutions to quality educational resources and services consistent with Section 53B-17-102.

 

R277-495-2. Authority and Purpose.

A. This rule is authorized by Utah Constitution Article X, Section 3 which vests general control and supervision of public education in the Board, by Subsection 53E-3-401(4) which allows the Board to adopt rules in accordance with its responsibilities, and Subsection 53G-8-202(2)(c)(i) directs the State Superintendent of Public Instruction to develop a conduct and discipline policy model for elementary and secondary public schools, and 47 CFR, Part 54, Children's Internet Protection Act, which requires schools and libraries that have computers with Internet access to certify they have Internet safety policies and technology protection measures in place in order to receive discounted internet access and services.

B. The purpose of this rule is to direct all LEAs or public schools to adopt policies, individually or collectively as school districts or consortia of charter schools, governing the possession and use of electronic devices, both LEA-owned and privately-owned, while on public school premises and, for LEA-owned devices, wherever the devices are used.

 

R277-495-3. Local Board and Charter School Responsibilities.

A. LEAs shall require all schools under their supervision to have a policy or policies for students, employees and, where appropriate, for invitees, governing the use of electronic devices on school premises and at school sponsored activities.

B. LEAs shall review and approve policies regularly.

C. LEAs shall encourage schools to involve teachers, parents, students, school employees and community members in developing local policies; school community councils could provide helpful information and guidance within various school communities and neighborhoods.

D. LEAs shall provide copies of their policies or clear electronic links to policies at LEA offices, in schools and on the LEA website.

E. LEAs and schools within LEAs shall work together to ensure that all policies within a school or school district are consistent and understandable for parents.

F. LEAs shall provide reasonable public notice and at least one public hearing or meeting to address a proposed or revised Internet safety policy. LEAs shall retain documentation of the policy review and adoption actions.

 

R277-495-4. Policy Requirements.

A. Local policies shall address the following minimum components:

(1) definitions of devices covered by policy;

(2) prohibitions on the use of electronic devices in ways that bully, humiliate, harass, or intimidate school-related individuals, including students, employees, and invitees, consistent with R277-609 and R277-613, or violate local, state, or federal laws; and

(3) the prohibition of access by students, LEA employees and invitees to inappropriate matter on the Internet and World Wide Web while using LEA equipment, services or connectivity whether on school property or while using school-owned or issued devices;

(4) the safety and security of students when using electronic mail, chat rooms, and other forms of direct electronic communications (including instant messaging);

(5) unauthorized access, including hacking and other unlawful activities by LEA electronic device users; and

(6) unauthorized disclosure, use and dissemination of personal student information under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, 34 CFR, Part 99.

B. Additional requirements for student policies - In addition to the provisions of R277-495-4A, policies for student use of electronic devices shall include:

(1) prohibitions against use of electronic devices during standardized assessments unless specifically allowed by statute, regulation, student IEP, or assessment directions;

(2) provisions that inform students that there may be administrative and criminal penalties for misuse of electronic devices and that local law enforcement officers may be notified if school employees believe that a student has misused an electronic device in violation of the law;

(3) provisions that inform students that violation of LEA acceptable use policies may result in confiscation of LEA-owned devices which may result in missed assignments, inability to participate in required assessments and possible loss of credit or academic grade consequences;

(4) provisions that inform students that they are personally responsible for devices assigned or provided to them by the LEA, both for loss or damage of devices and use of devices consistent with LEA directives;

(5) provisions that inform students and parents that use of electronic devices in violation of LEA or teacher instructional policies may result in the confiscation of personal devices for a designated period; and

(6) provisions that inform students that use of privately-owned electronic devices to bully or harass other students or employees and result in disruption at school or school-sponsored activities may justify administrative penalties, including expulsion from school and notification to law enforcement.

C. Additional requirements for employee policies - In addition to the provisions of R277-495-4A, policies for employee use of electronic devices shall include:

(1) notice that use of electronic devices to access inappropriate or pornographic images on school premises is illegal, may have both criminal and employment consequences, and where appropriate, shall be reported to law enforcement;

(2) notice that employees are responsible for LEA-issued devices at all times and misuse of devices may have employment consequences, regardless of the user; and

(3) notice that employees may use privately-owned electronic devices on school premises or at school sponsored activities when the employee has supervisory duties only as directed by the employing LEA; and

(4) required staff responsibilities in educating minors on appropriate online activities and in supervising such activities.

D. Local policies may also include the following:

(1) prohibitions or restrictions on unauthorized audio recordings, capture of images, transmissions of recordings or images, or invasions of reasonable expectations of student and employee privacy;

(2) procedures to report the misuse of electronic devices;

(3) potential disciplinary actions toward students or employees or both for violation of local policies regarding the use of electronic devices;

(4) exceptions to the policy for special circumstances, health-related reasons and emergencies, if any; and

(5) strategies for use of technology that enhance instruction.

E. An LEA shall certify annually to the USOE and as required by the FCC, that the LEA has a CIPA-compliant Internet safety policy.

 

R277-495-5. Board and USOE Responsibilities.

A. The Board and USOE shall provide resources, upon request, for LEAs and public schools as they develop and update electronic device policies, including sources for successful policies, assistance with reviewing draft policies and amendments, and information about bullying, harassing, and discrimination via electronic devices consistent with R277-613.

B. The Board and USOE shall develop or provide a model policy or a policy framework to assist LEAs and public schools in developing and implementing their policies.

C. The Board and USOE shall promote the use of effective strategies to enhance instruction and professional development through technology.

D. The Board and USOE shall ensure that parents and school employees are involved in the development and implementation of policies.

E. The Board and USOE shall work and cooperate with other education entities, such as the PTA, the Utah School Boards Association, the Utah Education Association, the State Charter School Board and the Utah High School Activities Association to provide consistent information to parents and community members about electronic device policies and to provide for appropriate and consistent penalties for violation of policies, including violations that take place at public school extracurricular and athletic events.]

R277-495. Electronic Devices in Public Schools.

R277-495-1. Authority and Purpose.

(1) This rule is authorized by:

(a) Utah Constitution Article X, Section 3, which vests general control and supervision over public education in the Board;

(b) Subsection 53E-3-401(4), which allows the Board to make rules to execute the Board's duties and responsibilities under the Utah Constitution and state law;

(c) Subsection 53G-8-202(2)(c)(i), which directs the Superintendent to develop a conduct and discipline policy model for elementary and secondary public schools; and

(d) 47 CFR, Part 54, Children's Internet Protection Act, which requires schools and libraries that have computers with internet access to certify they have internet safety policies and technology protection measures in place to receive discounted internet access and services.

(2) The purpose of this rule is to direct all LEAs and public schools to adopt policies, individually or collectively as school districts or consortia of charter schools, governing the possession and use of electronic devices including:

(a) both LEA-owned and privately-owned, while on public school premises or during participation in school activities; and

(b) for LEA-owned devices, wherever the LEA-owned devices are used.

 

R277-495-2. Definitions.

(1) "Acceptable use policy" means a document stipulating constraints and practices that a user shall accept prior to a user accessing an LEA's, or any school within an LEA's, network or the Internet.

(2) "Electronic device" means a device that is used for audio, video, or text communication or any other type of computer or computer-like instrument including:

(a) a smart phone;

(b) a smart or electronic watch;

(c) a tablet; or

(d) a virtual reality device.

(3) "Guest" means an individual:

(a) who is not a student, employee, or designated volunteer of a public school; and

(b) who is on school property or at the site of a school-sponsored activity or event.

(4) "Inappropriate matter" means pornographic or indecent material as defined in Subsection 76-10-1253(1)(a).

(5) "LEA" includes for purposes of this rule, the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind.

(6) "LEA-owned electronic device" means a device that is used for audio, video, text communication, or other type of computer or computer-like instrument that is identified as being owned, provided, issued or lent by the LEA to a student or employee.

(7) "Policy" means an electronic device use policy as required by this rule that contains:

(a) permissible uses of an electronic device under certain circumstances; or

(b) restricted uses of an electronic devices under certain circumstances.

(8) "Privately-owned electronic device" means a device, including an electronic device that is used for audio, video, text communication, or other type of computer or computer-like instrument that is not owned or issued by the LEA to a student, or employee.

(9) "Public school" means a school or public school program, grades kindergarten through 12, that is part of the Utah public school system, including a school with a distance learning program or alternative program.

(10) "Student," for purposes of this rule, means an individual enrolled as a student at an LEA regardless of the part-time nature of the enrollment or the age of the individual.

(11)(a) "The Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA)" means federal regulations enacted by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and administrated by the Schools and Libraries Division of the FCC.

(b) CIPA and companion laws, the Neighborhood Children's Internet Protection Act (NCIPA) and the Protecting Children in the 21st Century Act, require recipients of federal technology funds to comply with certain Internet filtering and policy requirements.

(12) "Utah Education Telehealth Network or UETN" means the Utah Education and Telehealth Network created in Section 53B-17-105.

 

R277-495-3. Requirement of Electronic Device Use Policy, Creation, and Access.

(1) An LEA shall require all schools under the LEA's supervision to have a policy or policies for students, employees and, where appropriate, for guests, governing the use of electronic devices on school premises and at school sponsored activities.

(2) An LEA shall review and approve policies regularly.

(3) An LEA shall encourage schools to involve teachers, parents, students, school employees, school community councils, and community members in developing the local policies.

(4) An LEA shall provide copies of the LEA's policies or clear electronic links to policies at LEA offices, in schools and on the LEA's website in the same location as the LEA's data governance plan required in R277-487.

(5) An LEA and all schools within the LEA shall cooperate to ensure that all policies within a school or school district are consistent and accessible to parents and community members.

(6) An LEA shall provide reasonable public notice and at least one public hearing or meeting to address a proposed or revised acceptable use policy.

(7) An LEA shall retain documentation of the policy review and adoption actions.

 

R277-495-4. LEA Electronic Device Policy Requirements.

(1) An LEA's policy shall include at least the following:

(a) definitions of electronic devices covered by policy;

(b) prohibitions on the use of electronic devices in ways that:

(i) bully, humiliate, harass, or intimidate school-related individuals, including students, employees, and guests, consistent with R277-609 and R277-613; or

(ii) violate local, state, or federal laws;

(c) the prohibition of access by students, LEA employees and guests to inappropriate matter on the internet and world wide web while using LEA equipment, services, or connectivity whether on or off school property;

(e) directives on the safety and security of students when using social media and other forms of electronic communications;

(f) directives on unauthorized access, including hacking and other unlawful activities by a user of an LEA electronic device; and

(g) directives on unauthorized disclosure, use and dissemination of personal student information under R277-487 and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)34 CFR, Part 99.

(2) In addition to the requirements of Subsection (1), an LEA's policies for student use of electronic devices shall include directives regarding the following:

(a) the use of privately-owned electronic devices during standardized assessments;

(b) administrative penalties for misuse of electronic devices during school hours or at a school-sponsored;

(c) violations of an LEA's acceptable use policies that may result in confiscation of LEA-owned electronic devices or restricted access on the LEA's;

(d) a student's personal responsibility for devices assigned or provided to a student by the LEA, both for loss or damage of electronic devices and use of electronic devices consistent with the LEA's directives;

(e) use of electronic devices in violation of an LEA's or teacher's instructional policies may result in the confiscation of privately-owned electronic devices for a designated period; and

(f) uses of privately-owned electronic devices to bully or harass other students or employees during school hours or at school-sponsored activities that may result in the student being subject to LEA disciplinary action.

(3) In addition to the provisions of Subsections (1) and (2), directives for employee use of electronic devices shall include:

(a) notice that use of electronic devices to access inappropriate matter on LEA-owned electronic devices or privately-owned electronic devices on school property, at school-sponsored events or using school connectivity may have criminal, employment or student disciplinary consequences, and if appropriate, may be reported to law enforcement;

(b) notice that an employee is responsible for LEA-issued electronic devices at all times and misuse of an electronic device may have employment consequences, regardless of the user; and

(c) required staff responsibilities in educating minors on appropriate online activities, as required by Section 53G-7-1202, and in supervising such activities.

(4) An LEA's policies shall also include the following:

(a) prohibitions or restrictions on unauthorized use that would cause invasions of reasonable expectations of student and employee privacy;

(b) procedures to report the misuse of electronic devices; and

(c) potential disciplinary actions toward students or employees for violation of local policies regarding the use of electronic devices; and

(d) exceptions to the policy for special circumstances, health-related reasons and emergencies, if any.

(5) An LEA shall certify annually through UETN, and as required by the FCC, that the LEA has a CIPA-compliant acceptable use policy.

 

R277-495-5. Required School Level Training.

(1) A school shall provide, within the first 45 days of each school year, a school-wide or in-classroom training to employees and students that covers:

(a) the contents of the school's policy;

(b) the importance of digital citizenship;

(c) the LEA's conduct and discipline related consequences as related to a violation of the school's policy;

(d) the LEA's general conduct and discipline policies as described in Section 53G-8-202; and

(e) the benefits of connecting to the Internet and utilizing the school's Internet filters, while on school premises.

(2) A school that adopts a permissible use policy shall:

(a) within the first 45 days of each school-year, provide school-wide or in-classroom training to employees and students that covers:

(i) the elements described in Subsections (1)(a) through (e); and

(ii) specific rules governing the permissible and restricted uses of personal electronic devices while in a classroom; and

(b) require that each educator who allows the use of a personal electronic device in the classroom clearly communicates to parents and students the conditions under which the use of a personal electronic device is allowed.

 

R277-495-6. Resources and Required Assurances.

(1) The Superintendent may provide resources, upon request, for an LEA regarding electronic device policies, including:

(a) sample acceptable use policies;

(b) general best practices for electronic device use as outlined in R277-922; and

(c) materials for digital citizenship as outlined in Section 53G-7-1202.

(2) An LEA shall post the LEA's electronic device use policy on the LEA's website and provide a link to the Board through the annual assurances document described in R277-108.

 

R277-495-7. LEA Requirement to Notify Parents of Filtering Options.

An LEA shall provide an annual notice to all parents of the location of information for in-home network filtering options as provided for in Section 76-10-1231.

 

KEY: electronic devices, policy

Date of Enactment or Last Substantive Amendment: [April 7, 2014]2019

Notice of Continuation: December 7, 2018

Authorizing, and Implemented, or Interpreted Law: Art X Sec 3; 53E-3-401(4); 53G-8-202(2)(c)(i)