HTA Parent-Student Computer Use Policy

Permitted Use

• HTA shall permit the student and the Learning Coach to use the equipment and materials of HTA solely for the education of the student while enrolled at HTA and for no other purpose.
• Students and the Learning Coach are only permitted to visit websites for the purpose of HTA related educational research.

Prohibited Use

Users shall not use the equipment, software, Elluminate classrooms and other materials of HTA to view, download, save, receive or send material related to or including any of the following:

• Illegal activities
• Offensive content of any kind, including pornographic material
• Content that promotes discrimination on the basis of race, gender, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, religion or disability
• Threatening or violent behavior
• Gambling or wagering
• Commercial messages.
• Religious, political or racial messages
• Messages that misrepresent yourself
• Download of any software on the HTA computer
• Websites or chat rooms that are not for the purpose of HTA related education

Software programs may not be installed on the computer without written permission from the HTA Technology Manager. The Technology Manager can be contacted through the HTA office. Only software that is required by HTA will be allowed on the HTA computer. All other software will be prohibited. Software that was originally provided with the computer may be updated without permission.

This would include programs but is not limited to:
• Adobe Flash Player
• Adobe Reader
• Microsoft Windows XP
• Microsoft Office
• Sun Microsystems JAVA

Any unacceptable usage of the property, software and/or violation as described above regarding HTA equipment, software, Elluminate classrooms or Network/Internet Policy (found in the enrollment paperwork and signed before enrollment) may result in disciplinary action up to and including the immediate termination of enrollment in HTA.

Internet Safety Policy

It is the policy of Hawaii Technology Academy to: (a) prevent user access over its computer network to, or transmission of, inappropriate material via Internet, electronic mail, or other forms of direct electronic communications; (b) prevent unauthorized access and other unlawful online activity; (c) prevent unauthorized online disclosure, use, or dissemination of personal identification information of minors; and (d) comply with the Children’s Internet Protection Act [Pub. L. No. 106-554 and 47 USC 254(h)].

Definitions

Key terms are as defined in the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA).
 

Access to Inappropriate Material

To the extent practical, technology protection measures (or “Internet filters”) shall be used to block or filter Internet, or other forms of electronic communications, access to inappropriate information.
Specifically, as required by the Children’s Internet Protection Act, blocking shall be applied to visual depictions of material deemed obscene or child pornography, or to any material deemed harmful to minors.
Subject to staff supervision, Learning Coach, technology protection measures may be disabled or, in the case of minors, minimized only for bona fide research or other lawful purposes.

Inappropriate Network Usage

To the extent practical, steps shall be taken to promote the safety and security of users of the Hawaii Technology Academy online computer network when using electronic mail, chat rooms, instant messaging, and other forms of direct electronic communications.
Specifically, as required by the Children’s Internet Protection Act, prevention of inappropriate network usage includes: (a) unauthorized access, including so-called ‘hacking,’ and other unlawful activities; and (b) unauthorized disclosure, use, and dissemination of personal identification information regarding minors.

Supervision and Monitoring

It shall be the responsibility of all members of the Hawaii Technology Academy staff and the Learning Coach to supervise and monitor usage of the online computer network and access to the Internet in accordance with this policy and the Children’s Internet protection Act.
Procedures for the disabling or otherwise modifying any technology protection measures shall be the responsibility of the Learning Coach, Hawaii Technology Academy Staff or designated representatives.

CIPA Definitions of Terms

TECHNOLOGY protection measure: The term “technology protection measure” means a specific technology that blocks or filters Internet access to visual depictions that are:

• OBSCENE, as that term is defined in section 1460 of title 18, United States Code;
• CHILD PORNOGRAPHY, as that term is defined in section 2256 of title 18, United States Code; or
• Harmful to minors.
• HARMFUL TO MINORS. The term “harmful to minors” means any picture, image, graphic image file, or other visual depiction that:
• Taken as a whole and with respect to minors, appeals to a prurient interest in nudity, sex, or excretion;
• Depicts, describes, or represents, in a patently offensive way with respect to what is suitable for minors, an actual or simulated sexual act or sexual contact, actual or simulated normal or perverted sexual acts, or a lewd exhibition of the genitals; and
• Taken as a whole lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value as to minors.
• SEXUAL ACT/SEXUAL CONTACT. The terms “sexual act” and “sexual contact” have the meanings given such terms in section 2246 of title 18, United States Code.

Harassment Reporting

If you are being harassed in your high school course environment, it is important to report it immediately to your school administrator. Harassment comes in many forms including:

• Spam (unsolicited e-mails not pertaining to the course)
• Threatening communications
• Offensive communications or any other kind of communication that makes you feel uncomfortable