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FOR INTERNET SAFETY IN SCHOOLS
Legislation approved by the 2006 General Assembly and signed by Governor Kaine adds a requirement to the acceptable Internet use policies developed by the division superintendents that such policies include a component on Internet safety for students.
The Internet safety component must be integrated within a division's instructional program. This legislation also requires the Superintendent of Public Instruction to issue guidelines to school divisions regarding instructional programs related to Internet safety.
The purpose of this Web page is to provide you with the Department’s guidelines and related resources to implement this legislation. The guidelines document is available in PDF format for printing and duplication as needed in school divisions. In addition, the Department will be issuing companion documents relating to the integration of Internet safety with curriculum and instruction. The links on the left hand side provide additional information for school divisions.
Division Superintendents are currently required to submit an updated Acceptable Use Policy biennially. The division’s Internet safety policy should now be developed, aligned with the state guidelines, and incorporated into the division’s Acceptable Use Policy. The Department will review these policies for compliance.
The Bedford County (VA) Sheriff’s Office, under the leadership of Sheriff Michael J. Brown and through the Operation Blue Ridge Thunder Program, has made arrangements for Virginia school divisions to have access to NetSmartz materials from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, as a tool to assist in the implementation of a division’s program for Internet safety. The downloadable versions are available on the NetSmartz’s Web page for Virginia.
Questions about the department’s guidelines should be addressed to Dr. Tammy McGraw, Director of the Office of Educational Technology at (804) 225-4429 or e-mail tammy.mcgraw@doe.virginia.gov
For additional input please contact John Wenrich