INFORMATIONAL

Title 22.1, section 22.1-70.2, of the Code of Virginia: 
requires that "On or before December 1, 1999, and 
biennially thereafter, every division superintendent shall 
file with the Superintendent of Public Instruction an 
acceptable Internet use policy, approved by the local 
school board, for the international network of computer 
systems commonly known as the Internet."

On Wednesday, April 7, 1999, the Virginia General Assembly 
voted to accept House Resolution H1043.  As a result of 
that action, each school division will be required to draft 
an Acceptable Internet Use Policy that includes provisions 
(i) designed to prohibit use by division employees and 
students of the division's computer equipment and 
communications services for sending, receiving, reviewing, 
or downloading illegal material via the Internet, (ii) to 
seek to prevent access by students to material that the 
school division deems to be harmful to juveniles, and (iii) 
to establish appropriate measures to be taken against 
persons who violate the policy.  The policy may include 
such other terms, conditions, and requirements as deemed 
appropriate, such as requiring written parental 
authorization for Internet use by juveniles or 
differentiating acceptable uses among elementary, middle 
and high school students.  The superintendent shall take 
such steps as he deems appropriate to implement and enforce 
the division's policy, which may include, but not be 
limited to the use of software programs designed to block 
access by division employees and students to illegal 
material or to material that is harmful to juveniles, or 
both.

Divisions that are not in compliance must submit a policy 
for achieving the preceding objectives.  Information and 
assistance on drafting a policy may be found on the 
Department of Education's Home Page on the Internet, 
www.pen.k12.va.us.  If you have questions, or need additional 
information, please contact Lan Neugent at (804) 786-2260. 
Policies should be received by December 1, 1999.

The Department of Education is aware that many school 
divisions already have a policy in place.  A copy of this 
policy should be forwarded to Lan Neugent, Assistant 
Superintendent of Technology, Virginia Department of 
Education, P. O. Box 2120, Richmond, VA 23218.

PDS/cm