Right 
This is another classic example of where adults say one thing and then do another.  Over the last few years, schools have been in a mad dash to add the latest technology into their classrooms.  Why?  Because they believe that it will have a positive impact on student achievement.  They believe that students will need to be technologically literate in order to compete in the 21st century.  However, they still believe that network access is entirely a privilege.  Perhaps they feel the total need for control? If something goes wrong, do they feel like they have to have  the power to yank access and accounts away from students? 

If technology is really as important as we talk about, then network access needs to be regarded as a right. Not a right that can't be taken away, but instead a right that comes with specific responsibilities.  The only real different that a right gives students is due process.  With due process, students access to the Internet can not be revoked before their side of the story is told. 
 

What implications does this present for allowing students to publish web pages? 

Students have a right to an education.  And if technology is really as important as most schools claim it is, then student access to the network is essential for students to complete their work. 
 
 

Additional Resources 

Speak freely, act responsibly 
Details the major points of the responsible freedom campaign. 

Should my university allow students to post to Netnews or have Web pages? 
Computers and Academic Freedom 
A short question and answer essay dealing with how universities and their student web page policies. Provides insight into how network access can play an important role in meeting a universities mission. 

If a state university calls computer or network access a "privilege" can they remove an individual's access arbitrarily?  Computers and Academic Freedom 
A short question and answer dealing with privileges vs. rights for network use with college students.  It doesn't conclusively decide that its a right or privilege, but does draw relationships between the 14th Amendment and the issue of rights vs privilege. 

A Legal and Educational Analysis of K-12 Internet Acceptable Use Policies 
Willard, Nancy 
The sections entitled "Limited Educational Purpose" and "Due Process" cover various considerations for school districts to protect abuse of the Internet. 

The First Amendment: a practitioner's perspective 
Seignethaler, John 
Armed with the Hazelwood v.Kuhlmeier case, schools do not appear to be teaching students about the first amendment or their responsibilities associated with it. 
 

SHE SAYS:

Privilege 
Just as private businesses have the right to control how their employees use a computer network, schools reserve the same right.  This enables the school to guarantee that the network is being used productively.  

The Internet is not provided in schools for general access.  Schools have a very specific purpose - to educate children.  Everything in school must be there to enhance the delivery of education.  If this isnât the case, then we must question whether it needs to exist.  

When students enter the work force of the 21st century they will likely be in a work environment where the network will be their for limited purposes.  We need to prepare them for this type of work environment.  Again, if students want greater freedom, they can get their own personal accounts somewhere else.  
 
 

What implications does this present for allowing students to publish web pages? 

Classifying it as a privilege means that schools have ultimate control over student accounts.  Schools must have this is order to guarantee that students are producing web pages that are productive and in line with the schools mission. 
 
 

Additional Resources 

A Legal and Educational Analysis of K-12 Internet Acceptable Use Policies 
Willard, Nancy 
The sections entitled "Limited Educational Purpose" and "Due Process" cover various considerations for school districts to protect abuse of the Internet. 
 
 

Government as K-12 Educator 
Discusses why K-12 educators have the legal right to control student speech whether its on-line or not.