IT Operational Policy: Content Filtering

Title: Content Filtering (Internet)
Effective Date: July 1, 1995
Last Updated: August 1, 2007

Policy: The district is mandated by Administrative Procedure 4580 (.PDF), section B.2, to implement an Internet filtering policy to protect students from potentially harmful material. We are also mandated to comply with internet content filtering by the FCC's Children's Internet Protection Act. More information can be found at http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/cipa.html

Notes:

How are web sites blocked?
The district contracts with 8e6 Technologies for Internet Filtering Appliances to perform blocking of inappropriate web content on the district wide area network. Web sites identified by 8e6 Technology's researchers and recognition technologies to contain Pornographic, Hate, Obscene and other related materials are organized in predefined categories. Updates to 8e6's category databases are downloaded daily to our multiple Internet Filter Appliances. The IT Department has the ability to override the content within categories where necessary.

What categories are used to determine harmful material?

A complete listing and explanation of 8e6 database categories is found here. SDUSD currently enables a subset of these categories as deemed appropriate to protect students and staff.

How accurate is the filtering? Why do some appropriate sites get blocked?

Due to the very dynamic nature of Internet web sites, content filtering solutions are never 100% accurate. An unlimited number of sites and page content changes are posted to the Internet daily, sometimes resulting in a delay before inappropriate sites are identified and added to the 8e6 databases. Conversely, an appropriate site may be blocked due to various reasons, such as an Internet Service Provider hosting virtual domains, resulting in a normally appropriate site being blocked due to it sharing an ip address of an inappropriate domain space.

Is my use of the internet on district computers private?

No. Internet usage from computers on the district network is not considered private. Centrally logged internet usage data is subject to review. Internet access on the wide area network by district staff is intended for district business and educational purposes only.

How can I request that a web site be unblocked or blocked?

To request that a site be reviewed for exemption from, or inclusion to, blocked web sites, submit an email to Mike Casey, Executive Director Information Technology at: mcasey@sandi.net. Please include the complete URL (web site address), or, if requesting an exemption review, copy/paste the Access Denied page (IP, Category, Requested URL) information into your email.
The IT Department appreciates school sites and departments contacting us regarding web sites that they feel may need attention - working together, we can insure a higher level of appropriate web content for our students and staff.