iSafe

The i-SAFE Safe Schools Education initiative, adopted by the State of Delaware in 2003, brings fun, interactive curriculum lessons into the classroom and teaches students about online safety and responsibility. This curriculum is articulated by grade level and the materials are available online. It is currently being funded by the DCET and is available at no additional charge to all K-12 public schools. For more information, please contact Wendy Modzelewski.

The FCC released its long-awaited CIPA rule revisions incorporating the E-rate provisions of the Protecting Children in the 21st Century Act enacted in 2008. Due to this mandate by the Federal Communications Commission, all schools receiving eRate funding must have an internet safety curriculum in place and being taught to students. By nature of the State K12 network, all public schools are indirectly receiving eRate funds. The internet safety curriculum must minimally include instruction in three areas:

1. Safety on the Internet
2. Appropriate behavior while on online, on social networking Web sites, and in chat rooms; and
3. cyberbullying awareness and response.

eRate Central is an organization that specializes in providing consulting, compliance, and forms processing services to E-rate applicants. Their interpretation of the FCC ruling will help you understand the requirements. They have also prepared a CIPA Policy Primer that has sample language.

Information sent to public school Superintendents regarding internet safety requirements in January 2012.