Board of Education Reviews Policy on Responsible Use of Technology and Social Media in Howard County Public Schools

April 15th, 2016

The Howard County Board of Education received recommendations for strengthening Board Policy 8080, “Responsible Use of Technology and Social Media,” yesterday to ensure equitable use of technology, and to add definitions for digital tools and personally identifiable information. The public hearing on Policy 8080 is scheduled for 7:30 p.m., May 12 in the Board Room at the HCPSS central office, 10910 Clarksville Pike, Ellicott City, Maryland.

Today, the Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) announced a public awareness campaign to support the responsible use of technology and social media by students and adults. HCPSS will engage student groups and other stakeholders in activities that promote positive messages and activities this school year and next.

“The use of technology and social media is pervasive in schools and throughout our community. We have an obligation to teach and model the appropriate, positive uses of technology for students and adults, while also increasing awareness of ways to report harmful behavior,” said Superintendent Renee A. Foose.

Board policy standards for the use of technology were reorganized to be more easily understood, to ensure consistency, update definitions and make changes to legal references. The review committee for Policy 8080 committee included students, parents, staff and community members. The charter for the committee was approved by the Board on September 3, 2015. The committee’s recommendation was submitted to the Superintendent’s Cabinet on March 23, 2016, and the Superintendent’s recommendations were presented to the Board last night.

On Wednesday, April 20 from 6 to 7 p.m., an interactive discussion about the responsible use of technology and social media will be broadcast live on the next episode of HCPSS Insight on HCPSS-TV (Comcast Channel 95 and Verizon Channel 42) and online at www.hcpss.org. Two panels of students, parents and HCPSS staff members will discuss the Board policy, how technology is used in the classroom, digital citizenship and how to report cyber bullying. Community members are invited to submit questions for the panel prior to the broadcast through Twitter (#HCPSSinsight) and email (insight@hcpss.org).