Crane News

Students that attend CPS schools complain about not being able to visit certain sites on the internet. They always say they need to see the site because it contains information on a project or work they need to turn in. From my own experience, having sites blocked that I needed to get information off of was very frustrating. If school is your only access to a computer that can cause problems for your grade.

      According to the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) Policy Manual, unacceptable uses include “using the CPS network for, or in any illegal purposes”. I think this rule is very good, and ensures that no one is using the internet inappropriately. CPS also argues that “[t]his policy ensures CPS compliance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act”. But a lot of these policies were not well thought out and make using CPS computers complicated.

      But the policy is only helpful to a point. Then it starts to keep students from completing their work well. “Use of the CPS Network is a privilege that is provided to help Members complete and deliver educational and business obligations” But if you are doing a research project on gang violence and a site blocked, how can you complete your assignment? Students think that CPS should have a way to permit them to get on the site even if it is blocked. Students would have to prove it is for a school assignment and for “educational purposes”. So I think the policies are good to have, but they are not allowing students to access the information they need to learn.

                                       ~Zackary Berryman