School+Web+Policy

__Website Development and Management Policy __ __South Padre Island High School __

__Goal __ SPI High School will create and maintain a modern interactive user focused website to facilitate broad participation among all stakeholders in the community. This web site will be flexible enough to reflect the school culture and meet future needs as they occur.

__Site Objectives __ To provide a comprehensive framework governing the introduction and implementation of Web 2.0 tools leading to more student centered learning. To improve communication and provide resources among faculty, parents, students, alumni, school board, and other stakeholders. To be in accordance with school district, state, and federal laws governing acceptable use, security, and safety.

__General Design Framework __ Design guidelines will follow the recommendations set forth by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) based on standard guide lines to include; Web Design and Applications, Web Architecture, XML Technology, Web services, Web Devices, and Browsers and Authoring tools ([]). Pages representing the school, district offices or organizations will comply with the standards set forth by SPI School District Design Standards ([]). Web pages are an extension of the school’s website and must adhere to the district AUP and privacy policies ([]). Web pages outside the main home and teacher should relate to curriculum, instruction, and school activities. Web pages for individuals or organizations not directly affiliated with the District are not allowed.

__Web Site Usability __ The site will contain a user-friendly index page with a direct link that provides the following: Obvious identification for the website (logo or tagline). An overview of the site’s contents and features. Fresh content. Shortcuts to the most visited sites and popular content. Easy access to login tools and direct links to registration forms and account information.

The site will use the following usability design principles: Providing fast loading web pages to boost user satisfaction. Examples include using minimal graphics per page, optimizing page markup, and accommodating a wide range of connection speed. Accommodating user abilities, disabilities, browsers, and alternative devices. Examples include using flexible design, scalable font size, avoidance of frames, and providing printable versions. Ensuring predictability by providing clear consistent web architecture and conventional practices. Examples include using easily recognized well placed objects including home page links and account functions on every page. Providing user friendly and concise corrections for user errors. Examples include clear error messages, explanations, and instructions.

__School Home Page Standards __ SPI High School home page must reflect 21st century technology skills and activities focused on learner centered teaching. The site should incorporate significant Web 2.0 technologies including: Cascading Style Sheets (**CSS**) to

The appropriate district logo must be used on the home page in an appropriate color palette. The general appearance of the school and teacher’s pages should follow the District’s style guide as shown in the District’s design standards ([]).

The school page must contain the following required links: Contact information (including email addresses) for school, administrative staff and all teachers. Mission, philosophy, and achievements of the school. School Calendar including all significant events. District Home Page ([|http://www.spiisd.edu]). Parent Portal / SIS ([|http://www.txaccess.portal.edu]). District Email ([|http://www.spi.tx.webmail.net]). School Curriculum resource page ([|http://www.cscope.region1.edu]). Student Blog and collaboration tutorial ([]). District technology department ([]).

It is recommended that the school page contains: Web 2.0 and 21st century skills philosophy. Extra-curricular activities sponsored by the school. Community, state, and federal resources. Newsletter or school newspaper. Other information deeded appropriate by Principal.

SPI High must assign a District employee as site master, responsible for maintaining and reviewing page content.

__Teacher Page Standards __ The teacher home pages should contain a greeting, class description / syllabus, contact information, course schedule, conference time, and other class relate information. The appropriate district logo must be used on the teacher page in an appropriate color palette. The general appearance of the school and teacher’s pages should follow the District’s style guide as shown in the District’s design standards ([]).

Pages should contain resources related to Web 2.0 technology and strategies for the virtual classroom. ([|www.concord.org/publications.edu]). Assignments, homework, discussion boards, and other collaboration tools should be easily accessible and understood. SPI High School Discussion boards will reside in password protected locations. Posts will be thoughtful and be directed at the entire group. Also, discussion boards will be appropriate for a school setting and contain probing thought provoking questions. Class wikis and blogs are to be considered public in nature. Posts must be approved by the teacher while taking care to protect student privacy. Teachers shall not use names or post pictures of students unless written parental consent is on record.

__Student Information and Safety __ Student work should be published when it relates to class projects, course, or other school related activity. No personal information should be included for any student. Links to web pages that reference sites not associated with the District are prohibited.

__<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans','sans-serif';">Copyright __ <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans','sans-serif';">All page authors are responsible to comply with acceptable copyright and intellectual property laws. This relates to both student work published and any other information obtained from other sources.

__<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans','sans-serif';">Unacceptable Uses __ <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans','sans-serif';">The District reserves the right, without notice, to remove any link that references a web site deemed inappropriate or contrary to the District policies. All advertisements are prohibited on any District web page without the prior approval of the Superintendent. Links to commercial website should be kept to a minimum and have clear education ties and purpose. Violating any district, state, or federal law or municipal ordinance is prohibited. Staff must understand and agree to the guidelines stated in the District Web site Publication Authorization agreement ([|http//:www.spiisd/publications.edu]). The use of District accounts for the purpose of publishing is a privilege and mis use will result in the restriction or cancellation of the account.