How to request blocking or unblocking of web sites

INTERNET FILTERING GUIDELINES Request Blocking or Unblocking of a Web Site

The Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) requires schools and districts receiving “E-rate” and federal funding to comply with certain Internet technology protection measures and policies; including filtering of inappropriate content from students and adults.  Baldwin County Board of Education is currently using several purchased products to provide Internet security and content filtering.  If you feel that you have found a website (URL) that has been mishandled by our filter, please follow the steps outlined below to request a change.

The following points apply to requesting the blocking or unblocking of a web site:

The vast majority of requests for a change will result in a change on all of the district’s computers and wireless devices. Thus, when requesting that a site be blocked or unblocked, realize that your request has a greater implication beyond your office, classroom, lab, building, etc.  

 

Requests should be made for educational purpose only. For compliance, if you are requesting that a blocked site be unblocked, please be prepared to defend the instructional or professional value of the site.

If you are requesting that a site be unblocked, please determine that comparable content is not already available on some other (unblocked) web site.

If the website has a chatroom or chat capability; these sites are normally blocked.

It is possible to make requests for sites that should be made available for staff but not for students or to make requests for filtering by building (grade level). If you are making a request of this nature, be sure to supply adequate detail and rationale for your request.

 

BCBOE will automatically block or filter Internet access for both minors and adults to certain visual depictions. These include visual depictions that are (1) obscene, or (2) child pornography, or (3) with respect to use of computers with Internet access by minors, material that is harmful to minors. 

To request the blocking or unblocking of a site, 

 

1. Log into your Employee Portal (my.bcbe.org) and then select the ET Help Desk icon.
   
2. Click on the “Submit a request” link at the top right of the page.
   
   
3. Complete the form provided.  Be sure to enter the URL (website address) carefully.  Copy and paste if needed.