Huntsville board changes policy on electronic devices in schools--Crystal Bonvillian, The Huntsville Times

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama -- As part of the Huntsville school district's technological push, the school board has expanded the list of electronic devices students are allowed to bring -- and use -- on campus. The board Thursday approved an updated policy on electronic devices that addresses the use of district-issued computers. The old policy, which went into effect in May of 2008, allowed students to bring cell phones, pagers and other audio or video devices to school, but they were not allowed to use them during school hours unless given permission by the principal. The new policy allows students to use them "in the case of devices issued to students by the district for educational purposes." It also allows students to bring in their own devices. "Students may use personally-owned technology such as e-readers, tablets, notepads, laptops or similar devices for instructional purposes with specific permission of their teacher," the policy states. To do so, students will have to sign acceptable use forms, which will include conditions for the use of their own devices. The policy change was necessary after the district last fall bought more than 3,600 computers in an effort to put technology in all students' hands. The push, made possible by about $850,000 set aside in the 2012 budget, included netbooks for all fifth-graders and ninth-graders at Butler High School. Each principal also has an iPad and a laptop computer. Among the other computers distributed to the schools are 28 iPads to the elementary schools and 30 MacBook Airs to the high schools. Eventually, all students are anticipated to be assigned computers to aid their education.