Web Content Filtering Procedure - Southwest High School

Procedure: Web Content Filtering 

Supporting Policy: CQ Local, CQ Legal 

Other Supporting Documents: CIPA, COPA, FERPA, Internet Safety Plan 

Introduction 

Web Content Filtering Procedure 

Southwest Independent School District 

It is policy of Southwest ISD to: (a) prevent user access to, or transmission of, inappropriate 

material via Internet, electronic mail, or other forms of direct electronic communications over its 

computer network; (b) prevent unauthorized access and other unlawful online activity; (c) 

prevent unauthorized online disclosure, use, or dissemination of personal identification 

information of minors; and (d) comply with the Children’ Internet Protection Act [Pub L. No. 

106-554 and 47 USC 254(h)]. 

In accordance with stated policy of Southwest ISD and to the extent practical, a Web Content 

Filter technology protection measures (Internet Filters) is used to block or filter Internet or other 

forms of electronic communications, and access to inappropriate information. The Web Content 

Filtering Procedure provides campuses with the ability to unblock or block Internet Sites for the 

purposes of educational use or to provide educators with the ability to access certain sites for 

educational research or instructional support. 

Access to Inappropriate Material 

As required by the Children’s Internet Protection Act, blocking shall be applied to visual 

depictions of material deemed obscene or child pornography, or to any material deemed harmful 

to minors. 

In accordance with Southwest ISD Policies and Procedures, the following types of Internet sites 

may not be unblocked for student use or given access through an Override Password for district 

Staff members: 

Pornography 

Internet Based Free Web- Adware 

Mail services 

Dating/Personals Dubious or Unsavory Gambling 

Hacking Instant Messaging Internet Radio 

Viruses 

Obscene or Tasteless Peer to Peer File Sharing 

Content 

Phishing Spyware Proxy/Anonymizers 

Supervision and Monitoring 

It shall be the responsibility of the Campus Administration and Staff to monitor and supervise 

usage of online computer network and access to the Internet in accordance with this procedure, 

the district Acceptable Use Policy, the district Internet Safety Plan, and the Children’s 

Internet Protection Act.




SWISD Override Password Request 

An override password for the Web Content Filter is available for persons who have legitimate 

need to research content appropriate for instructional or educational purposes. The Override 

Password may be utilized by the requesting employee to access identified instructional or 

educational Internet locations, but may not be utilized to unblock multiple machines in a lab or 

classroom setting. 

The intention of an override password is: 

• To permit access to sites, for legitimate instructional purposes that the Filter currently 

blocks and is inappropriate for direct student use. 

• To promote the responsible use of electronic communications resources 

The use of an override password involves an agreement: 

• To meet the requirements of the SWISD Acceptable Use Policy 

• To maintain the security of the password at all times. Only the person who is granted the 

password has the authority to use it 

• To use the password for instructional purposes only 

An override password will be revoked for the following infractions: 

• Violating the SWISD Acceptable Use Policy 

• Using the override password for non-instructional purposes 

• Providing student access to the override password 

• Unblocking multiple machines in a classroom or lab setting 

District staff requesting an override password must complete the SWISD Override Password 

Request form providing the following information: 

• Name of requestor 

• Campus 

• Subject/Grade Level 

• Date of request 

• Purpose for request 

• Requestor Signature 

• Principal Authorization 

Upon completion of the SWISD Override Password Request form and approval of the Principal, 

the Campus Instructional Technologist and/or principal designee will create the override account 

and provide the account information to the requester. 

Completed forms, granted or denied, must be maintained at the campus site. 

(See flowchart process for form completion instructions)




SWISD Internet Site Block/Unblock Request 

Web Content filters are designed to block any internet site that may contain any links or other 

materials that may be deemed inappropriate or in violation of the Children’s Internet Protection 

Act. 

A site may be unblocked for student use and access provided the internet site provides 

instructional or educational benefit to the student’s instructional experience and does not provide 

access to any inappropriate content or communications systems. In addition, district staff 

members identifying content that is not currently blocked, but contains inappropriate content 

must submit a SWISD Internet Site Block/Unblock Request form to ensure that students are 

protected from inappropriate content. 

District staff requesting that an Internet site be blocked or unblocked must complete a SWISD 

Internet Site Block/Unblock Request form. 

The intention of the block/unblock request form is: 

• To provide access to sites that contributes to the instructional or educational experiences 

of the students. 

• To maintain accurate documentation of requests to override the content filtering system 

• To ensure that inappropriate content accessed through district computers is blocked 

• Promote the responsible use of electronic communications resources 

The following information will be required when completing the form: 

• Requestor Name 

• Campus 

• Grade Level/Subject 

• Date of the request 

• Internet Site address 

• Type of Request (block or unblock) 

• Purpose of request 

• Requestor Signature 

• Principal Authorization 

Upon completion of the SWISD Internet Site Block/Unblock Request form, the Campus 

Instructional Technologist and/or Principal designee will unblock any inappropriate sites 

identified. For any requests concerning the unblocking of Internet sites, the Campus 

Instructional Technologist or Principal designee must complete the Web Content Checklist. If 

the Internet site does not violate the Web Content Checklist, the Campus Instructional 

Technologist or Principals designee, with authorization from the Principal, will unblock the 

Internet site. 

Completed forms, granted or denied, must be maintained at the campus site.




Process for Form Completion 

Staff Member requests an 

override password, a site to be 

unblocked, or a site to be 

blocked by filling out the 

appropriate form 

Form is submitted to the 

Campus Instructional 

Technologist or Principal’s 

designee 

CIT or Designee Reviews the 

override request form 

CIT or Designee Reviews 

the requested site using the 

Web Content Checklist 

Completed forms are 

presented to the Principal for 

approval/denial 

Requesting Staff 

Member is notified




Internet Site Block/Unblock Request 

Staff Member: __________________________ Grade Level: ______ 

Campus:________________________ 

Website to Review: _______________________________ 

Block 

Unblock 

Purpose of the request: _____________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________________ 

_________________________________________ 

Requestor Signature 

________________________ 

Date 

Web Content Checklist 

To be Completed by CIT or Principal Designated Reviewer 

N Y Description N Y Description 

Educational Value Links to Gambling Sites 

Pornography Internet Radio 

Links to Free Email Systems Links to Peer to Peer File Sharing 

Links to Dating/Personals Links to Proxies / Anonymizers 

References to Hacking Obscene or Tasteless Content 

Links Internet Based Free Mail Dubious or Unsavory Content 

Services 

 

 

 

 

The Web Content Checklist form was used to evaluate the identified site listed above. It is recommended 

that the site be Blocked / Unblocked. 

Reason: _______________________________________________________________________ 

Filtering System Category: __________________ 

Reviewer:________________________________ 

Date Reviewed: ___________________ 

Position: _________________________ 

________________________________________ 

Reviewer Signature 

Approved 

Not Approved 

________________________________________ 

Principal Signature




SWISD Override Password Request 

An override password for the Filtering System is available for persons who have legitimate need 

to research content appropriate for instructional purposes. 

The intention of an override password is: 

• To permit access to sites, for legitimate instructional purposes that the Filter currently 

blocks and is inappropriate for direct student use. 

• To promote the responsible use of electronic communications resources 

The use of an override password involves an agreement: 

• To meet the requirements of the SWISD Acceptable Use Policy 

• To maintain the security of the password at all times. Only the person who is granted the 

password has the authority to use it 

• To use the password for instructional purposes only 

An override password will be revoked for the following infractions: 

• Violating the SWISD Acceptable Use Policy 

• Using the override password for non-instructional purposes 

• Providing student access to the override password 

• Unblocking multiple machines in a classroom or lab setting 

Name (please print): ______________________________ Campus: ________________ 

Subject or Grade Level: ____________________________ Date of request: __________ 

Purpose: ________________________________________________________________ 

______________________________________________________________________________ 

______________________________________________________________________________ 

____________________________________________________________ 

I understand that the SWISD electronic communications system is monitored and filtered and I 

agree to use the override password within the parameters of the SWISD Acceptable Use Policy. 

Approved 

Not Approved 

_______________________________ 

Teacher Signature 

_____________________________ 

Principal’s Signature

Web Content Filtering Procedure - Southwest High School

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