Since I have been publicly advocating for the increased use of bootleg technology in schools, I have been getting some questions concerning internet filters and blocked web sites. The answer to most of these questions are addressed in an article written by Tina Barseghian, “Straight from the DOE: Dispelling Myths About Blocked Sites” (April 26, 2011). The following is a summary of that article. Here are some surprising rules that educators, administrators, parents and students might not know about website filtering in schools. • The Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) does require filtering to block student access to inappropriate websites • Accessing YouTube is not violating CIPA rules. • Websites don’t have to be blocked for teachers. • Broad filters are not helpful. • Schools will not lose E-Rate funding by unblocking appropriate sites. • Kids need to be taught how to be responsible digital citizens. • Teachers should be trusted. “If the technology fails us and filters something appropriate and useful, and if teachers in their professional judgment think it’s appropriate, they should be able to show it.” A number of you in the LYS Nation are now using bootleg technology devices to follow Twitter. If you haven’t done so yet, we want you to join us. To let you see what you are missing, here are the Top 10 LYS Tweets from the week of June 19, 2011, as tabulated by the accountants at Price Waterhouse. 1. I see that Memphis schools are going to include student input on teacher evaluations. I don’t see an upside to this. 2. Memphis continued: I was an ass to many of my teachers when I was in high school. My rating of them then is not how I would rate them now. 3. Memphis continued: I want my teachers to teach with courage and conviction, not fear. 4. Restrictions on children: Voting, smoking, drinking, driving, contracts, work, etc. What idiot thinks it is a good idea to let them rate teachers? 5. Student choice is not the ultimate goal. Increasing student opportunity is the ultimate goal. This often entails limiting student choice. 6. Some LYS data – Unnamed district: 6 LYS Secondary Schools, overall attendance improved 0.43%; 2 non-LYS Secondary Schools, attendance fell 0.45%. Nice Job LYS’ers! 7. Congratulations to LYS Principal Jerry Gibson on his promotion. Who will be next? 8. Congratulations to LYS Principal Dr. John Jenkins on his promotion. Who will be next? 9. Congratulations to LYS Principal Dr. Stephen Wurtz on his new promotion. Who will be next? 10. Congratulations to LYS Principal Donnie Bartlett on his new school in his new district. Who will be next? 11. Congratulations to LYS’er Fletcher Turcato on getting his first principalship. Who will be next? Think. Work. Achieve. Your turn… Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “The Fundamental 5: The Formula for Quality Instruction.” Individual copies available on Amazon.com! http://tinyurl.com/4ydqd4t A Central Texas School District is searching for an Assistant Superintendent. Application details at www.LeadYourSchool.com Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation