So you are going to let some classes let students use their own technology devices this year (really, this is a statement more than a question). A limited pilot seems reasonable. And you picked out a teacher who is not going to let the kids just go anywhere on the web. But it doesn’t take long for you to hear that some student has done something and the evidence is on his or her device. What are you going to do? Do know that if you go crazy and ignore common sense that this situation is going to blow up in your face. But since only LYS’ers read this blog, we know that common sense is your strong point. Case law tells you that if a school administrator has reasonable suspicion that there is evidence of wrongdoing to be found that he or she can conduct a limited search. The key phrases being reasonable suspicion and limited search. However, if you are allowing the student to use the device in class and the student seems to be doing so appropriately, you do not have carte blanche to search the device. But, a “permission to use / permission to search” agreement, signed by all parties (parent, student, administrator) would seem to be a prudent and reasonable precaution and would go along way in addressing why, when and how to search a device. And if the student and parent don’t sign, they do get to use their device. Second, when you do find something inappropriate on the student owned device (which you will), leave the Gestapo tactics at home for use on your own children. Be reasonable, with reasonable consequences. There is a lot of inappropriate stuff out there. If we over-react, we will just make that stuff more exciting and cool. If and when your students mess up, teach and coach them so they don’t make the same mistake again. Now for the disclaimer: I’m not a lawyer, but I have watched almost every Law and Order episode. 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 July 24, 2011, as tabulated by the accountants at Price Waterhouse. 1. Congratulations to LYS Principal, Steve Snell. He is the new Assistant Superintendent in Hutto ISD! Who will be next? 2. For those who view bootleg technology as a classroom management land mine, the issue might be larger than a tiny cell phone. 3. If your school internet filters block access to almost everything – you are telling your staff that they are either too dumb or immoral to be trusted. 4. You don’t win by pointing out how bad someone else is. You win by blowing the top off performance and raising the bar. 5. Question: “Should charters be allowed in ‘successful’ suburban districts?” Answer: Effective and efficient schools should be allowed wherever there is need and demand. 6. The Real Question: If the ‘successful’ suburban school does not outperform its suburban peers, what is the rubric for success? 7. Some believe state testing is contrary to critical thinking and inquiry. LYS’ers know that critical thinking and inquiry are the best test preparation. 8. The quality I most admire is the consistent attitude of “Here’s how we can do it.” As opposed to “Here’s why we can’t.” 9. I have spent last 2 days training 20+ grizzled, old, tenured and cynical middle school teachers. They were freaking awesome!!! 10. Texas will be tied for 49th place in education spending per pupil after these state funding cuts. Ahead of only Arizona. (By KDKHarman) 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 Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation