PROVIDENCE – A new report by the American Civil Liberties Union of Rhode Island, a follow-up to a 2013 analysis, found that Rhode Island schools continue to over-censor school internet networks, the ACLU of Rhode Island announced, infringing on academic freedom and information access.
Some of the words that are censored on school internet networks, according to the report, are “political,” “hobbies,” “dictionary” and “news.”
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“By continuing to unnecessarily limit access to important educational information, Rhode Island’s schools are short-changing our students and unduly interfering with the ability of teachers to discuss important issues in the classroom,” said Steven Brown, ACLU of Rhode Island executive director, in a statement on the group’s website.
The report’s findings are very similar to the findings of the 2013 report, the ACLU said. That report resulted in a new state law that mandated that schools in Rhode Island have formal policies in place concerning internet filtering, or blocking certain sites. One of the requirements is that blocked sites be specifically listed, and there must be a transparent process in place by which users can request that a site be unblocked, the ACLU said.
The Dec. 20 report also showed education-related topics such as sex education, terrorism and drugs were blocked.
The report also found that only Cumberland and Exeter-West Greenwich school districts have adopted formal policies governing their use of internet filters, complying with a 2016 law. The ACLU also said it learned that a few other districts, such as Barrington, are working to get their school internet-filtering policies in place.
The state commissioner of education reminded school districts this month they need to comply with the 2016 law, said the ACLU. “We are hopeful that the commissioner’s reminder will lead to quick compliance,” said Brown.
Susan Shalhoub is a PBN contributor.
