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Computer Use Policy

Computer Use Policy

Students who take online classes are expected to follow the AAPS district computer use policy and guidelines. Students and families should not assume privacy with regard to equipment, programs, software, or communications while taking one of our courses.

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Digital Citizenship Technology Equipment and Files Copyright Academic Dishonesty / Plagiarism Consequences FERPA Full District Policy

Digital Citizenship

It is a goal of AAPS to help students become strong digital citizens who make appropriate, responsible decisions when using technology. At all times, while using district technology resources, students and staff are expected to demonstrate appropriate and responsible use.

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Technology Equipment and Computer Files

  • District computers in public areas are shared resources for AAPS users. Some computers may be limited to specific user groups.
  • Computer files are personal property. Get the owner’s permission before opening, moving, deleting, or duplicating another person’s files.
  • Do not attempt to hack, alter, or interfere with programs or files you do not own.
  • Staff may view data stored electronically by students on district workstations or file servers.
  • District file servers and workstations may be subject to FOIA requests.
  • Back up school-related or professional files to district storage when appropriate.
  • Individuals are responsible for backing up personal files on their own storage devices.
  • Files may disappear accidentally, and the district is not responsible for lost files.
  • Privacy of files is not guaranteed.
  • Storage limits are set by the district and may change.

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Copyrighted Information

  • Copyright protects original works of authorship under United States law.
  • The district follows U.S. copyright law, including fair use guidelines.
  • Students and staff are expected to respect copyright when using, sharing, or reproducing materials.

For more information, visit the U.S. Copyright Office.

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Academic Dishonesty / Plagiarism

Students are required to complete assignments and all proctored assessments on a district-issued device.

Plagiarism includes actions such as:

  • stealing and passing off another person’s ideas or words as your own
  • using another person’s work without giving credit
  • committing literary theft
  • presenting an idea or product from an existing source as new and original

Students who aid or abet another student by sharing work or materials may also be considered responsible for academic dishonesty.

Additional Academic Honesty Expectations

Academic dishonesty includes more than plagiarism. Review the expectations below to ensure your work meets course requirements.

Students are expected to complete all work independently unless otherwise directed and may not use unauthorized assistance.

  • Submit only your own work unless collaboration is explicitly allowed.
  • Do not use unauthorized tools or resources, including AI tools, translators, or answer-sharing websites.
  • Do not share your work with others or use another student’s work.
  • Follow all course-specific expectations, including restrictions in courses such as World Languages.

Important: The use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools is only permitted when explicitly allowed by your instructor. Submitting AI-generated or AI-assisted work as your own without permission is considered academic dishonesty.

For detailed definitions, examples, and consequences, please review the full A2 Virtual+ Academic Integrity Policy.

View Full Academic Integrity Policy

Plagiarism and academic dishonesty are Level 1 or 2 offenses in the Ann Arbor Public Schools Rights and Responsibility Handbook .

Possible responses to academic dishonesty may include:

  • communication with a parent or guardian
  • a grade penalty on the assignment
  • earning a grade of “E” for the course after multiple offenses
  • a referral becoming part of the student’s permanent record
  • a conference with staff, parent or guardian, and student
  • exclusion from future online courses
  • a one-to-five-day suspension

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Consequences of Inappropriate Use of Technology Equipment

  • Violations of the AAPS acceptable use expectations may result in restrictions, suspension, or revocation of electronic use privileges.
  • Users may also face additional disciplinary action when appropriate.
  • Appeals may be made according to the rules and regulations of AAPS.

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Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

FERPA protects the privacy of student education records and gives parents rights to review student records. Schools may disclose directory information, but parents may request that this information not be shared.

  1. The school will not publish confidential educational records, such as grades or student ID numbers, for public viewing on the internet.
  2. The school may publish student work and photos for public viewing, but it will not publish student last names or other personally identifiable information.
  3. Parents may request that photos, names, and general directory information about their children not be published.
  4. Parents have the right at any time to investigate the contents of their child’s email and Apps for Education files.

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Full AAPS Acceptable Use Policy

For the complete district policy, use the link below.

Read the Full Acceptable Use of the Computing Environment for Staff and Students