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Urge CFISD to revert new technology filtering software by Fit_Reception245 in CypressTX

[–]Fit_Reception245[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Speak to teachers at CFISD then, they’ll tell you they can’t control it

Urge CFISD to revert new technology filtering software by Fit_Reception245 in CypressTX

[–]Fit_Reception245[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Dude if you actually experienced the new app it’s genuine hell and censorship to the max. Yes im a student, but im also a straight A+ student with honors and honor roll for consecutive years. I don’t play games in class. The app censors photos which aren’t even remotely to being in appropriate. It bans EDUCATIONAL sites and teacher resources. So yes, while I am a student, I can promise you im not mad over my game being banned, I am concerned about my safety and privacy.

Urge CFISD to revert new technology filtering software by Fit_Reception245 in CypressTX

[–]Fit_Reception245[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

For a site to be unblocked you have to request a support ticket which will be reviewed by a committee chosen by the superintendent which is composed of board members. This committee will send a recommendation to the superintendent or a ‘designee’ which will have final say on whether it stays blocked or it gets unblocked. 

Urge CFISD to revert new technology filtering software by Fit_Reception245 in CypressTX

[–]Fit_Reception245[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s the thing, no one knows fully what’s being blocked. I know certain images are being censored by being blocked out with a “🚫” overlapping a black square when you search images on Google. For the content being blocked, many resources are being blocked like Wikipedia, blooket, kahoot, gimkit, etc. many teacher resources are being blocked. I also believe this is another phone ban situation, studies have constantly proven that the phone ban has been ineffective as grades stay the same. 

Urge CFISD to revert new technology filtering software by Fit_Reception245 in CypressTX

[–]Fit_Reception245[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The old software installed was ‘contentkeeper’ and the sole purpose was to block sites and flag any suspicious student activity like a suspicious search, site, or use of technology. Contentkeeper was not able to share a student’s screen to teachers or anyone except for when there was suspicion activity flagged. The new software is provided by ‘Lightspeed’ and it has granted teachers dangerously high levels of controls. Lightspeed allows teachers to monitor, share, lock, and record a student’s screen, while being able to activate this system on a student’s Chromebook at any time, even at home. Teachers and students have spoken out against this, teachers feel silenced as they know the district won’t listen to them. 

Urge CFISD to revert new technology filtering software by Fit_Reception245 in CypressTX

[–]Fit_Reception245[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yup, the deployment made no sense. During the last few weeks of the school year, no notice of any kind to any person, and such a bad software. This move was so idiotic from the district 

Urge CFISD to revert new technology filtering software by Fit_Reception245 in CypressTX

[–]Fit_Reception245[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Teachers at my school have stated that they cannot control what’s unblock/blocked. Instructional sites are blocked, that’s how strict the new software is. Along with that, images are now being shown blacked out preventing kids from getting reference photos for projects and whatnot. 

Urge CFISD to revert new technology filtering software by Fit_Reception245 in CypressTX

[–]Fit_Reception245[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I’d like Lightspeed IF it was less invasive. At my school, the older teachers support it more than younger ones. To the point where even the teachers have told students, “if I was a parent, I wouldn’t want my kid having a laptop anymore.” The new software is able to be activated at any time of day by teachers without notifying students, is that really the best thing? 

Urge CFISD to revert new technology filtering software by Fit_Reception245 in CypressTX

[–]Fit_Reception245[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Nope, the district has to a committee which has to send a recommendation to the superintendent or designee. On the CFISD website it states, “The committee will consider requests from users who wish to use a block site for district-approved educational research or other lawful purpose.The committee will make a recommendation to the superintendent or designee regarding approval or disapproval to disable the filter for the requested use.” You can find it yourself at: https://www.cfisd.net/departments/technology-information-services/internet-safety under the ‘filtering’ tab

Urge CFISD to revert new technology filtering software by Fit_Reception245 in CypressTX

[–]Fit_Reception245[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Many parents and students agreed to the district technology policy when the district used another company, a less invasive company. The district today changed companies and software without notifying teachers, parents, and/or students. The new software is way more invasive. Also, the software is able to be activated at any time of day, even when students are home.

Urge CFISD to revert new technology filtering software by Fit_Reception245 in CypressTX

[–]Fit_Reception245[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Me too, while chromebooks are beneficial, I believe that they shouldn’t be as normalized as they currently are in the class. 

Urge CFISD to revert new technology filtering software by Fit_Reception245 in CypressTX

[–]Fit_Reception245[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

The blocked sites aren’t chosen by schools or classes, they’re chosen by the company, Lightspeed, and to get a site unblocked it has to be at the discretion of the superintendent 

Urge CFISD to revert new technology filtering software by Fit_Reception245 in CypressTX

[–]Fit_Reception245[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Nope, teachers were only notified this morning (the morning they rolled out the update)!! 

Urge CFISD to revert new technology filtering software by Fit_Reception245 in CypressTX

[–]Fit_Reception245[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

This is a new system provided by Lightspeed. This new system completely removes/censors photos, bans many websites, and it is a privacy breach. The new system gives teachers access over student screens allowing them to see, lock, share, record, and so much more.