Make the kids sign a contract to use the computers. It is their privilege, not their right to have a computer. If they are seen doing anything against their contract, you have the power to take their computer away. You only monitor them during school hours, and they are free to use their computer for personal use at home, where it is their parent's responsibility to monitor them.
I know when I was in high school I knew how to circumvent the proxy blocking myspace and flash games. If I was on a contract though, even if I knew how to technically break the restrictions, I would be very considerate about when I did it. The last thing some 14 year old kid needs is to be the only one without a computer.
The state mandates web filtering on all machines.
So you can use a basic proxy on your school network to filter out websites you deem unworthy while they are on the school network. Smart children can circumvent it if they want, but they know what they are risking. Even if you never actually take a computer from a child you can lord it over them and keep them away from whatever content you think is necessary to block during school. This way the children get the laptops for their use, and the district is covered by providing the mandated web filtering, and revoking the rights of any student who circumvents it. Even if you don't actually take the computers from the children who misuse their computers, IMNAL, but you should be covered legally.
Slashdot Mirror
Make the kids sign a contract to use the computers. It is their privilege, not their right to have a computer. If they are seen doing anything against their contract, you have the power to take their computer away. You only monitor them during school hours, and they are free to use their computer for personal use at home, where it is their parent's responsibility to monitor them.
I know when I was in high school I knew how to circumvent the proxy blocking myspace and flash games. If I was on a contract though, even if I knew how to technically break the restrictions, I would be very considerate about when I did it. The last thing some 14 year old kid needs is to be the only one without a computer.
The state mandates web filtering on all machines.
So you can use a basic proxy on your school network to filter out websites you deem unworthy while they are on the school network. Smart children can circumvent it if they want, but they know what they are risking. Even if you never actually take a computer from a child you can lord it over them and keep them away from whatever content you think is necessary to block during school. This way the children get the laptops for their use, and the district is covered by providing the mandated web filtering, and revoking the rights of any student who circumvents it. Even if you don't actually take the computers from the children who misuse their computers, IMNAL, but you should be covered legally.