Contractual+Agreements

Contractual agreements are essential for schools to design and maintain when implementing an iPad program. The primary purpose for the contract is to explicitly state student and parental expectations in order to assign responsibility and codes of conduct. The contract should also designate liability in various scenarios, should any legal issues arise. The contract protects teachers, the school district, parents, and students through the clear expectations of every party invested.



Not all iPad contracts need to be identical- they should be aimed toward the student population. For example, students in younger grades such as Pre-K to third grade do not possess the skills to pirate music or software- so this may not be a necessary component of the contract. Instead, basic maintenance such as temperature control, keeping fluids away from the device, and padded cases should be described in the contract.

 Older students, such as middle school through high school, need a contract that will describe copyright law, digital citizenship, monitoring the devices, and situations where the device may be taken away from the student. By detailing the student responsibilities, the school district is placing the liability on the students thus making the students responsible for their own behavior.

Below are four very different sample contracts that are actually used at the schools listed. Below the contracts are brief summaries and general comments.  Sample Contract 1 is very simple and straightforward in discussing copyright infringement, care and maintenance, and how to report a lost/ stolen device. (Lee's Summit R-7 School District, 2010) This would be a good contract for the teachers or for very young students.

 Sample Contract 2 is much more detailed and would be suitable for high school students through the explicit discussion of copyright law, hardware and software expectations, and situations that the school may take the device back from the students. (Monte Vista Christian School, 2011) Sample Contract 2 also does a great job in parent expectations by warning parents not to let their students place sensitive information such as credit card numbers on the school issued device, discussing insurance options for parents in case the device is damaged, and suggests parents install the Mobicip App so that students are unable to access inappropriate websites off-campus. (Monte Vista Christian School, 2011)

 Sample Contract 3 covers all of the basic iPad issues such as copyright and lost/stolen/ damaged devices but also does a wonderful job discussion appropriate online interactions and digital citizenship- the entire last page is dedicated to citizenship! Sample Contract 3 also goes above other contracts in discussing student privacy, “//To maintain network and equipment integrity, local school and system staff may inspect any and all data stored on this device. Therefore, I have no expectation of privacy//.” (Our Lady of the Valley Catholic School, 2011) This is a great idea because schools should maintain the right to check student computers. Sample Contract 3 also discusses the student responsibilities with software downloaded or copied onto the school issued devices: “//I understand that I may not make copies of or loan the software on the iPads or MacBooks, nor may I install any software for which I do not have appropriate licensing. I further understand that I am responsible for any penalties incurred for the installation or use of any illegal or pirated apps downloaded on the iPads or MacBooks//.” (Our Lady of the Valley Catholic School, 2011).

 Sample Contract 4 is very, very detailed. While this may be good for older students, it is unlikely that K-12 students will read and fully understand all 8 pages of legal jargon. This contract would work for college-aged students or school staff, but is too long and detailed for K-12 students. (GFW High School, 2010)

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