What is the Privacy Line for Students?

I go thru hundreds of RFPs, usually in the SLED (State, Local and Education) markets and see all the many ways schools spend money.

Today I saw an RFP from Granbury ISD for "Internet Content Filtering". I am pretty familiar with lockdown browsers (sitekiosk and kioware are good examples of that) and also configuring them on a custom required basis. Blocking adult sites for example.

This one today got me wondering. Texas, which I was born and raised in, has kind of skidded off the rails lately. Tend to be more concerned with social issues than with practical situations (energy, floods, etc). Critical Race Theory is a big red button for most politicians in Texas. Then again seeing schools buy technology from blacklisted firms like Dahua and Hikvision is also in my field of vision. The uyghurs in China being completely locked down digitally (via Hikvision and Dahua).

Now I wonder if I am seeing echoes of that in my home state. Here is the RFP and I wonder if this is just a little bit to robust in definition.

Overview

Granbury ISD is seeking Internet content filtering solution to perform the following roles:

  • Content Filter for all devices

  • Student real-time alerting

  • Internet application analytics

  • Classroom management

  • Mobile device management (MDM)

Scope of Services

The list below is intended to provide an overview features and services that Granbury ISD is requesting for an Internet content filtering solution. Any modules shall be included to perform the following features:

  1. Internet Content Filter

    ◦ Integration with Microsoft Active Directory (user and groups)

    ◦ SSL decryption for multiple operating systems - without the need for proxies, PAC files, or trust certificates

    ◦ Client smart agents

    ◦ Filtering both on and off campuses

    ◦ Different Internet content filtering rules available based on Microsoft Active Directory group memberships.

    ◦ Granular YouTube controls

    ◦ BYOD/IoT filtering

    ◦ After-school controls

    ◦ Flagging and alerts

    ◦ Allow/block lists

    ◦ Lockout controls

    ◦ Custom block pages

    ◦ Custom white/blacklists

    ◦ Social media controls

    ◦ Search controls

    ◦ Data dashboard

    ◦ Secure, sharable reports

    ◦ User-level activity reporting

    ◦ YouTube reporting

    ◦ Search reporting

    ◦ Google Docs reporting

    ◦ Social media reporting

    ◦ Parent reports

    ◦ Safe search

    ◦ Flagged activity reports

    ◦ Audit Log

    ◦ Automatic Updates

    ◦ Device Detective geolocation

    ◦ Comprehensive and accurate analysis and reporting:

      i. Web activity

      ii. Typed content

      iii. Internet searches

      iv. Google Docs reporting

      v. YouTube

      vi. Online docs

      vii. Social media reporting

      viii. Parent reports

      ix. Social media

  2. Student Real-time Alerting

    ◦ Custom flagged keywords lists

    ◦ Real-time alerts with notification scheduling and screenshots of students' online activity

    ◦ Web, email, chat, search engine, and social media monitoring

    ◦ Content filter integration

    ◦ Advanced AI monitoring identifies students at risk

    ◦ Set custom alert notifications

    ◦ More multi-OS and browser support than any competitor

    ◦ Admin roles for case assignment

    ◦ Historical user reports

    ◦ Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace for Education monitoring

    ◦ Powerful trend report dashboards

    ◦ Human Review with custom escalation list

  3. Internet Application Analytics

    ◦ Granular reporting

    ◦ License usage reports

    ◦ Cost and ROI reports

    ◦ Usage tracking

    ◦ Comprehensive dashboard

    ◦ Data privacy & security analysis

    ◦ Install and set up without end user interaction

    ◦ Works in every browser

    ◦ Does not require hardware

    ◦ Works across Mac, Chrome, Windows, and iOS devices

    ◦ Shareable via secure link

    ◦ Shared links can be set to expire

    ◦ Reports on Internet app and application

  4. Classroom Management

    ◦ Screen viewing

    ◦ Heatmaps

    ◦ List view of student activity

    ◦ Sorting and filtering options

    ◦ Lock devices, remotely

    ◦ Record students' screens

    ◦ Link sharing

    ◦ Track URL history

    ◦ Custom web access zones

    ◦ Scheduling

    ◦ Co-teaching compatible

    ◦ Enable internet access upon task completion

    ◦ Teacher admin control

    ◦ Online help and training

    ◦ Disable internet access

  5. Mobile Device Management (MDM)

    ◦ Multi-OS Support

    ◦ App Management

    ◦ Self-Service App Portal

    ◦ Policy Restrictions

    ◦ Timed Policies

    ◦ Manage on and off-campus

    ◦ iOS, Mac, Windows

    ◦ Device location

    ◦ Real-time dashboards & reports

    ◦ User/device reports

    ◦ Single app mode

    ◦ Inventory reports

    ◦ Wi-Fi auto-join Touchless wipe

    ◦ Remote configuration

    ◦ Automatic load-balancing & fault tolerance

    ◦ Battery indicators

    ◦ Password clear/reset

    ◦ Integration with Apple App Store

    ◦ Office 365 integration

    ◦ Policy inheritance

    ◦ Windows error reporting

    ◦ Bluetooth control

    ◦ Device status updates

    ◦ Single sign-on