ENA and content filtering categories for the Indianapolis Public Schools

Based on Content Filtering Categories for the Indianapolis Public Schools opt-in listed at http://www.ena.com/help/BlueCoat/InSchools/, anything with a single asterisk (*) is content that is blocked by Indianapolis Public Schools.  Anything with a double asterisk (**) is always allowed by Indianapolis Public Schools.  On this page, it is also stated that, "Websites that are categorized in this way are always allowed regardless of multiple categorizations."

Now, let's break that down a bit.  Concerning Atheism, Paganism, Wicca, etc., those sites are listed in a category with a single asterisk with an explanation of, "Sites that promote and provide information on alternative spiritual and non-religious ideologies such as atheism, agnosticism, witchcraft, and Satanism. Occult practices, voodoo rituals or any other form of mysticism are represented here. This includes sites that endorse or offer methods, means of instruction, or other resources to affect or influence real events through the use of spells, may vary from innocuous to extreme."

However, it was discovered that categories which are marked with a double asterisk have the potential of still allowing Atheist, Pagan, and Wiccan information if the sites included fall into the category that is marked with the double asterisk. 

The categories that are marked with a double asterisk are:

Education**

Sites that offer educational information, distance learning, or trade school information or programs. Also includes sites that are sponsored by schools, educational facilities, faculty, or alumni groups.

Examples: education-world.com, ed.gov, nyu.edu

 

For Kids**

Sites designed specifically for children. This category is used in conjunction with other categories - it is not a stand-alone category.

Examples: kids.yahoo.com, playhousedisney.com

 

Health**

Sites that provide advice and information on general health such as fitness and well-being, personal health or medical services, drugs, alternative and complimentary therapies, medical information about ailments, dentistry, optometry, general psychiatry, self-help, and support organizations dedicated to a disease or condition.

Examples: cvs.com, webmd.com

 

Reference**

Sites containing personal, professional, or educational reference, including online dictionaries, maps, census, almanacs, library catalogues, genealogy-related sites and scientific information.

Examples: dictionary.reference.com, encarta.msn.com (broken link), familysearch.org

Most of the above referenced site examples do have results when a search for Atheist, Pagan, Wiccan, etc. is performed.  Therefore, according to the statement made regarding the double asterisk and multiple categorization, information can be found for those types of topics.

Does this mean that we should be happy with that?  No, that's certainly not what is being said here.  It's still considered discriminatory to block out one religion over another on a school's computer.  However, based on a previous article, Dr. White of IPS has stated that is not what's happening and that ALL religions are being blocked. 

Without access to an IPS school computer, however, it will be difficult to determine whether or not what he says is true. 

Another company that should be contacted is ENA; the company responsible for the web filtering service.  As much as IPS should be open-minded about the subject of alternate religions, so should ENA.

Related Articles:

Indianapolis Public Schools censor Pagan web content as well as other groups

Questions to ask Dr. Eugene White, Superintendent of Indianapolis Public Schools

Response from Dr. Eugene White, Indianapolis Public Schools Superintendent