Wireless Access & Hot Spots

The MISD Technology Department provides guest WiFi access as well as hot spots for students if an internet connectivity need is determined.

Requesting a Wireless Hot Spot

• Review the MISD Student Device Usage Handbook.
   
• Contact the student's home campus to request a hot spot. (Each campus has an assigned person that handles hot spot requests.)
   
• The assigned campus contact will go over eligibility criteria to determine if the student qualifies for a hot spot.
  • Hot spot availability, as well as any other arrangements regarding hot spots, are managed by your campus.

Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) Specifications

In instances where students opt to bring personal devices to use onsite for educational needs, they must ensure the device meets the district's compatibility standards before purchasing or bringing a device from home.

To connect to the Internet with these student-owned devices, users may use the district's guest Wi-Fi network.

FCC Emergency Broadband Benefit Program

The Emergency Broadband Benefit will provide a discount of up to $50 per month towards broadband service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer or tablet from participating providers if they contribute more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price.

The Emergency Broadband Benefit is limited to one monthly service discount and one device discount per household. For more information, visit the FCC Broadband Benefit webpage. 

Internet Safety

Congress passed the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) in 2000, tying E-rate program discounts to a school’s Internet safety policy. The FCC requires three elements for compliance: content filtering to prevent access to obscene, pornographic or harmful images; monitoring of online activities of minors; and education in appropriate online behavior and cyber-bullying awareness.

To comply with CIPA, Mansfield ISD employs a variety of methods to manage devices including Internet filtering, Chromebook management and application restrictions. Internet filtering collects information about the sites that students access. If a student attempts to access an  inappropriate site, a block or firewall screen is generated and the filtering software blocks the viewing of the site.

The MISD technology department uses Google management to monitor Chromebook use and
for device inventory. AirWatch, a management software program, is used to monitor iPads. Other management software utilized by the technology staff may be used to monitor and manage applications on the student devices. All students must be on the Mansfield ISD wifi and logged into our systems. (Personal devices must be on the Guest Wi-Fi.) Chromebooks must be logged into Google Chrome at school regardless if it is a district-issued or personal device.