Category 7 – Compliance with Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA), Subcategories 7.1–7.1.2

Category 7 is unique in that it focuses on technology use in instructional materials. Note that if a material is designated as “print only,” meaning that it is not provided in a digital format, then Category 7 would not apply. However, if any aspect of materials has a digital component that is teacher, student, or parent-facing, then it must be compliant with Category 7.

This category is the only part of the rubric that is addressed both in TEC and federal statute (TEC §31.1011(a)(1)(B)(i); USC §54.520). In 7.1, the rubric notes that the TEC permits districts to be compliant with the federal statute.

Subcategories 7.1–7.1.2

7.1.1 requires that digital images are not obscene, pornographic, or harmful. While we saw similar language earlier in the rubric, here it is specifically applied to digital or computer-generated images. So, if you see digital images in the materials that do not adhere to suitability requirements, this would be the correct subcategory to report.
7.1.2 demands that content is age-appropriate and aligned with the intended audience’s maturity. Again, while similar requirements are found in other areas of the rubric, here it specifically considers digital content, whether used online or offline.