In September of last year, MCPS decided to block the 'accounts.google' page on Chromebooks, preventing students from signing into any other email account other than those issued by the school. The laptops are powered by Google Chrome OS, and function only with internet access.
The blocked page has become a hassle for many students. When they complete work at home on their personal accounts, switching from one to the other is nearly impossible to do at school.
MCPS Chief Security Officer Peter Cevenini explained that the blocking of the page was done to protect students. "We're always looking to tighten up our security. We're trying to lock things down. Your normal student email account is a closed system so that you can only email teachers and fellow students in Montgomery County and that's a protection practice,” he explained...
http://silverchips.mbhs.edu/story/13708
Kudos to MCPS CTO Mr. Cevenini for protecting MCPS students from the tracking, adds and distractions that come with a personal Gmail account. There is no reason whatsoever for students to be accessing personal Google accounts during school hours. Students can access their MCPS Google accounts from home. So the scenario where they "complete work on their personal account" makes little sense. They can and should do school work on school accounts while at home, or transfer homework from a personal to a school account at home or using a USB.
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