1. If approved, what would a proposal by Maryland's Prince George's County Board of Ed allow it to do with students' and teachers' work? Be specific.

2. Why do Board of Ed officials say they have proposed this new policy?

3. a) What does Kevin Welner, a professor at University of Colorado, think Prince George's Board of Ed real motive is for proposing the new policy?
b) Why doesn't he think the policy, if implemented, will affect teacher behavior?
c) Do you agree with Mr. Welner? Explain your answer. (Ask a few teachers the same question.)

4. a) What does the policy actually say?
b) What explanation did Board Chair Verjeana Jacobs give when questioned about concerns over the proposal?
c) Ms. Jacobs said “We want the district to get the recognition...not take their work.” Should a school district get recognition for work that one of their teachers or students produces? Would the district not be recognized without an official policy giving them ownership of the work? Explain your answers.

5. Peter Jaszi, a law professor with the Glushko-Samuelson Intellectual Property Law Clinic at American University, called the proposal in Prince George’s “sufficiently extreme.” Jaszi said the policy sends the wrong message to students about respecting copyright. He also questioned whether the policy, as it applies to students, would be legal. He said there would have to be an agreement between the student and the board to allow the copyright of his or her work. "A company or organization cannot impose copyright on someone [just] by saying it is so,” Jaszi said. “That seems to be the fundamental difficulty with this.”
Do you think the Board should reconsider this policy, or put it on its agenda for a vote?

6. a) How does Mongomery County's policy on materials created by teachers or students differ from the policy proposed by Prince Georges County?
b) Do you think this is a better policy? Explain your answer.