A few weeks ago, Tacoma Public Schools implemented a new internet filtration system. This new internet filter has shown to be a barrier to our education and is making students' lives more challenging.

Invaluable websites such as Wikipedia, Duolingo, the New York Times, EasyBib, and the entirety of the Google Suite (Gmail, Google Drive, Google Docs, etc.) have been completely blocked on the school internet. The restriction of these basic educational websites is creating a roadblock to a variety of assignments. Many students have expressed that they were unable to compile sufficient research during allotted periods of time in class, and had to complete the work outside of school. Some students have even felt the need to purchase VPN services to get around the internet filter in order to complete their school work in school.

According to an insider, the IT department and TPS leadership are requesting a list of all the sites that students need, but there is no realistic way that TPS administration will be able to name every single website we as students require to do basic academic work.

Leadership was informed about the situation and still has not taken any action almost two weeks later.

The old internet filter was efficient and appropriately filtered what we as students could access. The newly-implemented filter is a burden on our education and needs to be removed immediately.