Unblock Wikipedia from Loudoun County Public Schools

The Issue

I am in an independent science research class, and when I attempted to access information from wikipedia, I was presented with an error screen informing me that the website was unavailable due to the fact that it was categorized as "forums.blogs". Several of my classmates have also faced this issue while conducting research, therefore limiting the amount of information available to them. It has become apparent that the Wikipedia website is blocked for all chrome book users across Loudoun County. The Loudoun County Public Schools administration must allow students to have access to wikipedia so they have the opportunity to learn. Wikipedia is one of the primary sources of information in this day and age, and although it has a negative reputation for being unreliable, it has become much more secure and accurate recently. It is an excellent provider of basic information, and covers almost every topic imaginable. There appears to be no logical reason to prevent students from accessing the site other than the stigma surrounding it, which has been removed since the site has gained more credibility. It is a harmless site that provides vast education for those who are instructed to conduct their own research on a topic, and by blocking the site, students are being denied valuable information that is relevant to their education. If students are granted access to wikipedia, they will have the ability to explore and expand their knowledge of the world around them. 

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The Issue

I am in an independent science research class, and when I attempted to access information from wikipedia, I was presented with an error screen informing me that the website was unavailable due to the fact that it was categorized as "forums.blogs". Several of my classmates have also faced this issue while conducting research, therefore limiting the amount of information available to them. It has become apparent that the Wikipedia website is blocked for all chrome book users across Loudoun County. The Loudoun County Public Schools administration must allow students to have access to wikipedia so they have the opportunity to learn. Wikipedia is one of the primary sources of information in this day and age, and although it has a negative reputation for being unreliable, it has become much more secure and accurate recently. It is an excellent provider of basic information, and covers almost every topic imaginable. There appears to be no logical reason to prevent students from accessing the site other than the stigma surrounding it, which has been removed since the site has gained more credibility. It is a harmless site that provides vast education for those who are instructed to conduct their own research on a topic, and by blocking the site, students are being denied valuable information that is relevant to their education. If students are granted access to wikipedia, they will have the ability to explore and expand their knowledge of the world around them. 

The Decision Makers

LCPS Administration
LCPS Administration

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Petition created on September 30, 2019