Rules Validation Overview

Rules Validation helps you create effective rules in Classroom Manager by checking for:

• Duplication: The rule you're adding duplicates a rule that already exists in the class or in a rule list in your Rules Library.

• Conflict: The rule you're adding contradicts a class-specific rule, a rule in an active list, or a Locked policy set by your school in Linewize Filter.

• Dependency: The rule would block a website that an allowed app needs to work, or the other way around.

Duplicated rules

Classroom Manager doesn't let you create duplicate rules.

If your new class-specific rule duplicates a duplicated one, a Rule cannot be created message will tell you the rule already exists in the class. To change the existing rule, edit it in the Class-specific rules section.

If you add a rule to a list that already has the same rule, a Rule cannot be created message will tell you the rule already exists in the list.

If you apply a list that contains a rule already in another applied list, the rule in the existing list still applies.

Conflicting rules

A rule conflict is when a rule contradicts another rule or a Locked policy, such as a rule that allows Spotify when you or your school have blocked it. There are several types of conflict, and Classroom Manager guides you to resolve each one.

Locked school policies and class rules

Classroom Manager warns you if the rule you're adding conflicts with a Locked policy. Rules can't override Locked policies in Linewize Filter, so the rule only applies to students not affected by the Locked policy.

Rules in the same list

If you add an opposing rule for something already in a list, the new rule replaces the old one. For example, adding a Block rule for Facebook replaces an Allow rule for Facebook in that list.

Class-specific rules and list rules

A class-specific rule takes priority over a rule from a Rules Library list. When they conflict, the list rule appears with an Overridden label in the Active Rules tab, and a warning icon appears on the tab and next to the list.

Rules in different active lists

When two active lists conflict, the rule from the list applied first keeps working. The other list's rule won't apply until you resolve the conflict. Any rules that don't conflict will still apply.

To fix these conflicts, see Resolve rule conflicts in a class.

Group signatures and required websites

Group signatures such as games, documents, and programs, need other websites to work. These are called required websites. You can't block a required website while allowing the group signature that needs it, or the other way around.

For example, the IXL group signature depends on ABCya. If IXL is allowed in a class or a list, Classroom Manager stops you from adding a Block rule for ABCya. Instead, a Rule cannot be activated or Rule cannot be created message explains that IXL requires ABCya. To fix this, allow both or block both.