With the ’smart cards’ becoming part of some school systems, it is possible to track students and build a personal data base for each and every student. Movements can be tracked. Activities can be tracked. It is possible to know what a student had for lunch on any specific day. Even bathroom usage goes into the data base:

“…The latest addition, smart cards, grants access to the school after homeroom bell and allows administrators to control entry beyond normal school hours — such as opening doors nearest the gym only to basketball players. The cards issued in late November also help the school track the use of bathrooms and computers.

The cards are more than a security precaution, said Principal Maria Poidomani, who hopes to see the IDs become a universal fact of life on campus.”

link: School wired for ’smart cards,’ security, grades

What parent can argue against the very best security for their child during school hours? However, how will these data be used? And with the emphasis on technology and security, it begs the question: ‘why is the school drop out rate so high?’.

Catherine Forsythe

Tags: smart cards, tracking, schools, security, surveillance, drop out rate, data base