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Kids who skip school are tracked by GPS

7/3/2011

24 Comments

 
In Anaheim in California students who regularly skip school are assigned a GPS tracking device to carry. The reasons are justified on a cost basis. Read all about it at http://www.ocregister.com/news/school-288730-students-program.html and comment whether:
a) It is a justifiable expense for the school - why/why not
b) Is it a reasonable cost - $18,000 - too much/ok/too little, why
c) Could the money be better spent elsewhere - if yes where? if no why is it a good use of funds?
d) Does it breach the students right to privacy - whose decision should it be?
Due Monday March 14, 2011
24 Comments
Ansa
8/3/2011 02:15:03 am

I think that this is very unacceptable because people should have the right to be free and not have a tracking device.

Reply
Ansa
8/3/2011 02:29:59 am

A) I think it is justible because then the school can see what the person is doing and not get into any mischeif.

B) $18,000 is ok for a school because they make alot of money, and schools are always rich.

C) it is a good use of funds because they can see what school students are doing.

D) yes I think it does invade their privacy, it should be their parents decision and their decision.

Yours sincerely Ansa :)

Reply
Marcus
8/3/2011 03:07:08 am

This is quite possibly the most ridiculous waste of time and money that i've ever heard of.

Not only is what i've just mentioned, it is also stupid, for lack of a better word.

$18000 for this? Hopefully this is a joke.
Freedom seems to be seldom heard of adolescents lately; it is probably the reason why half of them are suffering anxiety for the most part of their teenage life.

And its obvious that this 'Union High School District' hasn't realised something that is extremely obvious. If these kids are skipping school so often, could it be that they don't belong in school, or that there not even mature enough for secondary school? 'To remind them to wake up'... By them an alarm. Surely that won't cost $18000.
But really, why waste money on kids who don't want to be their in the first place?
Oh, and personally, i think the whole 'loosing $35 a day for every student that doesn't show up' is a load of everyone knows what.

These people should start thinking about using the money on something useful, rather than what they think is a breakthrough innovation, that essentially just does a good job of invading teenagers privacy. Quality of canteen food? Physical Education? Maybe something that will actually be beneficial.

These kids need to either leave school, or find another one.

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Lahiru
8/3/2011 04:21:04 am

A) It is justifiable since the school has a responsibility to look after their students.

B) It is a reasonable cost because schools are rich in general, so they can easily afford an amount such as that.

Reply
Lahiru
8/3/2011 04:24:06 am

EDIT

C) No, it is a good use of funds becuase it insures that the students are safe and the school knows where they are.

D) It is a breech of privacy although, these devices should only be given to the students who have consistently been skipping school and have had unexplained absences.

Reply
nicole
8/3/2011 08:07:58 am

a) yes in the way that it helps them save money on kids skipping school and makes sure they go. No because they could use it on other things that are more needed to help the kids learn.
b)I think that's a lot of money taken out of things that could make school more enjoyable for kids. And if you add this to other schooling expenses it becomes rediculously large.
c)No, i believe it will be a better use for equipment needed in class and around the school.
d)I think it is a breach of the students privacy and what if someone unresponsible gets their hands on this technology, it becomes unsafe for the students. I believe it should be a shared choice between the child and their parents, with teachers influence.

Reply
lucas
8/3/2011 10:22:01 am

Yes i think it is justiiable becuase kids who skip school are generally not doing the right thing, so this could help parents and schools find out what they are doing. However some kids always attend school and do the right thing and teachers could be abusing the trackers and using them for other reasons.
2)$18 000 is alot of money which could be used for other things, that help benefit, kids learning.
3)Yes and no becuase yes it does help track thoe who are upto trouble and no becuase they could spend these funds on better equipment which will keep kids entertained and they wont skip school.
4)yes it is a breach of the students privacy and if teachers abuse the power they have gained by tracking these kids then some kids could be in alot trouble. This should be a combined decision by the parents and teachers.

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gibb
8/3/2011 10:56:36 am

my opinion on this topic is that i dont agree with tracking device towards students, i think tracking them is not giving them privacy. i do believe that students should come to class on time, but with a different punishment but not GPS, its just a waste of money. in some way i agree that parents are responsible for there children coming late to class, parents should make sure that they go to school on time.

a) i think it is justifiable, because it lets them know where there students are and what they are doing.
b) 18,000 could be use for other things besides the gps, they could be use for educational materials for the students who do wanna learn.
c) yes, on more school equipment such as liabray books, sport equipment, computers etc.
d) yes its a breach of students privacy, it should be the students or parents decision

Reply
Jack Beedaman
9/3/2011 04:31:40 am

Tracking devices -_-
Seriously???

WHAT???

This, is the stupidest idea i have ever heard. What did we do in the times before mobile phones and GPS's? We didn't, we actually had trust. I'm all for technology, but this is taking it too far.

A Source Study:
Gilroy College: 1200 Students
GPS: $150
Cost: $180,000
...speaks for itself

Having things like GPSes is all well and good to stop the <1% of people missing school, but maybe a more worthy investment would benefit the 99%> people who actually want to learn

There isnt many people who skip school, so lets help those who do attend.

My two cents
peace

Reply
terence
9/3/2011 12:42:15 pm

a) It is a justifiable expense for the school - why/why not

No because all that money could go to better things such as health care or new learning technology or equipment

b) Is it a reasonable cost - $18,000 - too much/ok/too little, why

This is too much multiply this by how many kids wag school equals alot of money wasted when i could go to help poor people.

c) Could the money be better spent elsewhere - if yes where? if no why is it a good use of funds?

it could be better spent eg compensation for families whos family members have been killed in action over seas in iraq and afghanistan

d) Does it breach the students right to privacy - whose decision should it be

yes it does breach students right to privacy, gps tracking should be reserved for law enforcement agencies not schools as there are many pedophiles in schools etc

Reply
Ekua
10/3/2011 01:05:11 pm

a)I think it's a justifiable expense as it keeps track of where and what students are doing while they are at school. It also makes sure that they are not getting up to any mischief when they are supposed to be at school.

b)$18 000 is a fair bit of money which could be better used to benefit the students learning.

c)The money could be also used to purchase equiptment which other students could benefit from. Eg books, sport equiptment etc

d)I think it is a breach of the students privacy as they do not need to be monitored 24/7. If the child dosen't want to attend school it is something that they needs to decided with their parents and or teachers so something other than that can be arranged for them to do.

Reply
Fiona
11/3/2011 04:08:48 pm

a) I think it is a justifiable expense because it shows where the students are at all times and makes them start attending school more often. In time these small GPS's will help the community with extra people in the work force and less unemployment rate.
b) I think it's overpriced. The money seems a bit expensive. Although it's going to a good cause, im sure there's a cheaper alternative.
c) Yes, the money could be better spent making a larger group of students WANT to attend school, instead of targeting specific children and forcing them to come. Maybe the school could run programs or improve the overall school vibe.
d) Yes it does breach the student's privacy because it's attached to them most of the day. It should be the students AND parents decision that they wear the GPS and that they are monitered.

Reply
Aisha
13/3/2011 09:50:22 am

a) I think it is a justifiable expense because it keeps the students out of trouble and if they are skipping school then the school will be able to find out where they are but it also isnt a justifiable expense because it may not always work and it is an invasion of privacy.

b)I think that for 300-400 dollars for each student is too much money just to make sure that one student is coming to school and $18000 would only cater for about 60 students so it would be pointless and the money could be used for something else.

c)I think it would be better used for other things around the school.

d)It is a breach of privacy as America is a free country and its citizens shouldnt have to be monitored.

Reply
ally davis
13/3/2011 11:32:30 am

a) this is a justifiable expense as it keeps the students of the school out of trouble and causing mischeif just incase they are bludging school, but still this may be seen as an invasion of privacy towards some.
b) reasonable price because schools are always rich anyways
c) it probably would be use for more useful things around the school
d) i think it does breach a level or privacy and it morally wrong and students dont need to be monitored in this way. it should be students and schools decision

Reply
Tim
14/3/2011 10:57:31 am

Okay now that is both disturbing and unethical. There are other means of finding out a students whereabouts then stalking them with a spy satellite, such as employing people to wander the shopping centers looking for them

Reply
Kasey
14/3/2011 11:13:34 am

I believe that yes this is justifiable as it can relieve parents of the worry of where there kids are and what they are doing and it can also benefit the child in the long run by preventing them from getting themselves into trouble within their childhood. On the other hand i believe that this large sum of money could be put towards better uses, at the end of the day the teachers have a responsibility only when the child is within school grounds other than that i believe the parent takes over any other responsibility. The cost is completely unnecessary as for the purposes the item would be used for. The money could be better spent on better quality classrooms or teaching equipment for the students that actually attend school and want to learn! I believe yes it does reach the students right of privacy and it should be a mutual decision between the child and the parent.

Reply
Eleanor
14/3/2011 12:40:40 pm

It is not a justifiable expense for the school. The school should not have to waste time and money tracking down children, if they don't want to be there, their parents should send them somewhere else, perhaps somewhere stricter, like boarding school, get to the bottom of the problem - WHY aren't they going ?
It is a waste of money, far too much to pay, may as well send them to boarding school.
The school or parents could put the money to much better use: tutors, councilors.
It does breach their right to privacy, at a certain age they should be able to make their own decisions.

Reply
Nick
14/3/2011 02:57:46 pm

a) It is not a justifiable expense because money could be spent elsewhere to improve other things.

b) $18,000 what rubbish, this money can be spent better.

c) Yes it can be better spent elsewhere on better education and more resources.

d) Yes it does invade their privacy, they shouldn't have to worry of there school tracking their location at all times.

Reply
Thomas
14/3/2011 03:19:21 pm

This is such a stupid idea, stupid because its just a waste of money and such a breach of freedom

a) It is a justifiable expense for the school - no the money can be spent on something more important and this would only raise issues and problems for the school.
b) Is it a reasonable cost - $18,000 - not a reasonable cost, money could go to something else, stupid idea.
c) Could the money be better spent elsewhere - yes, to improve the school, sporting, music, art etc.
d) Does it breach the students right to privacy - YES

Reply
zac
14/3/2011 03:37:30 pm

a)No because it is a waste of money and against morals and rights.

b)it is a ok price

C)yes the money could be spent on air cons and school supplies

d)yes it breaches their privacy and it should be the parents decision

Reply
kalmer henrico
14/3/2011 04:06:13 pm

a) It is not a justicable expense for the school, the school could be using that money on something better which will make children want to come to school, instead of treating them like animals.
b)It is an okay price considering that it can be used for a purpose which can be very helpful
c) yes, it could be spent on things like pool for the school, better equipment
d)OFCOURSE it breaches the kids privacy, they shouldnt be monitored like that, their parents are there for a reason adn should be their decision.

Reply
ryan
19/5/2011 03:49:01 pm

a) i think it is justifiable, because it lets them know where there students are and what they are doing.
b) the money could be use for other things besides the gps, they could be use it for educational purposes to help students out which are willing to put the effort in.
c) yes, on more school equipment such as books in the library, equipment for sport, jerseys for sport team and many other suggestions.
d) yes it breaches on kids privacy, it should be parents decision because its their kids

Reply
Alec
20/5/2011 04:59:32 am

Tracking devices are a waste of time and they are a invasion of privacy, also what would stop the students from just slipping the gps of their legs and skipping school

Reply
irene
11/6/2011 06:39:09 am

i believe that using tracking device has its good and bad points. for parents it lets them no where their kids are, so if they pay sckool fees for instance, they wont be wasting their money. but on the other hand it is completely violating their privacy. so in conclusion, i believe even though it saves money, even though it may keep more kids in school, it is still not ethical.

Reply



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