Should schools use GPS to track chronic truants?
Anaheim Union High School District is taking a new approach to solving the age-old truancy problem: using GPS to track wayward students.
Times staff writer Nicole Santa Cruz reports that under a six-week pilot program –- the first of its kind in California –- 32 students have voluntarily promised to carry around a cellphone-sized GPS device and check in five times a day: when they wake up, when they get to school, at lunch time, after school and at 8 p.m.
Backers of the program hope that by giving parents and school officials a better idea of where students are — and by giving students a visible incentive to resist peer pressure to skip classes — the GPS can succeed where curfews, strict punishments and even fines for parents have failed.
Some critics, including the ACLU of Southern California, have said it's criminalization of kids. Tethering them to a GPS is Big Brotherish and seems more like a punishment for a sex offender or drunk driver.
But the program has been tested with great success elsewhere. In San Antonio, the district has increased the number of GPS units and mentors to work with students at 22 schools. Grades improved and the attendance rate hit 97% for students in the program.
What do you think? Is this a good way to keep kids from ditching class or is it an invasion of privacy? Tell us your thoughts below.
Photo: Joshua Barron, 14, shows a GPS device at South Junior High School in Anaheim. Credit: Ringo H.W. Chiu / For The Times
EDITOR'S PICKS:
These are kids, underage, and if their parents do not have a problem, then its not an issue. Kids do not have rights!!! They are underage and the responsibility of the parents
These truant kids need accountability and most importnatnly need to know that people care if they are in school. Kids should be in school and wether you may think its an "invasion of privacu" or not, it's better than them being out on the streets.
If we want our youth to grow up and advance, then we need to expect more of them. If they continue to make bad decisions, like ditch class, then they have to" pay the consequence". Having to check in a few times during the day, when you shoudl already be there is not cruel and unusual punishment. Youth is not an excuse for not being held accountable for your actions. As long as this is only occuring during school hours, then i thinks its a great idea and attmept to curb truancy.
I think LAUSD would have been a great pilot location, but im guessing that LAUSD mught have worried about if this made them look bad instead of if this was effective, and im sure the teachers unions would hae complained about it as well.
Posted by: Daniel | February 25, 2011 at 10:21 AM
This is the type of control and excessive spending that has this state bankrupt. Let's hire someone to walk these kids to school.haha
Posted by: Mcgibby | February 25, 2011 at 10:46 AM
Short Answer: No, they should be spending the money on the kids who actually want to be there.
Posted by: Pax | February 25, 2011 at 10:47 AM
Its a parent's job to make sure their kid is in school.
Posted by: jen | February 25, 2011 at 11:00 AM
yes it should!! provided that the parents are made to pay for it up front and not use district or taxpayer money!!!
Posted by: Borchy | February 25, 2011 at 11:13 AM
And how much does this cost? Or maybe I should phrase it differently, "How much more will the schools get in tax dollars when the kids show up for class?" Too bad it's about the money and not the welfare of the student.
Posted by: Misplaced Priorities | February 25, 2011 at 11:28 AM
I think it is great. Speaking as a parent----kids should not expect privacy!
Posted by: Mlynn | February 25, 2011 at 11:34 AM
This is a great way to monitor kids and know where they are at all the time i don't feel that any one should get involved oh that its the "Big Brother" watching you. This is a choice we as parents make if the minor gets in to trouble no one else is going to be responsible but the parent right. So let the parent make the choice and if it helps the student go to school an be responsible and the parent peace of mind then let it be. Its a great idea!!!!!
Posted by: Maria | February 25, 2011 at 12:03 PM
Being the father of 2 boys and one girl, I agree with the gps but!! not to monitor them after hours. That's the parenst job!!! I agree with monirtoring while in school, hours, making sure there in class and not roamimng the halls, or jumping the fence!! I tell my boys the same thing my mom would say to me daily on my way to school " It's your ass if your truant from school and an I LOVE YOU at the end of that!!!
Posted by: G-MAN | February 25, 2011 at 12:24 PM
More wasted money on kids who don't want to be in school or study or learn in the first place. Why would you want to track them down? To bring them back where they don't want to be and allow them to disrupt students who want to be there and learn? Take them off the books so we don't have to pay for them.
Posted by: Grandpa | February 25, 2011 at 12:26 PM
The public schools get tax dollars for every day a student is in class. Keeping them in class and off the streets will also curb crime during school hours and maybe just maybe they will actually learn something in school. The big problem is that most of these kids are bored with school. There needs to be vocational high schools (starting in the 9th grade) where these non-college bound kids can learn a trade. Thinking that every student is college material is ridiculous. Teach them something they will actually use in life if high learning is'nt for them.
Posted by: boochie | February 25, 2011 at 02:59 PM
Yes, sounds like a great idea but the parents should pay for it since it is their responsibility to make sure their children attend school.
Posted by: Jeska Cardoso | February 25, 2011 at 03:32 PM
If these kids don't want to be in school...I certainly don't want them in class with my kids creating a problem or sleeping...School isn't for everyone...
That's why the public school bureaucracy consistently works so poorly...So many stupid, stupid ideas that waste tax dollars...Like this one...
Posted by: TheBigPicture | February 25, 2011 at 03:33 PM
It continues to amaze me that the public continues to blame the teachers for all that is wrong with the public school system except the main people (the parents and their child). The school has become everything to them: free food, free after school programs, free intervention programs, free books to read, and now free wake-up call! Accountability starts at home and you will see the public school system pull out of the hole.
Posted by: DonV | February 25, 2011 at 04:32 PM
My daughters attend a public elementary school. My oldest is gifted, but there's not budget to help her or other kids maximize their potential. I make it my responsibility to have my kids at school everyday (on time), do their homework and respect their teachers and peers. Sorry, but I don't want money wasted on kids and parents failing to do the minimum - show up to school. Put the money towards tutoring or other programs for kids that need and WANT the help.
Posted by: Pete Brown | February 25, 2011 at 04:35 PM
Instead of GPS tracking devices, let's start using a cattle prod on these delinquents
Posted by: u know | February 26, 2011 at 07:16 AM
We need to draw the line between helping and spoon feeding. I am all for helping all children reach their potential, but parents should be somewhat responsible for helping "their" child.
Posted by: ohplease! | February 26, 2011 at 01:36 PM
If the kids don't want to be in school-fine--don't force them to go and disrupt the learning environment for those who want to be there--but maybe they ought to get shipped out to the army boot camp to learn what the real world is like instead.
Parents can pay for their little 'darlings' to get a swift kick in the arse (since they're not willing to do it themselves) and then once the kid is straightened out in a few years...everyone will be better off.
If parents can't/won't control their kids--it's not the taxpayer's job to do it! Spent all that GPS tracking equipment/program $ on the kids who want to learn--you get more *bang* for the educational buck in the long run.
yes, spend the $ on the smart kids who know that education is their only way out of a rathole like anahiem, santa ana, etc.
It's not the taxpayers' job to clean up the mess that bad parenting created. Bill the parents and get rid of the troublemakers!
Posted by: Cyndy Greger | February 26, 2011 at 02:06 PM
So school districts are laying people off, but someone thinks it is a good idea to spend money on devices for kids to carry? Why, Oh yeah, that's right: a child's breathing body, even if he or she does NOTHING in school, still brings in money for each day of attendance, each period of attendance; this is why students who are absent are hounded for notes, which they often write themselves. So, how much does one of these things cost vs. how much is the child's breathing body in class bring in? Just curious.
Think I'll re-read my copy of "Logan's Run."
Posted by: Ocaptainmycaptain | February 26, 2011 at 05:19 PM
We are losing our liberties and doing it to ourselves, and yes, kids do have rights.
You put GPS on prisoners, not kids. No privacy? Think, think, think about what you are saying!! We are a sick, sick country
Posted by: LA Teacher | February 26, 2011 at 07:58 PM