It was only a matter of time. In order to keep kids coming to class, the Anaheim Union High School District is implementing a controversial new system: giving out GPS units for students to track there whereabouts. It's honestly not as invasive as it sounds at first, but it's still pushing the envelope of "comfort" and "privacy." The system is designed to hand out tracking devices to students and parents if the kid (in 7th or 8th grade) has over four unexcused absences this year. If the parents and kid agrees, they're given a cellphone-sized GPS device that asks them to check-in at various times during the day -- all a way to help them avoid skipping class.
It's still quite odd, and will likely take some getting used to. Obviously, not everyone is totally supportive of the measure, but we have to ask: if your kid was skipping class constantly, would you want something like this in his/her pocket?
Each student with a tracker also gets a coach who calls them at least three times per week to see how things are going. The school district feels that kids who skip class are way more likely to join a gang or otherwise get into trouble, so keeping them in the classroom is good for a number of reasons. The good news is that this is a volunteer program, and it's designed to teach better habits rather than to feel like punishment.
It's still quite odd, and will likely take some getting used to. Obviously, not everyone is totally supportive of the measure, but we have to ask: if your kid was skipping class constantly, would you want something like this in his/her pocket?
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