California Pre-Schoolers Getting Tracking Devices
from the let-the-computer-watch-'em dept
Apparently pre-schoolers in Contra Costa County are going to learn from an early age to get used to the idea that their every move will be tracked relentlessly. They're all going to get special jerseys to wear that contain an RFID tag, which will track the kids whereabouts at all times. The claim is it will even track "whether they've eaten or not," though I'm not quite sure how that works. The idea is that this will "free up teachers and administrators who previously had to note on paper files when a child was absent or had eaten." While I'm generally all for technology that makes processes more efficient, I'm not quite sure it makes sense to go full-on Big Brother here. Aren't there better technological solutions for tracking attendance and food intake. What about having the kid (or their parents) sign them in via a computer check-in (which is what I do with my kid)? As a parent, frankly, I don't think I'd be comfortable with a preschool tagging my kid with a tracking device.Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.
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Filed Under: california, preschool, students, tracking
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Here's a thought ..
Just my $0.02 ..
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Re: Here's a thought ..
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Re: Here's a thought ..
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Re:
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Next
It's for the child's own good, you know.
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Re: Next
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Huh?
Perhaps this is because I'm not yet a parent (that I know of....), but what are you doing this for? Is he logging in when he gets home and signing in to make sure he/she's back by curfew? Or are we talking about the Facebook check in thingy so when he/she says their going to the theatre you know they aren't actually going to the liquor store?
Dark Helmet confused....
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Re: Huh?
Dark Helmet stupid....
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Re: Re: Huh?
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Re: Re: Re: Huh?
Hey....I'm *kinda* a parent....of my two dogs I mean. Plus, they're chipped.
....Great, add hypocrite to the list as well, I guess....
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Re: Re: Re: Re: Huh?
Ha Ha Ha, you have no idea. Wait until you have the two dogs plus kids, it only gets better. I can't remember the last time I slept.
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Re: School
> our children.
Can't really do that in California anymore, either.
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Re: Re: School
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What happens when the kids swap jerseys?
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Re:
Due to all the cameras installed in the school, the entire Board of Education goes to jail for child porn....
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I live in Contra Costa County...
There is a ratio for childcare facilities in each state and for preschool age (3 - 4) in CA its 12 kids per 1 teacher, although with an aide, you can have 18:2. That is so the children are adequately monitored at all times. So if my child is being adequately monitored, you'll know if they ate.
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Don't need a computer
Seriously though, this sounds like someone just trying to find a use for technology where it isn't needed. Then they can brag about having a "high tech tracking system" and charge parents more money.
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How to increase revenue.
I bet the manufacture of the jersey's have a sharing relationship with the school and that sometime in the future old jersey's will not be allowed for some reason like "the chip gets old and stop functioning correctly so you need to buy new ones".
Besides the "think of the children" never gets old apparently.
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Are you commentors REALLY that STUPID???
The chip is being used to TRACK EVENTS that are currently being done by the teacher manually. It is not to WATCH your brat, or track his whereabouts, it is to take free up the time the teacher spends covering their asses for lawsuits from parents that claim their kid didnt eat or their brat didnt get to the bathroom or whatever other bogus complaint.
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Re: Are you commentors REALLY that STUPID???
Was you there in the meeting where those decisions took place?
Those guesses are good as any to what is happening and your stupidity in thinking your point of view is the only one is just shows how stupid you really are.
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Re: Are you commentors REALLY that STUPID???
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Wait a minute...
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Re: Wait a minute...
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Anybody who gets no signal in their little parabolics when it is raining can attest to that.
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Since no one else will do it.
Why do kids need tracking devices again? It's not like any of them are going to get lost. I mean, I read a story of a 3 year old that walked to a fire station, 2 blocks from her home to get help for her dad all by herself.
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Re: Since no one else will do it.
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If they haven't done anything wrong...
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Sudden Rise in Applications
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It's due to the relentless cost-cutting in education
The relentless budget-cutting that has gone on for decades has long past the point of cutting fat. We are cutting meat and bone and this is what it gets you. There is no one to watch the children when they are between classrooms. Teachers are struggling to teach 40 to 50 children at a time, even in the lower grades. Junior high is much more difficult, as this is a time when kids break the rules as a natural part of growing up.
When you read about how a school district is experimenting with using Roombas to teach social studies, you'll know we've reached a new stage in cost cutting. Thank you for your support for your local schools. You get what you don't pay for.
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Re: It's due to the relentless cost-cutting in education
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Re: It's due to the relentless cost-cutting in education
I'm not saying what you describe isn't a problem, but I don't see how that problem results in this "solution".
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Re: switching jerseys
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Big brother
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Set an example
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Agreed on being leery of this tracking thing
That is why I tell people that these things are a parents dream when ONLY the parent can get into them, but a parents nightmare when anyone can get into them.
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Re: Agreed on being leery of this tracking thing
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I love technology but I think a few humans are needed when it comes to looking after our children.
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um...
how about not institutional
warehousing of kids during the
day?
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