Friday, September 26, 2003

Cameras Watching Students, Especially in Biloxi. Fears of violence have spurred a trend to outfit public schools with the same surveillance cameras used in Wal-Marts to catch thieves. By Sam Dillon. [New York Times: Education] "They should be teaching them to behave not because a camera is on them, but because it's the right thing to do."  (In response to the notion of putting digital surveilance cameras in the classrooms.)--Well said. We have these same digital cameras in our hallways, and I'm glad they're there. They didn't help us identify the kid who pulled the fire alarm the other day, though. Apparently there are some corners that the camera just misses. And  this happens to be where the fire alarm is. Anyway, cameras good--but definitely not in the classroom. Look, if there is a trusted adult in the room who knows how to monitor the room, then if anything happens, he/she is going to witness it and be able to give an accurate account of what happened. If not, there's bound to be one honest kid in the room. Do we really want big-brother watching us teach? Apparently they do in Biloxi. The question is, if such cameras became a standard presene in the classroom, what more would become their use, administrators kicking back in their offices, watching a monitor, and scribbling down their annual evals?...It seems there is a parallel between this and what is going on in Washington. We're becoming so paranoid about the worst-case scenario, that we are willing to violate privacy to try to prevent it. Can you say "Home-room Security"? 7:34:35 PM    comment []

Thought for the day: What would happen if we did away with compulsory education, or rather lowered the age to say, 14. Currently young people up to age 16 are required by law to stay in school. Yet, even after 16, there is a strong push to keep the kids in school no matter how hard the kid works at trying to get out. The assumption is that dropping out of school is a sure first step towards a ruined and miserable life of regret. You know, school isn't the end-all be-all. And why not allow a kid who hates school, and refuses to attend class or learn anything, to leave, get a job, learn first-hand that he's not going to get too far without an education, then let him back in when he finally sees the real value of an education and wants to apply himself. And, hey, if he drops out and yet becomes a success, are we insecure that that proves that education really isn't everything? 6:52:16 PM    comment []