Thinking about skipping class? I’d think again…
We all know what GPSs are and it’s likely most of us have used them at least once in our lives. GPS stands for Global Positioning System. It’s a satellite-navigation system made up of a network of 24 satellites placed into orbit by the U.S. Department of Defense (garmin). Around the 1980s, the system was made available for civilian use. Since then, GPS has been used for a number of things; from personal car navigation to mapping, construction, and surveying uses (Aero). The latest use of GPS has been to track students who skip school. Thanks to this new elaborate system, truancy and skipping class are being rapidly eliminated in participating school districts.
The “Attendance Improvement Management (AIM) Truancy Solutions has developed a walkie-talkie-sized GPS tracking device that is able to follow students’ locations,” (eschoolnews). Through this new use of GPS technology, the program hopes to not only reduce truancy problems within the school district, but also to increase school district revenue through increased attendance (aimforattendance). President Travis Knox states “Truancy is an enormous challenge in our country, with devastating consequences. Students who are frequently absent from school are more likely to drop out, which leads to joblessness, crime, and prison. By addressing the problem, we get students back on track to graduate and make a direct impact on our country’s crime rate” (aimforattendance).
So how does this work? Every school day students will receive an automated phone call reminder that they need to arrive to school and they also need to make sure they’re on time. After they get to school, they are then required to enter a unique identification code that tracks their location. This happens 5 times throughout the day; as they leave for school, when they arrive, at lunchtime, when they leave school, and at 8pm. In addition to this new use of GPS technology, the students are also assigned an adult mentor or “coach” who calls them at least three times a week to see how everything is going and to find effective ways to get to school if the student is struggling (msnbc). If a student enters their code and they’re not where they are supposed to be, the GPS provides a way to find that student.
While some might argue that this form of correctional behavior seems excessive and invasive, the program is entirely optional. The incentive to joining the program is 1) obviously a better education and social environment for the student, and 2) a way for students to avoid continuation school or prosecution. In addition parents can be subjected to certain legal actions if they turn a blind eye to their child’s truancy. The program is also free because according to msnbc schools lose about $35 per day for each absent student. The program will in turn pay for itself and possibly return a profit if students return to class consistently (msnbc).
I was skeptical at first to how effective this program could be and if students and parents would actually participate. But when I saw the success rate, I was convinced. In schools where the GPS technology has been put to use, the average attendance for each has increased from 77 to 95% in addition to an improvement in grades and fewer behavioral issues (eschoolnews and msnbc). This is a great use of technology in my opinion and should be implemented wherever possible.
-Alexa Cavacchioli
Works Cited
Attendance Improvement Management. Web. 18 Mar. 2011.
"Garmin | What Is GPS?" Web. 18 Mar. 2011.
Golijan, Rosa. "Schools Use GPS to Track Students Who Skip." Technolog. 18 Feb. 2011. Web. 18 Mar. 2011.
"Uses for GPS." The Aerospace Corporation. Web. 18 Mar. 2011.
Zwang10, Jenna. "Uses for GPS." The Aerospace Corporation. 10 Mar. 2011. Web. 18.
I think that this is a great representation of how far IT has come in the world today, and how it could be used to improve society. I never would have thought something like GPS could be used to improve school attendance, but the numbers do not lie. For those schools who participate I am sure that this program is generally accepted not only by teachers, parents, and administrators, but students as well. While this technology is great, however, I believe it can only make a major impact it is accepted by the population of an entire area or region. Even if one school district improves their attendance, other schools in an area may not use the attendance technology. The schools who dont use the technology will have students who skip class and still cause or influence community problems. Even though it seems like a great idea/plan, I don't see whole areas or regions of students/parents willing to volunteer for this program.
ReplyDeleteI was really impressed when I read this post at how innovatively people are using technology these days and also with how effective the program is. I think it is a really creative use of GPS, and it is even better that it seems to be improving school attendance. It does seem rather invasive, though, and I'm not sure I can see any student willingly volunteering for this program. However, if it is mandated for for entire schools, I think it's a great use of IT to improve school systems.
ReplyDeleteThis is a very interesting use of GPS systems. From the numbers, it seems that it has been successful in some areas. However, it seems invasive to me and I personally would not volunteer to have a device track me throughout the school day. I think the device might track the students too often and seems a bit excessive. They get a phone call every single morning, a device that tracks them 5 different times throughout the day, and a phone call checking in on their general status 3 times a week. It seems to be a lot, but if it has worked in some school systems, something about it must be right. It just does not seem like something that students would particularly like. I can see how parents and teachers would like this idea, because it improves student attendance tremendously. However, I think there should be some kind of incentive for using the tracking system if they really want it to be successful, because I wouldn’t imagine many students volunteering to use it. I think that this is a very innovative use of IT, and shows that our world is becoming more comfortable with technology and developing so many different uses of it.
ReplyDeleteWhile the numbers may look good, I can help but think that what I am reading about is a prison. Checking in 5 times a day? Having a "mentor" who checks up on you 3 times a week? Sounds more to me like a parole officer and his parolee. Truancy may be a problem for some, but it is not for all. Those who have problems in school and with grades may be the ones enrolled i n this program, but what if this becomes the norm for all schools to implement? I went to a private high school with strict rules and frowned upon absence, but there are days and times that kids just don't want to go to school. Skipping class a few times does not make you a truant. It makes you a kid. A phrase I hear thrown around a lot is "Too much of a good thing is bad for you." Well, school is a good thing...
ReplyDeleteTracking students attendance seems like a very controversial subject. Personally, I think it infringes on a lot of the privacy rights students have. Like everyone else pointed out, it seems a little invasive. Checking in with the system 5 times a day and checking in with your mentor 3 times a week? While this system might be useful in school districts that are struggling with school attendance as a whole, I think it is a little excessive for your average school.
ReplyDeleteI am curious to know more about the schools mentioned in the article, because I find it hard to believe that so many students would be willing to participate. It seems like it would either come down to students being forced to participate by parents/guardians or students who want to participate. For the former, I believe that the success of the program would rely solely on the student. Either such a system would force the student to clean up their act, which would encourage future use of the program, or it lead the student to rebel even more. As for the latter student who would want to participate in such a program, I don't think they necessarily need it. After all, who really wants to be constantly checked up on to make sure they are attending classes? Aren't parents enough?
Nonetheless, I think that this is a very interesting use of information technology. I am eager to see how this program develops. Although I think it could be very controversial for some parents and students, I also believe it could prove very effective for some students. The statistics show it. In the end, however, it ultimately comes down to the personality of the student.