Webcams in Classrooms -- Interesting

[CrimsonTide4]

What do you think?!!?!?


Mississippi School District Uses Webcams

By DEBORAH BULKELEY
.c The Associated Press

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - Students in Biloxi public schools started classes this week under the watchful eye of Webcams that will keep track of every classroom and hallway.

School and security officials said they believed Biloxi is one of the first districts in the nation to install cameras in every classroom.

Biloxi started installing the cameras two years ago, and now that the project is complete, there are more than 500 cameras in district schools, said Deputy Superintendent Robert Voles.

The cameras, which don't record sound, are contained in circular domes on the ceiling, giving a sweeping view of the classroom. Administrators can view the images on the Internet by entering a password.

Voles said the camera installation is a precaution, and that students and teachers have said they feel safer. The cameras were paid for with casino revenue received by the district, which has 6,500 students.

``They've been well received in the community,'' he said. ``We have not had any problems or complaints whatsoever.''

Roy Balentine of CameraWATCH Corp., a company that specializes in school security, said it is unique for a district to install them in every classroom. He said there are probably few, if any others that have done so.

The U.S. Department of Education and several national education groups said they don't keep data on surveillance in schools.

The district has not yet written its policy on how the cameras will be used, Voles said, but the list of people who can view the tapes is limited.

Only a school principal, vice principal, superintendent, school board member or board attorney can view the recordings, he said. A parent, student or teacher would have to go through court.

State Rep. Les Barnett Jr. says having cameras in the classrooms of North Bay Elementary School, where his two children are enrolled, gives him a sense of security.

``It's a shame that we've come to a point that we have to do this in our schools,'' he said. ``I'm not a proponent of Big Brother looking in, but this does involve the safety of my kids.''

But Maryann Graczyk, president of the Mississippi American Federation of Teachers, worried about how the cameras would affect teacher rapport with students. She doubts the cameras will act as enough of a crime deterrent to justify the intrusion - or the $2 million it cost to install them.

``In observance of the democratic process, we're willing to give up a lot of privacy ... in the interest of safety,'' she said. ``I'm not sure it's the right thing to do.''

She also said she is troubled by inability of students, parents or teachers to see the recordings without going to court.

``If my child in school is accused of something ... I would certainly want to see that,'' she said.


Copyright 2003 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.

[RedefinedDiva]

That isht wouldn't fly here! In our Union agreement, there can be NO surveillance in the classroom. Sometimes, I wish that they did to watch the kids, especially the ones that I teach.

[Honeykiss1974]

Originally posted by CrimsonTide4

She also said she is troubled by inability of students, parents or teachers to see the recordings without going to court.

If my child in school is accused of something ... I would certainly want to see that,'' she said.

See, that's what I'm saying. If you're gonna put them in the classroom for "safety" reasons, why can't parents view the tapes or make it to where parents can long in on the school's website and view what their kids are doing? Dag, it is MY kid, after all.

A friend of mine sends her daughter to a daycare center has webcams in each room (so that parents can log on via the website and peek in on their kids).

[miss priss]

I see it from two sides as a teacher and a parent.

As a teacher, this could be potentially detrimental. Administrators, principal, etc. could use this against the teacher for "silent" observation. Teachers they want to get rid of could be under severe scrutiny with the absence of sound. Parents could view video and blame teachers for things their child did. Just to name a few.

As a parent I would love to be able to see what my child is doing while she thinks I am not looking. HOWEVER, as a concerned parent it is my job to be as ACTIVELY involved in the whereabouts, schooling, and discipline of my child.

Realistically, this could be the coal needed to start the fire of debates and school-related lawsuits. We need to rethink---no replan-- the plan of action needed to make our schools safe. Having camaras in every room will not solve it alone. Everyone knows we need staff policemen in the building, metal detectors at the door, camaras scanning the HALLWAYS and bathrooms(where kids hide the stuff the most), BUT most of all MORE PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT!!!!!! Enuff said.

[Wonderful1908]

Originally posted by miss priss
I see it from two sides as a teacher and a parent.

As a teacher, this could be potentially detrimental. Administrators, principal, etc. could use this against the teacher for "silent" observation. Teachers they want to get rid of could be under severe scrutiny with the absence of sound. Parents could view video and blame teachers for things their child did. Just to name a few.

As a parent I would love to be able to see what my child is doing while she thinks I am not looking. HOWEVER, as a concerned parent it is my job to be as ACTIVELY involved in the whereabouts, schooling, and discipline of my child.

Realistically, this could be the coal needed to start the fire of debates and school-related lawsuits. We need to rethink---no replan-- the plan of action needed to make our schools safe. Having camaras in every room will not solve it alone. Everyone knows we need staff policemen in the building, metal detectors at the door, camaras scanning the HALLWAYS and bathrooms(where kids hide the stuff the most), BUT most of all MORE PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT!!!!!! Enuff said.

I agree 100%. As a teacher I would not want a camera viewing my every move, as a parent I would like to see what my son is doing, but like you said, I am his parent, and any parent who has enough sense to want to see thier child on tape should have enough sense to raise a child where a camera is not needed. The camera seems like an invasion into my personal practice as a teacher.