Tracking Truants
School is back in session!
Of course that means kids all over the nation are sad, while parents everywhere are singing “It’s the most wonderful time of the year.” (Do you remember that commercial? One of the classic back to school commercials from a few years back.)
With students returning to school, New York State released a survey with some rather staggering statistics about graduation rates. According to the survey, girls are graduating from high school in New York State at a much higher rate than boys. Statewide, 73.4 percent of girls graduated in 2007 after four years of high school. That’s compared with 63.9 percent of the boys graduating. Some educators believe it all boils down to effort and focus with girls more serious and sincere about school. The New York State Education Commissioner, Richard Mills, says the consequences can be major with high school dropouts finding themselves on the margins of society financially, politically and socially.
So, what can be done about graduation rates? Of course this is a discussion that’s been on-going and there’s no quick and easy answer. But, how about keeping kids in school. That might be a good start. Many school systems struggle with truancy rates and many are trying to figure out what to do about truancy. Child welfare authorities in San Antonio, Texas think they’ve come up with the perfect solution.
School officials in San Antonio recently launched a six-month program to fight truancy, but it’s already drawing controversy. Why? What’s the new plan? In San Antonio, Texas, chronic truant students will now be equipped with GPS systems. Currently 50 or so students who are known for skipping school on a regular basis have been fitted with ankle bracelets which are actually Global Positioning System monitors. According to Linda Penn, the Bexar County Justice of the Peace, the students chosen for the program are those with gang affiliations, or youngsters who’ve been before her court multiple times. Penn said once the bracelet gets slapped on, it stays on.
While the GPS truancy tracking system is drawing criticism, Penn points to similar GPS programs used to track truants in Dallas and Midland which have had success. But, Terri Burke, who heads the American Civil Liberties Union of Texas, is raising privacy concerns. While supporting efforts to keep kids in school, Pen does wonder if it’s legal to keep tabs on them using the GPS device when the school day is over.
I must admit, it’s a very interesting concept, but, just how do we know if the systems are shut down when the school day ends. Yes truancy is a problem and something needs to be done. But, is a GPS tracking system really the answer?
Just my two cents,
Dr. Rus
