Schools across the country are using GPS tracking systems in different ways and for different reasons.
GPS Tracking System Used to Help Reduce Truancy, Improve Student Safety
School districts are turning to GPS tracking technology to reduce the amount of students that repeatedly don’t show up for school. In some school districts, the level of students not showing up or leaving early for school is out of control. To solve the problem, repeat truancy offenders are being asked to keep a hand-held GPS tracking system with them at all times. The GPS tracking system keeps tabs on the students’ wherabouts during school hours to make sure the student is attending classes regularly.
Although this sounds extreme, three school districts in Texas say it works. School administrators argue that the GPS tracking system is doing more than just monitoring the students. It gives kids a way to overcome peer pressure to skip school.
The GPS tracker given to a student is different than the trackers used to monitor sex offenders or other criminals. The tracking system the students are using does not require the user to have the GPS tracking device worn around the ankle. The student GPS tracking systems are roughly about the size of a standard cellular phone, and can be kept in a pants or jacket pocket.
Other schools are using (or at least considering using) a facial recognition and GPS tracking system on their school buses. The GPS and facial recognition system involves mounting two small cameras, a tiny computer and GPS tracking equipment in the bus. It has the ability to monitor buses and provide their location in real-time. School administration can also view the interior of all buses, with optional listen and talk capabilities.
Additional capabilities include video recording of all activity on the bus; tracking of students with facial recognition to confirm that they boarded and disembarked the correct buses; and profile information can be displayed to each driver, such as a child’s special medical needs or who is allowed to pick up the child.