The AP (10/11) reported, "Two school districts in the Houston area have begun monitoring students' whereabouts on campus by issuing them identification badges with radio frequency identification technology – the same technology used to track cattle." According to school officials, the ID badges "improve security and increase attendance rates, a figure that's important because some school funding is tied to attendance." The Spring school district has been able to "recover $194,000 in state funding since December 2008" by locating students with the badges.
The Houston Chronicle (10/11, Radcliffe) reported that "some parents and privacy advocates question whether the technology could have unintended consequences," such as hackers figuring out "a way to track students after they leave school." Some also say that "identity theft and stalking could become serious concerns." Meanwhile, the Spring and Santa Fe districts tout the benefits of the tracking devices. "In case of a fire, administrators would be able to see if any students are trapped inside a building. If a student disappears, they'll know exactly when they left campus."
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