More and more schools are installing security cameras in halls, classrooms and buses. Administrators say it helps protect students and staff, but some argue the practice is invasive.
Many school administrators say video cameras cut down on any number of crimes, from assault to theft to gang violence. At one New Jersey high school, the decision to install cameras came after several sexual assaults in a school stairwell.
Yet, not everyone approves. Some students see cameras as an invasion of privacy. Some teachers welcome cameras in the classroom while others see them as an unwelcome intrusion. So where do you draw the line: at the doorway, hallways only? What about the classroom, buses, even locker rooms?
Ask around and you will hear strong and conflicting opinions about whether cameras belong in classrooms. With school safety a major issue in a post Columbine, Newtown, Virginia Tech world, parents need to know that their children are protected, and staff need to feel secure.
As of the 2014 school year, 75 percent of public schools reported using security cameras to monitor their buildings. Most educators believe they belong in the communal spaces of a school— hallways, cafeteria, entrance ways—but the classroom?
The debate over classroom surveillance rages on. A recent survey by IT provider Extreme Networks revealed that 70 percent of educators felt cameras in the classroom could be useful in preventing theft, vandalism and cheating. In a discussion on WeAreTeachers.com, feelings and reactions from teachers were mixed. Many feel it’s an invasion of privacy while others worry that cameras would disrupt the level of comfort they feel in front of students.
In a similar discussion, parents worry who sees the footage. The potential for misuse or hacking leads to privacy and safety concerns, they say. As one parent put is, “I think cameras in halls are fine, but I don’t think they should be in the classroom unless administration or a security team are the only ones viewing it.”
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act regarding a parent’s right to access video footage taken of their children at school is murky—at best. There have been a few court cases where judges ruled that video footage obtained by school officials or other district contractors were not considered education records. Therefore, that footage couldn’t be accessed by the students or their parents.
When it comes to nipping behavioral problems in the bud or clearing up misunderstandings, cameras have come in handy. “We have cameras in hallways and it’s great for tracking down miscreants. Toilets used to deliberately get clogged,” one teacher reported. “After tracking down the last students in the bathroom—problem solved.” Even though this teacher has first-hand experience with a positive impact of surveillance—she still doesn’t want cameras installed in her classroom.
There is no simple answer to the security vs. privacy question and this will remain a polarizing and divisive issue for a long time to come. For now, the only solution is to keep the conversation going with security consultants, school security, law enforcement, staff, parents, students, and fellow administrators. Best practices show that open communication and transparency can lead to a security solution with wide acceptance.