Technology

Florida School District to Implement ‘Finger Scanners’ to Identify Students?

Teachers in a Florida school district will have to memorize students in a way other than calling roll, because finger scanners are doing the job for them now.

When a student boards a bus in Washington County, he or she presses his or her finger onto a scanner registering them as present for the day. The school board decided to take this action when they saw conflicting attendance records.

Florida School District to Scan Fingers for Attendance

But high attendance comes with a high cost: the system costs the district $30 per student per year. According to the Washington County District School’s website, about 3,400 students are enrolled K-12. This means the district will pay more than $100,000 per year to operate the system.

Gizmodo also notes a potential privacy problem with scanning the student’s fingers:

The scanner also captures your fingerprint which is a unique, identifiable piece of information, stores it in a database, and links it to a name.

Yes, parents can opt-out and request their children be tallied the traditional way. But still, it seems kinda Orwellian that the school wants you to flash your fingerprint before you can learn your reading, writing and arithmetic.

According to the local NBC news affiliate, the district will be testing out the technology on a few buses but plans to implement it in the whole fleet before the end of this year.

Comments (46)

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  • Xyskalla
    Posted on October 8, 2011 at 11:08am

    Just what we need–requiring all the students to touch the same object. As if germs don’t spread quickly enough through schools as it is.

    Report Post »  
    • V-MAN MACE
      Posted on October 9, 2011 at 10:06am

      That’s right!! The NAZIS are after your KIDS!!!

      When are you sheep going to finally get angry and do something about it?

      They‘re turning your kids’ schools into mini Police States!

      They’re training your kids to bow down and capitulate to arbitrary Police State power!

      GET MAD, DAMNIT!

      Report Post » V-MAN MACE  
    • Ghandi was a Republican
      Posted on October 10, 2011 at 4:30pm

      Vmace = Master of the irrelevant!

      Report Post » Ghandi was a Republican  
  • Cat
    Posted on October 8, 2011 at 11:01am

    Washington County Florida is one of the poorest counties in Florida and one of the least populated.
    With nearly 3,400 kids attending, a teacher could easily recongnize any student that didn’t belong in school.
    This is bull crap, and a waist of time and money.

    It’s a pilot program and that’s why the little county was selected.

    In contrast, Palm Beach County enrollment is just under 173,000.
    Sarasota County is just under 41,000.
    Dade County is around 390,000.

    Loud alarms would go off if the above districts were used for this program.

    Suggest
    Nudge
    Force

    Report Post » Cat  
  • CharlesMartel
    Posted on October 8, 2011 at 10:31am

    It is about tracking students and keeping them safe. Similar devices are available for tracking school bus passengers. It is being driven by “keeping them safe”. You will have this stuff as long as people keep electing school board members who are obsessed with “keeping them safe”.

    Report Post » CharlesMartel  
    • Latter-Day-Soldier
      Posted on October 9, 2011 at 7:39pm

      I wonder how long it will be until someone advocates proximity chips “for the protection of our children”?
      I can imagine the “baby-steps” used for this scenario…..tag child molesters and rapists first, no one will want to defend those people….except the ACLU. Next, violent criminals out on parole etc.
      Next people in line will be those who work at sensitive facilities like nuclear power plants for example (which is already happening in other countries) them military, police ,fireman.
      Why not then chip the elderly and special needs who may get themselves lost?
      Then it will be everyone “for their own protection and security”… except government elites of course.

      Report Post » Latter-Day-Soldier  
  • 7.62AirMailComeGetIt
    Posted on October 8, 2011 at 10:30am

    Im so sick of the Blaze Moderating only what they want said and not peoples 1st Amendment RIGHT the Govt says its a Privilage… Waht a FN JOKE a cant post something cause if you watch it you WILL WAKE UP the Obama Deception Fall of the Republic America Freedom to Fascism… The Blaze is Dictating what you can and cant say or is it the Govt keeping poeple like me quiet go ahead and you tube all of these in order if you choose to be IGNORANT TO THE FACTS, Your CHILDREN AND FAMILY WILL SUFFER CAUSE YOU TURNED A BLIND EYE AND SAID I DONT CARE… Do you LOVE YOUR CHILDREN AND FAMILY

    Report Post »  
    • Lesbian Packing Hollow Points
      Posted on October 8, 2011 at 10:56am

      Quick primer on the 1st amendment right to free speech and free press… It only means the GOVERNMENT is not permitted to moderate you. It does not mean a corporation or other private entity can’t moderate you. You have a write to say or write whatever you want. You do not have the right to force The Blaze or Glenn Beck to publish YOUR words in THEIR Internet space. Just like if you wrote an erotica novel and went to a publisher of children’s books saying, “Here. I have the right to force you to print and publish this with your name on it.” Just ain’t so.

      To recap, the 1st Am. guarantees that the govt won’t stop you from communicating. If does not force anyone to be either the vehicle or the recipient of your communications.

      Report Post » Lesbian Packing Hollow Points  
  • 7.62AirMailComeGetIt
    Posted on October 8, 2011 at 10:23am

    If you LOVE your FAMILY CHILDREN AND OUR COUNTRY I BEG YOU PLEASE WATCH THESE IN THIS ORDER AND YOU WILL WAKE UP TO THE 1984 Orwellian state that they are steering us into.. AGAIN I BEG YOU TO WATCH THESE AND LEAVE A COMMENT FOR OTHERS

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAaQNACwaLw The Obama Deception
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VebOTc-7shU Fall of the REPUBLIC
    video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5355374476580235299 America Freedom to Fascism
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrXgLhkv21Y Terrorstorm

    Report Post »  
    • JEANNIEMAC
      Posted on October 9, 2011 at 7:54pm

      I’ve watched the videos and forwarded on to my contacts, asking them to pass them on.

      Report Post »  
  • 7.62AirMailComeGetIt
    Posted on October 8, 2011 at 10:21am

    THE BLAZE CANT HANDLE THE TRUTH AND KEEP MODERATING ME WOW SO MUCH FOR 1st Amendment Rights, oh yea the govt says your 1st is a PRIVILEGE NOT A RIGHT

    I have BEGGED each and everyone of you to watch on your computer these few shows on youtube and google video THE OBAMA DECEPTION, FALL OF THE REPUBLIC, AMERICA FREEDOM TO FASCISM AND TERRORSTORM. If you LOVE your FAMILY CHILDREN AND OUR COUNTRY I BEG YOU PLEASE WATCH THESE IN THIS ORDER AND YOU WILL WAKE UP TO THE 1984 Orwellian state that they are steering us into.. AGAIN I BEG YOU TO WATCH THESE AND LEAVE A COMMENT FOR OTHERS

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAaQNACwaLw The Obama Deception
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VebOTc-7shU Fall of the REPUBLIC
    video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5355374476580235299 America Freedom to Fascism
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrXgLhkv21Y Terrorstorm

    Report Post »  
  • trench99
    Posted on October 8, 2011 at 9:48am

    Big Brother in the schools! Pinellas county, fla was in the news a couple years back with same scenario, I haven’t heard anything else about it. I do know that enrollment in private schools is up as is homeschooling in fla. Note to fla parents- scholorships available state funded “step up for students” based on income ( most qualify) you pick school, check their website for more info.

    Report Post »  
  • MaggieRose
    Posted on October 8, 2011 at 9:16am

    Agree… This is way too easy to mess up… kids have less than perfect hygiene with peanut butter fingers, etc. Just implant a little chip in the back of their hands or their foreheads… much easier! They can just be laser-scanned in the hallways as they move about their classes through their day… someone will know where they are at all times. You don’t want the chip? No problem… for now… but “they” will know who you are, and who your children are… you can buy food and fuel for now but when the real squeeze comes, only those with the chip (or the number) will be able to buy and sell…
    hmmmm… seems like someone in the back of the Bible predicted all this a while back…

    Report Post »  
    • Blackaurora44
      Posted on October 8, 2011 at 11:25am

      Here we go! – The microchip – Implanted in your flesh. At first people will think it’s a great idea. No more identity theft, credit card theft, no more kidnapping, shoplifting. Keeping track of ex-felons, sex offenders, escapees will be effortless…No more tax evasion and no more bad checks either. But then, there’s the dark side. Your medical records will be viewed by the government, insurance companies and anyone else that may hack the system. You’ll be monitored 24 hours a day including everything you say or do. There will be no freedom as we know it today. The government will not be able to build enough prisons to house the masses who refuse to receive the chip. There will be a ‘solution’ for those people comparable to the gas chambers of Nazi Germany.

      Report Post » Blackaurora44  
  • Carol Ingian
    Posted on October 8, 2011 at 8:54am

    The teachers should take attendance, each class if they must.
    Scanning a fingerprint at the beginning of the day does not mean the student will actually show up for classes.
    And just think of replacement costs, and upkeep.
    It won’t take long before someone figures out how to mess up the scanner, for instance, after having some toast, a little butter or peanutbutter will blur the fingerprints being scanned.
    Students could then be in class and be marked absent.

    Report Post »  
  • clockwatcher
    Posted on October 8, 2011 at 8:20am

    Good plan now link that to a voter id and I will support it.

    Report Post » clockwatcher  
  • christianUSA
    Posted on October 8, 2011 at 7:32am

    Opinion: They are indoctrinating them that everything they do, some day buy and sell, requires a mark like cattle be read from their hands, absolute controlled no real choices programmed to obey. This makes my heart sink for my grand children future. Whos big brother idea was this! So the government of FloridA WANT THEIR FINGERPRINTS from k1 on!

    Report Post »  
  • Sandra
    Posted on October 8, 2011 at 7:11am

    The finger scan tells the computer who is loging in. However, that doesn’t mean that is the user. Once the log-in is connected, anyone could use the computer for whatever, providing they stay within the programs as security levels allow for that user. It may ask for a log-in again depending upon the data entered by the user. Security is a touchy thing, in this case. There is always a possibility of someone logging in for someone else. This isn’t a perfect system yet, but well on the way. The finger scan for the lunch program might be ok, as is, but how does it guarantee that the person on the bus is actually in school for the day? Just wondering.

    Report Post » Sandra  
    • TomFerrari
      Posted on October 8, 2011 at 10:11am

      Good points.
      Facial recognition via built-in cameras is on its way, though.
      Sure, a mask may work for that too. But, keeping ahead of the cheats will always be the key.
      Analog is the most secure, but, is not even in our technical lexicon these days.
      For data, single-photon generation security has a lot of promise, imho.

      Report Post » TomFerrari  
  • lukerw
    Posted on October 8, 2011 at 6:09am

    “1984”… there are Idiots everywhere!

    Report Post » lukerw  
  • AmeriCat
    Posted on October 8, 2011 at 3:27am

    So…will they use the same identification methods
    to verify identity at the voting booth?

    Or is this a “different” situation?

    Report Post »  
  • outdooronly
    Posted on October 8, 2011 at 3:15am

    Newsflash —- here in South Louisiana — they implemented “finger scanners” a few years back — it is how they “charge for lunch” — gone are the days of cash — you must PRE-PAY — the FINGER SCAN deducts from the matching students account —— UNDER THE GUISE OF EASE COMES A FUTURE WITH NO PRIVACY AND A FILE OF INFORMATION THAT WILL FOLLOW ONE TILL DEATH —probably longer……………….

    Report Post » outdooronly  
    • Blackjacx1
      Posted on October 8, 2011 at 4:04am

      They also are using finger scanners in Washington state. All prepaid lunches, I thought it was pretty unsanitary in addition to a little freaky.

      Report Post » Blackjacx1  
  • pamela kay
    Posted on October 8, 2011 at 2:52am

    They will have finger prints on every student. What’s next? I would yank my kid out of that school, pronto!

    Report Post » pamela kay  
  • Lesbian Packing Hollow Points
    Posted on October 8, 2011 at 2:06am

    Aside from the obvious objection over the cost, my question for the project would be has the rate of false positives and false negatives really decreased in the 5-10 years since I last seriously investigated biometric security devices?

    How often does this $100k system fail to recognize a legitimate student, and how often does it recognize a non-student as a student? And with 3,400 finger prints stored in it, how often does it mistake one student‘s fingerprint for that of another student due to variation in the growing student’s fingers or injury?

    Report Post » Lesbian Packing Hollow Points  
  • Walter P
    Posted on October 8, 2011 at 1:30am

    “the system costs the district $30 per student per year”

    Why? The cost of operating the system should not be dependent on the number of students being tracked. Is this just a case of the school district agreeing to a bad contract or something more? The addition of one more student will not cost the company antwhere near an additional $30 in expenses.
    It‘d be interesting to find out who’s brother/sister/husband/wife/etc is benefitting financially by this deal.

    Report Post » Walter P  
  • banjarmon
    Posted on October 8, 2011 at 1:30am

    Washington Co Wants the FINGER!!!

    Report Post » banjarmon  
  • gm2727
    Posted on October 8, 2011 at 12:50am

    So, in other words, any goofball kid who gets his finger scanned on the bus is marked present for the day, and then may decide to leave school grounds after he gets off the bus. No one will be looking for him? No one will know he’s absent? No one will know to notify his parents he’s not in school? When does the school district become responsible for his safety?

    Report Post »  
  • Tractorboy
    Posted on October 8, 2011 at 12:29am

    They tried to give my kid a concusion test, I called the athletics director and asked about this
    to get more information to find out what kind of data would be collected and would this be part
    of his permanent record and such, where does this information go? Got some lame answers
    from the guy, still doesn’t make sense that they do concusion tests and collect data on kids
    that are on the rifle team, oh yeah they still shoot guns in schools! although some schools
    have gone to air rifles, anyway got my kid out of their data collecting test!

    Report Post » Tractorboy  
  • I SPY
    Posted on October 7, 2011 at 11:39pm

    And someone thought desegregation was a good idea? Crime, murder, violence, trash, hate of whites, racism are at an all time high.

    Report Post » I SPY  
  • commonsenseguy
    Posted on October 7, 2011 at 11:26pm

    next thing will be a drug test, dna, full rectal scans for every student,

    Report Post »  
  • RightPolitically
    Posted on October 7, 2011 at 11:07pm

    I have a finger they can scan.

    Report Post » RightPolitically  
    • commonsenseguy
      Posted on October 7, 2011 at 11:24pm

      that’s funny, i am sure they would love for you to show them that they are # 1 !!!!!

      Report Post »  
  • demint.disciple
    Posted on October 7, 2011 at 11:06pm

    test

    Report Post » demint.disciple  
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