There’s a new way to track students in New York City schools.
A digital hall pass system called SmartPass is now used in 167 schools, letting teachers monitor exactly when students leave the classroom and how long they spend in bathrooms and hallways. It’s a tool that, in a sense, keeps a closer eye on students than ever before.
The creators of SmartPass refer to it as a form of “empowerment.” Pass requests are submitted via iPads, which supposedly minimizes disruptions in class. However, students and advocates have expressed concerns, deeming this system a bit dystopian.
Seventeen-year-old Nairobi H., a student at Union Square Academy of Health Sciences, questioned the invasive nature of this tracking. She expressed that being monitored might make students rush their bathroom breaks, which isn’t ideal. Despite using a pass already, she felt the two systems were essentially the same.
The city is planning to spend $368,000 on SmartPass contracts in 2025, a significant increase from the previous year’s $120,000.
Johanna Miller, from the New York Civil Liberties Union, criticized SmartPass as “creepy.” She noted that it turns students into data points and raises concerns about privacy and potential misuse of information.
Meanwhile, the Department of Education says it has taken measures to protect student data. A spokeswoman emphasized that no school is mandated to use the tool, and each can select software that fits their needs while maintaining privacy standards.
Yet, this assurance doesn’t completely alleviate worries. Nairobi also mentioned that a surveillance-like environment can be unsettling. It raises awareness that students might feel pressured all the time, whether in school or elsewhere.
Shokjakorn Samiev, an 18-year-old senior, remarked that the management of student movement has gone to an extreme. At his Brooklyn school, SmartPass was implemented last fall, requiring students to sign out using an iPad at the classroom door.
Some school officials advocate for SmartPass by highlighting safety features. One assistant principal from Missouri suggested it helps identify which students are in hallways, especially in emergencies.
However, in practice, there can be issues. Samiev pointed out that if a student signs out under someone else’s name, it complicates things for both, potentially leading to conflicts over restroom access.
Reviews on platforms like the Apple App Store show mixed feelings about SmartPass. Some students found it made their lives more difficult. One lamented that they couldn’t use the restroom during class because the pass was inaccessible, leading to urgent situations.
Another student mentioned that teachers can impose time limits for bathroom usage, which can be quite restrictive. In one instance, a teacher set a mere 30 seconds for a bathroom break.
Despite the investment in this system, it seems many students and teachers still prefer traditional methods, like raising hands for permission or using physical hall passes.
Samiev highlighted the irony of spending heavily on technology while schools might benefit more from hiring additional staff or improving facilities.
