Schools Are Using an App to Track Students While They Pee

“I will not allow this app to be utilized in my kids’ schools, period."

Going Digital

Hall passes — the slips of paper teachers give to students to signify they have permission to leave the classroom — are a staple of the K–12 school experience.

But hundreds of schools across the United States have traded in the physical hall pass for an app called e-Hallpass — and that swap, according to The Washington Post, has some parents furious.

Request Denied

At a school using e-Hallpass, a student submits a request to leave the classroom through the app. The system notes any "red flags," such as frequent requests by the same student. The teacher then chooses whether or not to approve the request.

If the student is granted permission, they can leave and the teacher logs in the app when they return. If the student takes too long, the app automatically pings an administrator to check on them.

Hard Pass

The company behind e-Hallpass, Eduspire Solutions, claims it's an upgrade to the tradition hall pass as it leads to fewer classroom disruptions, stems hall pass abuse, and can even prevent violence by stopping feuding students from being in the hall together.

But that hasn't stopped parents at schools using the app and those considering it from voicing their opposition to it.

"I will not allow this app to be utilized in my kids’ schools, period," privacy attorney Brad Shear told WaPo. "If the app ends up getting rolled out I will make sure that I get the PTA involved. This is bathroom big brother."

READ MORE: School apps track students from the classroom to bathroom, and parents are struggling to keep up [The Washington Post]

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