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My professional perspective over the topic of having cameras in the classrooms is that I do not agree with having cameras in the classrooms. Having cameras in the hallways, any entry or exit of the schools and outside of the bathrooms is perfectly ok. I think that teachers should be able to have their privacy and feel comfortable teaching without the feeling of being watched and observed. Now if the teacher chooses to record herself that is a whole different scenario.

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I had the pleasure of interviewing Amanda Villarreal, who is an elementary counselor for Kallison Ranch elementary.
The topic of having cameras in the classroom topic is important in the legal guide due to the fact that it may violate the Right of Privacy. This can be especially important when administration does not make teachers aware that cameras are going to be installed or have been installed. Teachers already have cameras on their computers and some districts require them to record all lessons. This in itself can be intimidating because some teachers do not feel comfortable re-directing their students due to being recorded. With cameras in the classroom, best practices include having a sign outside a teacher's door before anyone walks in the classroom to remind them that they are being recorded or cameras are on. As a counselor, I would remind my students that they can see me in my office for things they may not want others to know or want to share with the entire class to adhere to confidentiality.

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Schools Matter Blog- Tennessee Classroom Video Camera Project Spending Millions to Extend Teacher and Student Surveillance
http://www.schoolsmatter.info/search?q=Cameras+in+the+classroom

As stated in their blog by Jim Horn and Denise Wilburn  (2014), "As educators and parents, we must be diligent in protecting the democratic institutions that insure protections for children and human rights for all people." In Washington County, Tennessee cameras were installed and had taken pictures of students but neither teachers or parents were notified of this. When parents became aware of this, they wanted to know what the images were going to be used for. Because of these concerns, the use of cameras in the classroom were delayed in getting installed until the Washington County Board of Education conducted an investigation. The board "amended it Duties and Powers of the Board of Education Policy 1.101 to make the Board responsible for sharing information related to applying for and receiving federal or private grants for educational purposes," (Horn et al., 2014). Parents and educators made their concerns be known to the Tennessee legislators and because of this a bill was introduced (HB2481) stating, "The  Tennessee State Department shall not require any LEA to record by audio or visual means any student or teacher in the classroom."
Teachers, children and parents need to be aware of what is going on in the school and classrooms especially when privacy is being invaded.

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Is installing cameras in the classrooms spying or surveillance?

"The National Education Association believes that education employees must be guaranteed the rights of privacy-including freedom from audio or video surveillance without the prior written permission of the individual," (Walker, 2015).

Walker (2015) stated that Sarah Brown Wessling, the Teacher Laureate for the Teaching Channel, urges teachers not to call cameras surveillance and agrees that in order to use the camera video as a tool, conditions must be met: choice, trust, and a clearly stated purpose.

Educators must be comfortable and trust that the individuals watching the camera videos are not judgmental.

The three conditions choice, trust, and purpose tend to get lost when cameras are intended for surveillance or evaluation and not to promote professional growth.

Walker, T. (2015, January 23). Cameras in the Classroom: Is Big Brother Evaluating You? NEA. https://www.nea.org/advocating-for-change/new-from-nea/cameras-classroom-big-brother-evaluating-you.

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Will Cameras in Special Education Classrooms Protect Students?
https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/video-will-cameras-in-special-education-classrooms-protect-students/2017/04

Terrence began experiencing unexplained injuries in middle school, for example, a dislocated knee and a broken thumb.

School began investigations.

An aide finally came forward and said that the teacher had yanked him and used his foot to move Terrence forcefuly.

The teacher had also slammed Terrence to the wall.

Family was awarded $1 million dollars.

Mom began a campaign to get cameras installed in the classrooms.

In 2015, Texas agreed to install classrooms in the classrooms at the request of the parents, but if one parent requests this then every special education classroom in the entire district has to have one.

The costs of cameras is very expensive.

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Roberts v. Houston Independent School District (Judicial Law)

https://www.lawpipe.com/Texas/Roberts_v_Houston_Indep_Sch_Dist.html

Teacher was terminated after being videotaped in the classroom.

Teacher felt her privacy was violated because she objected being recorded.

School officials stated that she was videotaped for her performance, which she was told to improve and she did not.

Assessment team recommended to the school district that she be terminated for her incompetence.

Court rejected teacher's claim.

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Personal Connection to the Legal and Ethical Standards #12

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Personal Connection to the Legal and Ethical Standards #12

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Having cameras in the classroom creates an authoritarian environment already sending the tone that the child is considered bad. A teacher will always second guess their judgement or think twice before reacting if classrooms are installed in every classroom. Cameras in the main areas of the schools are essential and a necessity for security purposes but that is the extent for cameras.

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Bulleted list of Recommendations/Best Practices for Compliance #13

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Bulleted list of Recommendations/Best Practices for Compliance #13

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Trust needs to be earned and respected amongst educators and parents.

Cameras could be seen as an invasion of privacy for both the families and the teacher. Children might share things that should
not be on camera about their families.

Cameras in the classroom could be used to help better teaching practices.

A teacher should be allowed to give consent on videoing a lesson where they want advice.

If a classroom does have a camera, a sign should be posted outside door, reminding students that they are being recorded or cameras are on.

Cameras are on our laptops, computers, and iPads, I do not see the point in spending tax dollars in installing cameras in each classroom.

A set of steps prior to reaching for cameras in the classroom should be made first.

Videos should not be used to monitor teacher's performance.

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Tex. Educ. Code § 29.022 (Constitutional and Administrative)
https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/ED/htm/ED.29.htm#29.022

Video cameras were installed in the special education settings.

"(a) in order to promote student safety, on receipt of a written request authorized under Subsection (a-1), a school district or open-enrollment charter school shall provide equipment, including a video camera, to the school or schools in the district or the charter school campus or campuses specified in the request."

Tex. Educ. Code § 29.022(1)- school or campus that receives equipment as a result of the request by a parent or staff member is required to place equipment only in classrooms or settings in which the parent's child is in regular attendance or to which the staff member is assigned.

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SB 507 (statutory)
https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/84R/billtext/pdf/SB00507I.pdf

A bill to be entitled an act of placing cameras in self-contained special education classrooms.

Section 26.009(b), Education Code states, "an employee of a school district is not required to obtain the consent of a child's parent before the employee may make a videotape of a child or authorize the recording of a child's voice.

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https://www.ksat.com/news/2016/02/09/cameras-could-be-coming-to-special-education-classrooms-in-texas/

Due to the law that passed Tex. Educ. Code § 29.022, which states that if a parent requests a camera in the classroom then it will be granted, NISD now has cameras in their special education self contained classrooms. Back in 2016, our spokesperson Pascual Gonzales, stated that, "The district doesn't feel that they have proper guidelines on what exactly they're supposed to do and doesn't have the money to install the cameras."

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Tex. Admin. Code § 247.2(1)(I)(J)
https://texreg.sos.state.tx.us/public/readtac$ext.TacPage?sl=R&app=9&p_dir=&p_rloc=&p_tloc=&p_ploc=&pg=1&p_tac=&ti=19&pt=7&ch=247&rl=2

(1) Professional Ethical Conduct, Practices and Performance.

(I) Standard 1.9. The educator shall not make threats of violence against school district employees, school board members, students, or parents of students.

(J) Standard 1.10. The educator shall be of good moral character and be worthy to instruct or supervise the youth of this state.

As a professional it is ethnically and morally to do the right thing and create that trust amongst the families. Standard 1.19 states that no threats should be made against the parents and students. Providing cameras in the classroom creates a tension and drives a wedge between the school and families. Things that can be misconstrued on cameras. Standard 1.10 also mentions that the educator should act in good moral character therefore not all educators are bad and placing cameras in the classroom demoralizes the character of the educator. Last, but not least Standard 3.5 under Ethical Conduct toward students states clearly that the educator shall not intentionally engage in physical mistreatment, neglect, or abuse, but when dealing with emotional disturbed kiddos who is taking a scissors to their neck the educator has to think twice before reacting because of camera in the classroom because there shall not be any abuse, but trying to pry scissors from a child hand who is trying to harm themselves or others could be misconstrued.