Legal Guide by Melanie Burns https://padlet.com/mabor11/xla7cuk5cxs3ojda en-us 2022-07-05 00:26:22 UTC 2025-10-16 15:10:58 UTC hello@padlet.com #1 mabor11 https://padlet.com/mabor11/xla7cuk5cxs3ojda/wish/2236772203 As a prospective professional school counselor, I would like to share with the administration and school board some information regarding placing cameras in the classrooms of our schools. This topic has been discussed a couple of times over the last few years in my district. It never has happened. I felt it important to review the legalities of it to understand why.]]> 2022-07-05 00:31:57 UTC https://padlet.com/mabor11/xla7cuk5cxs3ojda/wish/2236772203 #2 mabor11 https://padlet.com/mabor11/xla7cuk5cxs3ojda/wish/2236791291 There are several concerns about placing cameras in the classrooms. Many feel that it is taking away student privacy. Teachers have argued that it is a way to keep an eye on them as if they are not professionals. Cost is always a concern when it comes to such a huge undertaking to install cameras in every classroom. Ultimately, the most important first step is for everyone to understand the reasoning behind them. 

Three best practices are:
  •  Discuss the reasons behind placing cameras in the classroom with all students and parents and allow for questions to help put families at ease.
  •  Determine who will have access to the camera system footage and what their responsibilities are regarding the video system.
  • Allow parents access to footage when requested if they have concerns about an incident.

Following the Uvalde School Shooting and other active shooter situations, many are beginning to understand the importance of having cameras in schools. If there had been cameras in those classrooms, law enforcement would have had a clearer understanding of what was happening and how to stop the shooter. 

Kenna Moody
Groesbeck Middle School Principal


]]> 2022-07-05 00:57:22 UTC https://padlet.com/mabor11/xla7cuk5cxs3ojda/wish/2236791291 #3 mabor11 https://padlet.com/mabor11/xla7cuk5cxs3ojda/wish/2236796694 ATPE discusses the use of cameras in the classroom and the fact that there is no presumption of privacy in a school classroom. Texas passed a law requiring cameras in special education classrooms in 2015 for the protection of disabled students. It goes further to discuss using recordings for students to record class lectures and teacher evaluations.]]> 2022-07-05 01:04:18 UTC https://padlet.com/mabor11/xla7cuk5cxs3ojda/wish/2236796694 #4 mabor11 https://padlet.com/mabor11/xla7cuk5cxs3ojda/wish/2236801662
  • Higher suspension rates 
  • Lower math test scores
  • More issues with black students.  
    • Sparks, S. D. (2021, June 29). 'high-surveillance' schools lead to more suspensions, Lower Achievement. Education Week. Retrieved July 4, 2022, from https://www.edweek.org/leadership/high-surveillance-schools-lead-to-more-suspensions-lower-achievement/2021/04 
    ]]>     2022-07-05 01:10:09 UTC https://padlet.com/mabor11/xla7cuk5cxs3ojda/wish/2236801662     #5 mabor11 https://padlet.com/mabor11/xla7cuk5cxs3ojda/wish/2236805474
  • Cameras may catch educators behaving badly
  • Recording of extreme punishment of six year old 
    • Klein, A. (2021, June 16). Like police officers, educators have been caught on camera behaving badly. Education Week. Retrieved July 4, 2022, from https://www.edweek.org/technology/like-police-officers-educators-have-been-caught-on-camera-behaving-badly/2021/06 
    ]]>     2022-07-05 01:14:45 UTC https://padlet.com/mabor11/xla7cuk5cxs3ojda/wish/2236805474     #6 mabor11 https://padlet.com/mabor11/xla7cuk5cxs3ojda/wish/2236967867 Administrative Law
    • Law requires schools to provide video cameras in self contained classrooms when requested by parent, staff, or school board member.
    • For the protection of students
    • Regulates who can view footage
    • Regulates where cameras can be placed

    S.B. 507, 2015.

    State of Texas. (2015, September 1). 84(R) SB 507 - introduced version - capitol.texas.gov. Texas Capitol. Retrieved July 4, 2022, from https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/84R/billtext/pdf/SB00507I.pdf 
    ]]>     2022-07-05 04:44:12 UTC https://padlet.com/mabor11/xla7cuk5cxs3ojda/wish/2236967867     #7 mabor11 https://padlet.com/mabor11/xla7cuk5cxs3ojda/wish/2236974048 Judicial Law
    • Teachers sued regarding cameras in the classroom.
    • Court found that the teachers had no right to privacy in a classroom.

    Plock vs. Board of Education, 2007.

    P. MICHAEL MAHONEY, U. S. M. J. (2007, December 18). Plock v. bd. of educ. of freeport school dist. Legal research tools from Casetext. Retrieved July 4, 2022, from https://casetext.com/case/plock-v-bd-of-educ-of-freeport-school-dist 
    ]]>     2022-07-05 04:51:39 UTC https://padlet.com/mabor11/xla7cuk5cxs3ojda/wish/2236974048     #8 mabor11 https://padlet.com/mabor11/xla7cuk5cxs3ojda/wish/2236977969 Statutory Law
    • Case was based on the privacy of marriage
    • Court agreed based on privacies guaranteed in the 1st, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 9th, & 14th amendments

    Griswold vs. Connecticut, 1965.

    Public Broadcasting Service. (2006, December). The Supreme Court . expanding civil rights . landmark cases . Griswold v. Connecticut (1965): PBS. The Supreme Court . Expanding Civil Rights . Landmark Cases . Griswold v. Connecticut (1965) | PBS. Retrieved July 4, 2022, from https://www.thirteen.org/wnet/supremecourt/rights/landmark_griswold.html#:~:text=Connecticut%20(1965)-,In%20Griswold%20v.,or%20use%20of%20birth%20control. 
    ]]>     2022-07-05 04:56:50 UTC https://padlet.com/mabor11/xla7cuk5cxs3ojda/wish/2236977969     #9 mabor11 https://padlet.com/mabor11/xla7cuk5cxs3ojda/wish/2236990250 Constitutional Law

    • Grants every citizen the same rights
    • States that no other rules or laws can be set to infringe on these rights (privacy)

    Amendment XIV, 1866.

    National Constitution Center. (2022). The 14th amendment of the U.S. constitution. National Constitution Center – The 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Retrieved July 5, 2022, from https://constitutioncenter.org/interactive-constitution/amendment/amendment-xiv 

    ]]>     2022-07-05 05:14:03 UTC https://padlet.com/mabor11/xla7cuk5cxs3ojda/wish/2236990250     #10 mabor11 https://padlet.com/mabor11/xla7cuk5cxs3ojda/wish/2236995452 This is the policy at Clifton ISD regarding cameras in the classroom. It also stipulates who to contact regarding requests or concerns.

    Clifton ISD. (2022). Clifton Independent School District. Cameras in the Classroom. Retrieved July 5, 2022, from https://www.cliftonisd.org/page/cameras-in-the-classroom ]]>     2022-07-05 05:22:47 UTC https://padlet.com/mabor11/xla7cuk5cxs3ojda/wish/2236995452     #11 mabor11 https://padlet.com/mabor11/xla7cuk5cxs3ojda/wish/2236998466 Confidentiality

    I feel that if cameras are placed in all classrooms, confidentiality would be a concern. Of course, if handled correctly and access to footage was limited, student confidentiality would not be compromised.

    American School Counselor Association. (1984). Asca ethical standards for school counselors. SchoolCounselor.org. Retrieved July 5, 2022, from https://www.schoolcounselor.org/getmedia/f041cbd0-7004-47a5-ba01-3a5d657c6743/Ethical-Standards.pdf ]]>     2022-07-05 05:28:13 UTC https://padlet.com/mabor11/xla7cuk5cxs3ojda/wish/2236998466     #12 mabor11 https://padlet.com/mabor11/xla7cuk5cxs3ojda/wish/2237000954 The ethical and legal standards for this situation become very difficult. Legally we must honor confidentiality and protect students. Placing cameras in classrooms may be a risk for confidentiality, but as a requirement to keep students safe, they may be the best way.]]> 2022-07-05 05:32:32 UTC https://padlet.com/mabor11/xla7cuk5cxs3ojda/wish/2237000954 #13 mabor11 https://padlet.com/mabor11/xla7cuk5cxs3ojda/wish/2237004848
  • Have open communication with all stakeholders regarding the use of cameras in the classroom.
  • Provide written notice to all parents regarding the use of cameras in the classroom.
  • Have regulations regarding who will have access to footage.
  • Have a policy about who can request to see footage and how they are able to do so.
  • Create a policy that dictates how long footage will be kept before being erased.
  • When there is an incident of parental concern, contact parents and discuss.
  • Do not allow any students, families, or staff to opt out of cameras in their classroom.
  • Do not allow access to any employee to turn off recordings.
    • ]]>     2022-07-05 05:39:39 UTC https://padlet.com/mabor11/xla7cuk5cxs3ojda/wish/2237004848