How Technology is Changing Student Safety & Accountability

In recent years, technology has revolutionized so many aspects in the education space. In schools, tech has identified new tools and learning models, streamlined administrative tasks, and significantly enhanced the overall student experience. With rising concerns about school safety and the necessity for greater student accountability, technology advancements are providing innovative solutions to tackle these challenges. Let’s look at the importance of technology in maintaining student safety and accountability and the specific options designed to protect students.

Student Safety & Accountability

During adolescence, student’s brains are still developing, making them vulnerable to risky and addictive behavior. In 2023, vape activity in schools rose over 20% with it trending up during stressful periods like SATs or final exams. Vaping leads to addictive behaviors and health risks while disrupting school environments and hurting academic performance.

Students are also vulnerable to threats from external sources, such as sex offenders and other bad actors that attempt to enter schools. Technology has the ability to be a catalyst for protection from both outside forces and help reverse the addictive trends in schools. Efficiency, accurate, and reliable security methods are a necessity for students to become accountable for their actions and safe against the actions of others.

Utilization of Technology in Schools

Despite the harmful trends in schools, advancements in school security and safety solutions have allowed for unique and high-tech solutions with incredible results. Verkada has been leading the way in safety technology. Let’s look at how Verkada technology is being applied in schools and the results:

· Vape Detection: Verkada air-quality technology is being used in schools nationwide to detect harmful chemicals in the air in common vaping areas (bathrooms, locker rooms, hallways, etc.). When the air in these areas is of poor quality, administrators are contacted via SMS leading for quick responses. One school district reported an 83% decrease in vaping incidents because of this technology. Students are able to take accountability for there actions and forced to think twice about vaping.

· Physical Security: Access control provides real-time visibility across campus. Face detection software allows for cameras to detect sex offenders and alert administers immediately. Centralized management of systems means that all door locks and cameras can be managed in the case of a lockdown. In this case, emergency services are automatically notified.

· Incident Identification: With available AI technology, Verkada technology can run an image search for a person with the upload of a photo. Moreover, live recording of events allows for administrators and police to look into historical footage of events. This will deter students from bullying and selling of substances as reported incidents can easily be tracked and identified.

All of Verkada’s security devices work together in a cloud-based system with their Helix Integration to help identify and put together a sequence of events for incidents. This technology can be integral towards deterring students from participating in activities that not only will affect them, but their fellow students as well.

This technology leads towards teaching student’s accountability for their actions. Leading to increased test scores and better student engagement all while making school a safer place.

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