Interesting article. I wonder how many people opposed to this appreciate their mobile phone could essentially be used to achieve the same purpose?

Articles of this nature always remind me of George Orwells 1984.

No doubt.  I see the situation getting ugly, really quick, even just on the political front.  Add in all of the problems that come from both lack of understanding 'proper' implementation, and some wily, technical kids, and you're introducing a recipe for disaster.  I understand their desire, and I understand their 'business logic', in that they're trying to cut truancy through increased monitoring, etc, so that they can obtain additional govt funding, but I think it's taking it just a little to far.

Back in my school days, teachers actually kept track of attendance.  If a kid wasn't in class, punishment was handed down.  Aside of a desire to lessen each teacher's direct responsibility in this area, I don't truly see the measure as a worthwhile endeavor.  And honestly, with SOME (not trying to single out good versus bad teachers here) teachers already NOT pulling their weight, how much less should they be expected to do...?

(Edit - note, about 14 years ago, I was the network manager / IT go to guy, for a LARGE school district in Ohio.  I never would've dreamed of pulling a stunt like this.)

But the ACLU and the EFF have both already been involved in the case of the kid in PA with Mike and Ikes. Yes the laws are gray, but there are also ways around that, if the parents bring up the case, or other. Which the ACLU should know and make recommendations of, not just wash their hands of it.