–By STEPHANIE A. JAMES
Staff Writer
Some students at Appomattox County High School are using their fingerprints to show that they are in school.
These students use a fingerprint scanner, which is part of technology that the school uses to track student attendance.
This technology is a component of the Swipe K12, which is a web-based program system that is used to record student’s attendance, and can be used to reveal if a student is cutting class.The school started using the fingerprint scanner in September, and ACHS is the only school in the state that uses it, said Division Instructional Technologist Daniel Richardson, who implemented it. The fingerprint scanner is optional for students to use. So far, about 60 students at the school use the scanners. The remainder of the student population use cards that they swipe.
Students have been using identification cards for the last two years as part of the Swipe system, but the fingerprint scanner is the newest edition to the technology. The Swipe system includes a device where students can slide a Swipe card or use their fingerprint to check into. The device and the fingerprint scanner are hooked up to a laptop.
Once the student use their finger or scan their card, their picture and name comes up on the laptop. A staff member usually oversees this. When students arrive at school, they are required to go through the system at a checkpoint set up at the school. Once students use the system, teachers at the school can use the web-based system to check, if they came to school.
Teachers can use the system to use options to mark if the student is in class, have an excused absence, late to class (excused or unexcused) or absent from class.
Also, parents can sign up to receive email or text alerts notifying them when their child arrived at school or cut class.
If students leave before the end of the school day, they are required to check out using the Swipe system.
Staff and students alike are pleased with the scanner.
ACHS senior Hayley Overton said that she likes the option of using her finger than using a card to check in. “You do not have to worry about losing it,” said Overton, adding that if a student loses their card there is a $5 replacement fee. ACHS math teacher Brittany McLean said that the only complaints that she has heard from students is when there are technical difficulties, such as when the student has to scan in multiple times because it did not take the first time. “It is a very efficient and effective system,” said McLean. “The system is fantastic. We have real time data that tells us if they skip class immediately,” said assistant principal Poldi Moreno. Also, staff likes the system for its security benefits. “We look at it as a way to keep them safe and secure,” said Richardson.
The Swipe system was implemented nearly three years ago, after Brette Arbogast, director of technology and career and technical education, was researching a solution to track student attendance. The high school initially used Swipe on a trial basis for a few months, and the program was fully implemented in 2011. Since the system has been implemented, the school has seen a decrease in student absences.
