There’s a new law in the U.S. that forces public schools to install cameras in some classrooms. Have you ever experienced that something happened and people didn’t believe you, and you wished a camera had recorded it? Well, this is what’s happening in Louisiana, where the measure was applied under Act 479, and its goal is to reinforce the safety of some students and have evidence in case there’s an issue in the classroom. The cameras must record audio and video nonstop, but officials have clarified that they are not used for constant live monitoring. So, let’s find out more about this measure.
The new law: cameras in classrooms
The Act 479 forces Louisiana public schools to install cameras in self-contained special education classrooms, where students with disabilities spend most of their day and may need extra support. The rule is compulsory for every school district of the state, all of them must apply this recording system.
For example, in Lafayette Parish, district leaders reported about the use of cameras in about 124 classrooms. Also, in Woodvale Elementary, the special education teacher Deelany Bogues explained that these cameras started recording immediately.
What’s more, the law says the schools must keep the recordings for at least 30 days so that they can be seen in case there’s an incident or an investigation.
How the cameras work
The cameras installed in the classrooms must record audio and video nonstop, but authorities have clarified that this doesn’t mean someone is watching the images in real time. According to Falin Key, Director of Special Education, Assessment, and Compliance for LPSS, the recordings are not being watched 24 hours. In fact, the law prohibits them from being constantly monitored.
We have to say that the access to the recordings is limited. Only authorized people can watch them when there’s a specific reason, like a lawsuit or an important concern. The goal is to have a clear register of whatever happened in a specific situation, not controlling teachers and students all the time.
Why this measure was implemented
School officials say the main priority is students safety, especially those who can have difficulties when communicating what happens during a classroom incident due to their disabilities. “Our number one priority is student safety, and the spirit of the law is to ensure that our students who are most vulnerable due to their disabilities are protected,” said Falin Key.
What about teachers? They play a key role in these situations. They have also pointed out that in some classrooms there may be some challenging behaviors, like aggression or yelling. In those situations, video recordings can help everyone understand what occurred, what may have triggered a student’s reaction, and how the teacher responded. This creates a clearer and more objective picture of events when questions arise.
So…
There will be more cameras in classrooms, like in Louisiana, around the U.S. For families, this may offer reassurance that there is transparency if problems occur. For educators, it provides an objective way to show what really happened.
Ultimately, the law reflects a growing effort to balance protection, accountability, and trust inside today’s classrooms. As you can see everything is done with a positive goal, but what do you think about it? Are these cameras the solution to solve conflicts? We’ll see if this idea is really what students and teachers need to avoid doubtful or troubled situations.