Special Education

Can Cameras in Special Ed. Classrooms Prevent Student Abuse? (Video)

By Carmen Rojas — April 06, 2017 1 min read
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Students with disabilities are far more likely to be abused in schools than the general student population, and many feel that video camera surveillance is the best way of monitoring and preventing such behavior.

Texas parent Breggett Rideau is one of them — after her special needs son was physically abused by a teacher, she launched a successful campaign to install cameras statewide. This year, Texas became the first state in the country to start requiring cameras in special education classrooms, and other states are considering similar laws.

But are cameras the best solution? Detractors cite cost and privacy issues, while some disability advocacy groups push for other measures to prevent abuse.

Exploring both sides of the issue, Education Week correspondent Kavitha Cardoza reports from Keller, Texas.

This video originally aired on PBS NewsHour on April 4, 2017.


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A version of this news article first appeared in the On Air: A Video Blog blog.