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Policy committee debates ban on smart glasses and tightens tech, recording language
Summary
At an Orange County Schools policy committee meeting, members moved several technology and recording policies to first reading and debated whether to seek a formal ban on smart glasses and other wearable devices over testing‑security and privacy concerns; staff noted DPI testing guidance has been issued.
The Orange County Schools policy committee advanced required updates to technology and recording policies and spent the largest portion of the meeting debating whether smart glasses and other wearable devices should be banned in testing and classroom settings.
Committee members front‑loaded the discussion around policy 3225 (Wi‑Fi hotspots) and related wireless device language after staff said the hotspot update was a required change. A committee member warned about wearable tech’s opaque recording and information‑lookup capabilities, saying, “most organizations at this point are banning them because you can't tell if they are on or off,” and raised concerns about cheating and unrecorded information capture during tests. The committee agreed to move the Wi‑Fi and wireless device policies to first reading and to take a separate, fuller vote of the board on any outright ban of smart glasses or similar devices.
The superintendent (Dr. Jones) told the committee that state testing guidance and training from the Department of Public Instruction have been provided and that any wireless communication device used to capture video, audio or still images of identifiable students or staff would not be permitted in school buildings, school‑sponsored events or on buses. Dr. Jones also noted that test security rules in some districts already disallow certain devices for standardized testing and that testing manuals would need to be consulted for specific exam rules.
Members discussed implementation options: a narrow ban during testing (similar to existing watch/phone restrictions on test days), a broader ban on specific product classes (smart glasses), or clarifying language that prohibits secret recordings and limits device use during tests. One committee member suggested requiring students with prescription smart glasses to bring a second pair for test days, mirroring how calculators or watches are handled when necessary.
The committee emphasized it did not want to make a hasty policy about evolving technology; instead, it will "pull the board" to take members’ positions and to give staff time to research DPI guidance and test‑security rules before proposing any ban. For now, the committee advanced the Wi‑Fi and wireless device language to first reading by consensus and directed staff to return with clearer language and any relevant testing‑security references.
Looking ahead, the committee asked staff to research which districts have already banned smart glasses for testing, how state testing guidance addresses wearables, and whether disciplinary or procedural exceptions are needed for investigative recordings. The discussion concluded with a plan to revisit the question next school year after the committee polls the full board and reviews DPI materials.
