Smart Pass? I'll Pass.

Scout Howell-Dowd, 8th grade

8/25/2023

A new pass has been put into action here at  CSAS and many of our own students and teachers, INCLUDING ME, recognize the obvious flaws within this app. 

I looked at some articles about this pass such as a pros and cons list from andoverview.net. This article discusses how it is "helpful hallway management" for teachers and staff, but also how the time limits are difficult to maintain for students. This list shows the perspectives of both sides from the teachers to the students. However, it shows them in a specific light. The article mainly uses cons with a student's view and pros with teachers. Now, when I showed the pros part of the article to fellow students it was followed by a bunch of groans and name-calling of the app, when by the teachers it was agreed with. However, it was reversed when the cons were presented. The main topic agreed with for the pros was the leading paragraph stating,

 "According to the SmartPass website, this app is the “ultimate solution for hallway management,” capable of "increasing time spent in class, preventing vaping, and improving the overall safety of the school". 

This is definitely agreeable to many students and teachers, but it has an upcoming opponent with the third and highlighted paragraph of the cons list in the article, which says,

 "The app does not account for the fact that some people may need more time outside of class than others. This app does not take into account students who have health issues such as IBS, excretory problems, or menstrual cramps. Some students also need mental health breaks throughout the day".