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Drug Testing & Background Checks for Students- Safety vs. Privacy

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I came across two stories this week that speak to the issues of drug testing and background checks in education. 

The first story comes from Mexico, Missouri where the local school board voted unanimously to incorporate random drug testing of students beginning with the 2010-2011 school year.  According to the Mexico Ledger newspaper (www.mexicoledger.com) "Beginning with the 2010-2011 school year, the Mexico School District will conduct random drug testing by urinalysis for all students in grades seven through twelve who apply for parking permits or participate in MSHAA (Missouri State High School Athletic Association)-sponsored activities."  

The only point of contention in Mexico seems to be the severity of the punishment.  Students are given reprimands ranging from a five week suspension from high school athletic activities to a full year revocation of parking privileges.  Board member Elwood Rice likened the punishment to "slapping them on the hands" while Board president Kenny Hoover said "I think everyone deserves a second chance."  

The second story comes from the North Carolina University system. After the 2004 death of a UNC-Wilmington student by a fellow student with a criminal history of violence against women, the UNC system now mandates collecting criminal history data from students. 

Most of that information is collected through the application process.  In fact only 10 of the 144 universities surveyed in a national study by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO) said they use an outside background check company.   

Even though 92% of the students checked passed the screening in the UNC system, Barmak Nassirian of the AACRAO says, running background checks serves as a big "Keep Out" sign for those with criminal records, and, he adds, "If you don’t think people can change, you ought to be in a different line of work”. ...Educating people and putting them on the right path is a social responsibility.” 

So it looks as though background checks have entered the age old argument in the Unites States of public safety versus individual privacy rights. 

Let us know which side of the argument you fall on.