Schools Try Iris Scans Instead Of Student ID's

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) – According to a new report, schools ranging from elementary level to college will be auditioning iris scanning security methods starting this fall. In fact, South Carolina’s Winthrop University will be testing out a version this summer during freshman orientation. When students receive their ID cards, they will also have their eyes scanned. 

James Hammond who heads up Winthrop’s Information Technology department claims that “iris scanning has a very high level of accuracy, and you don’t have to touch anything. It can be hands free security.” The technology comes from a New Jersey-based company:Iris ID.

A South Dakota company, Blinkspot, will be working with elementary schools specifically for use on school buses.  When children board, they look into a scanner which then beeps if they are on the right bus and honks if they are on the wrong bus.  These particular scanners have the ability to sync with a mobile app so that parents can locate their children. Whenever a child boards or exits, a text or email message is sent to the parents with a picture of the child, a Google map of his or her current location, as well as the date and time.