FindLaw’s Writ – Ramasastry: No Child Left Unrecruited?
When public high school opened their doors this fall, military recruiters converged upon them, seeking student data. Schools and parents, taken aback by these unprecedented requests – for thirty years, this private information has been closely guarded – were surprised to discover that the requests were actually authorized by statute.
In January of this year, the “No Child Left Behind Act” was signed into law. The Act was touted as being designed to ensure that no child is left behind when it comes to getting a decent education. But it also had another, much less publicized aspect: It sought to ensure no child is left behind when it comes to military recruitment, as well.
While I had heard about two different attempts to make some kind of national service compulsory, the notion that recruiters could contact students directly, using data that is assumed to be privileged — I don’t expect the school to share it with anyone — is frightening.
High school students are not known for their refined decisionmaking skills, nor are they always aware of consequences.