BERKELEY: School, military skirmish over data on students

San Francisco Chronicle ^ | 6/12/7 | Carolyn Jones

[SmithL]

Berkeley High remains the only high school in the nation that has failed to comply with the military's request for students' data, a Department of Defense spokesman said.

A month ago, the school -- under pressure from the government to release the data or lose funding -- changed its policy that blocked the release of students' personal information. The new policy allows students and parents who do not wish to be contacted by military recruiters to opt out by signing a form.

But the school did not immediately release the data to the government. Instead, a group of parents have been on a campaign to ask each and every student whether they want to opt out.

Thus far, 90 percent of the students at Berkeley High have refused to have their names released to miliary recruiters.

Berkeley High risked losing $10 million in federal funding, and possibly faced legal action, if it did not change its policy regarding military recruitment.

[BritExPatInFla]

Once the students sign up for selective service when they turn 18, the govt will have their info. The beurocrats don’t NEED it ‘till then. Anyone that wants to enlist can surely find a recruiter on their own before then.

[dakine]

Uh-oh, this argument again...Notice how the fedgov trys the fund withholding...hated when they did that with the highway funds back in the 18 drinking age and the 55 mph days...

[dakine]

I agree with ya’, been in ‘arguments’ with folks here...

[rob21]

This is insane. Your theory about students “wanting to enlist” and researching the military on their own is completely incorrect. Most students don’t just magically decide that they want to enlist. As you can see, they are bombarded with anti-American propaganda throughout their time in high school. When their teachers and friends are telling them that the military is evil they just accept it. They aren’t going to go home and try to find out the truth on their own, and they certainly are not going to go call up a recruiter. As someone who has just graduated high school and is leaving for the Army on July 3rd, I can tell you that for most of them, the only way that they’ll hear the facts about the military is when the recruiter calls their house. After they talk to a recruiter, then they can make an informed decision.

What’s the big deal anyway? The recruiters don’t have access to any information other than their name, age, grade and phone number. That’s it.

[Publius Valerius]

I’m guessing you mean selective service, which, of course, does not apply to half the high school population.

Besides, high school is what we’re talking about here, so to the extent that these boys haven’t completed the selective service process, then the military doesn’t have their contact information.

[Don Corleone]

"Not a lot of people know what's going on with the war," said Krystal Elebiary Could that be a function of a California public school education?

Most of their so-called "students" couldn't even find Florida on a map let alone Iraq.

[Ukiapah Heep]

Sounds like Krystal already is a tool. Send in the prosecutors and shut the place down. The ba@&ards are violating the law and the rights of the 10% that did provide data.

[moonman]

BritExPatInFLa

thanks

[BritExPatInFla]

...the only way that they’ll hear the facts about the military is when the recruiter calls their house....

The “Facts”? Between the anti-war propoganda from the left and the sunshine blown up their a$$es by recruiters, these kids are gonna be confused as hell about joining the service.

[rob21]

Whatever. Most recruiters are completely honest with potential recruits. Obviously you aren’t going to hear about that in MSM, because they’ll only report on the few bad apples.

When I first met my recruiter he told me straight up that if I wanted to join just for the college money to go away, because I’ll probably be getting deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan.

bigred41:
If your kids go to public school, then the government has their personal info because public schools are the government. All that this is doing is giving his name, age and number to recruiters.

Let’s face it. You’re not concerned about his personal information, you’re afraid that he might actually want to join the military. You must be one of those people who “supports the troops”, as long as they don’t take away your kid.