New School Database Troubles Some

It is a way for school officials to keep track of their students and it is troubling some parents.  The database cost around $100 million and was financed by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.  It allows schools to track students, not only from their social security numbers, but also what they have done with homework, what hobbies they have, what they want to do in the future, etc.

A handful of states are trying out the software, but Louisiana and New York are going all in with it, submitting most of the records they have.

The software allows information to be shared without parental permission with anyone with a "legitimate educational interest."

While some are hailing the new technology as a great way to track students and encourage progress, there are others that are quite upset about the whole thing.  Some parents are very upset and think that the information could easily be abused.

What do you think?  Is this a great development in the educational realm or is this too much information and power in the hands of one company in one database?