In most states in the US students have very few of the same rights as their parents (even though one would expect children to enjoy extra protection). I am sure it was that line of thinking that led to the installed spyware.

While the authorities say it was only used to locate stolen laptops, the article stated,
"They say their son was told off by teachers for 'engaging in improper behaviour in his home' and that the evidence was an image from his webcam." They did not say that his computer was stolen, so why did they turn on the cam?

And what was the "improper behaviour"? If they had gotten a photo of a student while in a stage of undress, they would have been guilty of posessing child porn!

Hey teachers, leave those kids alone!