Safe Schools

One method for screening visitors is to establish regulations requiring picture identification cards for all students. School officials have debated the value of ID cards at the secon­dary level for years, and still there appears to be no con­clusive position on whether the benefits outweigh the costs. The time consumed in repeatedly re­questing identification cards and in replacing them seems to be a major factor in the demise of most student identification card programs. The cost of implementing and maintaining identification programs is another detriment. Despite these drawbacks, school principals and personnel must be able to identify enrolled students from non-students. An effective picture identification system will enhance the control and management of the campus. The most successful student identification programs use a multi-purpose student identification card. The students must show their cards not only for individual identification purposes but also for access to student services such as the media center, the lunchroom, extra-curricular activities, the student recreation center, etc.Student identification cards are also helpful in controlling school bus riders and identifying trespassers in buildings. To facilitate a student identification program, entrance and exit control points may be structured to encourage students to move past supervised areas where supervisors can observe their badges. Wherever and whenever the volume of traffic is high, greater security and staff presence may be necessary. For a personnel identification system to be effective, all students must consistently wear the appropriate badge. (See Checklist for Implementing A Student Identification Program)