Recently there has been a much greater awareness in the country regarding school security and school safety. Violence on campuses at all education levels has increased dramatically. This violence comes not only from outside forces but from within as well. Students, parents, and even faculty are associated with this increase and more and more communities have recognized the need to take action. One way that those communities have decided to move, in an effort to curb violence and unauthorized access to the school facilities, is the use of school ID cards. Lets take a moment to look in detail at how and why school ID cards are able to be used to help protect students and staff alike.
Why Should You Have a School ID Card System
Having a school ID card system is a cost-effective solution that can increase security without difficult or cumbersome to implement. Installation of access control hardware has been made a lot easier and more economical due to the advent of low-price wireless technology. Even on older campuses which have been using access and ID systems for years, newer system is being installed that are easier to use and much more effective in their operation. No matter if your campus is using electronic access and ID system currently or is looking to upgrade its current security measures by implementing one, school ID cards can be a major step in the right direction.
Benefits of School ID Cards
ID Cards Help to Identify and Control Access for Currently Enrolled Students
Students who are currently enrolled can be easily identified from those who are not, who are from another campus, or who have had certain access privileges revoked with school ID cards. Students who are active can easily gain access to the buildings, locker rooms, libraries, cafeterias, auditorium, parking areas, and other facilities while those who are not enrolled at your particular campus cannot. Having a school ID card that is worn at all times can also help security and resource staff identify individuals that are not currently permitted to be at the school so they can be addressed appropriately, effectively, and most of all quickly. Attaching the ID card to a breakaway lanyard is also a great way of ensuring students have it on them at all times in case of an emergency.
This keychain ID badge holder is the perfect option for students!
Immediately Identify Staff Members to Increase Safety
If emergencies ever arise on campus, its important that your students are able to quickly identify staff members who are qualified to help and assist with the situation as soon as possible. School ID cards can help play an important role in speeding up the identification process when it matters most when the time is of the essence. As mentioned above with students, having the ability to identify current staff from former staffers, visitors, and others can make visitor management and securing your campus easier. Staff members who have special skills or privileges can have those items indicated on their ID card/badge to be easily distinguished.
Distinguish Faculty Members and Students from Visitors
With new students and faculty members coming through your doors year after year, being able to distinguish staff and students from guests isn't always easy. Identifying visitors in your institution is critical for taking action if problems ever arise. School ID cards also assist you in ensuring that all individuals on campus have been clearly identified and are accounted for. If a fight or disagreement ever breaks out, visitors will be easily identified right away and can be held responsible for their actions.
School ID Cards Grant Access Control
ID cards give schools the ability to determine who should or shouldn't have access to certain areas of your campus and buildings. With modern school ID cards being equipped with access code systems, these cards can even allow for entry to specific rooms only if its barcode has been properly scanned and accepted. The checking of school ID cards can also be used to ensure that individuals who are to be attending an event or school trip are who they say they are. Being able to know whether or not students and certain staff members are indeed allowed access to specific areas improves security measures for everyone.
Attendance Tracking
ID cards can be used to track attendance and ensure that students are where they are supposed to be during the school day. Attendance tracking in schools is important for several reasons. It helps to ensure that students are present and accounted for during the school day, which can be important for safety and security purposes. It also helps schools to track and monitor attendance rates, which can be useful for identifying patterns of absenteeism and addressing any issues that may be contributing to poor attendance.
There are several ways that schools can track attendance, including the use of an electronic attendance system, paper sign-in sheets, or a combination of both. Some schools may use ID cards with barcodes or RFID chips that students scan when they arrive at school, while others may require students to sign in at the start of the school day.
It is important for schools to have a clear attendance policy in place and to consistently follow it to ensure accurate tracking of attendance. This may include setting expectations for attendance and consequences for excessive absences, as well as providing support for students who are struggling to attend school regularly.
How to Choose the Right ID Card System for Your School
Choosing the right ID card system for your school can be a daunting task, but it's essential to select one that meets your school's unique needs. When choosing an ID card system, there are several factors to consider, including the type of school ID cards you want to use, the features and capabilities of the system, and the cost.
It's also important to consider the level of security you need. For example, if you have high-security areas on your campus, you may want to consider a system that offers biometric authentication or facial recognition technology.
In addition to these factors, it's also important to consider the level of support and service that the vendor provides. You want to choose a vendor that offers excellent customer service and support, so that you can get the help you need when you need it.
Employee Satisfaction is Key
The following quote was written by one of our customers. It's his story about how he uses our products to protect his ID badges.
"I am currently employed at a large university where I work as a student services administrator. My job requires me to wear my badge almost every day. In addition to this, I often travel throughout the city to visit various departments and offices. Because of this, I need to carry my badge around with me at all times.
In order to do so, I purchased several different lanyard designs from Specialist ID. After trying them out, I decided to purchase the "Lanyard with Clip" design because it had the features I needed. This particular design allows me to attach my badge to my belt loop using a standard belt clip. This way, I can easily take off my badge whenever I want without worrying about losing it.