The 2025-26 school year has begun, and along with it came a new ID policy that was implemented by the Board of Directors. Students from sixth grade to 12th grade must now wear student IDs around their necks all day to ensure the safety of students and faculty. The IDs were introduced to make sure that any unauthorized person is unable to enter, since they do not have the IDs that all students and staff must scan upon entrance.
The IDs were originally implemented as extra safety precautions after there was a safety threat against State High last spring. Junior Cora Bierly attested to the comforting aspects that the IDs provide, especially after such an alarming situation.
“I think after certain threats were made at our school, it is a lot more reassuring to know that they are policing the hallways in some way and they are making sure that everyone who is in the school belongs in the school,” Bierly said.
Parents were also concerned after the threat and worried that the safety of their children could have been compromised. Sharon Musser, who has one child currently enrolled at State High and has two children at Mount Nittany Middle School, had these same concerns herself last year.
“I think that it’s a good step to identify that you’re an active student there. It is helpful, so throughout the day, if a teacher or administrator isn’t familiar with a student [they have a way to identify them]. There’s a lot of kids in that building, so having the ID and having it be on the student body throughout the day will help identify them. That way, if someone is in the building and they are not supposed to be there, that can help identify that,” Musser said.
The IDs add an extra layer of safety to our school without becoming an inconvenience for students. There has been little to no trouble getting through the doors and into the building efficiently. Students are getting the hang of the process of scanning their IDs, and it is getting smoother every day.
The need for student IDs to be seen at all times is a new expectation for students, and it will take some getting used to. Students aren’t always wearing their IDs inside the classroom; however, the habit of wearing IDs all day seems to be growing on students.
“I think there are still some students who are checking in with their ID badge and then putting it away and needing to be asked to have it out and visible, but with every day that goes by, I’m seeing more and more students who have it on their body visibly,” Learning Enrichment teacher Jessica Bruce agreed.
Bierly also mentioned an aspect of the policy that she perceives as somewhat irritating. “Most teachers want you to wear it around your neck, at least my teachers aren’t okay with me carrying it or having it on my desk, they want me to be wearing it. I just think that as long as you have it out of your backpack, you can quickly show it to a teacher,” she said.
The ID lanyards could be annoying for some students, but it doesn’t take away from the fact that wearing your ID visibly is necessary. Adults need to be able to quickly identify students as a State High student, and when an ID is not visible, it makes this step of recognition more difficult.
Student IDs enhance school safety in various ways and act as a tool of recognition that keeps students safe, without being a major inconvenience for students. The use of IDs benefits the school and students by ensuring everyone’s safety and will be beneficial for years to come.
Read another Lions’ Digest opinion on school IDs HERE!
