New Security Measures for Fort Worth Students
Starting in the 2025-26 school year, all students within the Fort Worth Independent School District will be required to wear photo ID badges throughout the school day and during after-school activities. This new policy is part of a broader effort to enhance school safety and streamline student identification across various campus functions.
The ID badges will serve multiple purposes beyond just security. Students will use them to check out library books, borrow equipment such as laptops, and purchase à la carte food options during lunch. This integration aims to simplify daily operations while ensuring that only authorized individuals can access certain resources.
Students who fail to display their ID badges may face disciplinary actions, ranging from verbal warnings to more severe consequences like school suspensions. The district has emphasized the importance of compliance with this rule, highlighting its role in maintaining a safe and organized learning environment.
Superintendent Karen Molinar addressed concerns raised by parents during a recent school board meeting. Some parents expressed worries about the lanyards being a potential choking hazard for younger students. In response, the district has opted for breakaway lanyards, which are designed to detach easily if pulled. These lanyards will not be worn during recess or physical education classes to further reduce any risk.
The ID badges will also play a role in the district’s bus system. They will be used for check-in and check-out procedures on school buses, but they will not include any tracking devices. Molinar clarified that the primary purpose of the badges is identification, not surveillance, to reassure parents about student privacy.
To accommodate students who forget their ID badges at home, temporary badges will be available. However, there will be a fee of $5 for replacing a lost permanent badge. This cost is intended to encourage students to take responsibility for their identification and avoid unnecessary administrative burdens.
This initiative is not unique to Fort Worth. Several other districts in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex have already implemented similar policies or are in the process of doing so. For example, Dallas ISD is rolling out a districtwide ID badge system for the upcoming school year. Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD is requiring secondary students to wear ID badges, while Frisco ISD began its program in the 2022-23 school year.
Richardson ISD introduced ID badges for elementary students in the 2024-25 school year, though it had already required secondary students to wear them for nearly two decades. These trends reflect a growing emphasis on student identification as a key component of school safety and operational efficiency.
The first day of school for Fort Worth ISD is scheduled for August 12. With the implementation of the ID badge policy, the district aims to create a more secure and organized environment for students, staff, and families alike.
