What's in an ID badge? Not much, according to some teens who attend area schools.
Identification badges now are required in most schools as part of stricter dress code policies instituted in the summer in response to last spring's Columbine High School shootings in Colorado. Students exiting Lakeside High School last week had their badges clipped to book bags or clothing or dangling around their necks on colored lanyards.
``I don't think it's changed the school really. It hasn't made it safer,'' said Joseph Shipes, 15, a freshman. Most identification badges include the student's name, photo,graduation year and personal bar code. Teachers, administrators, volunteers and visitors are similarly labeled.
Some teens don't take the badges seriously. In the tradition of wearing a boyfriend's letter jacket or class ring, young couples trade badges to show their devotion. Some keep an extra badge handy for friends who've forgotten or lost theirs.
And while defacing badges is a no-no, some IDs are garnished with glittery glaze or cutout cartoon characters. ``If I have to wear it, I want it to say something about me,'' explained Robyn Christy, 15, a freshman who painted a purple metallic border on hers. Although tired of the battle over stricter dress codes, many teens wonder whether badges are a hindrance or a help. Eryn Foley, 17, a junior at Lakeside, is one of many teens who've never had disciplinary problems but are facing detention, Saturday school or in-school suspension for not wearing their badges or leaving them at home. The punishment for forgotten badges doesn't fit the crime, according to members of the Xtreme teen board, who discussed the issue at last month's meeting.
Teen-board members argued that while dress codes are supposed to make students relax and feel safe, the constant threat of detention for misplacing or forgetting a badge makes school more stressful and disrupts student and parent schedules.
Richmond County School Superintendent Charles Larke said the penalties are fair but he hopes fair warning will be given to students before extreme measures are taken. `The punishments for the dress code are fair, and the ID badges are part of the dress code for high school students,'' Dr. Larke said. ``In all of these situations it requires some common sense. I think you have to have consequences to get students to follow the rules. The penalties were recommended by a committee (of school administrators and officials), but I supported them and don't think they're too harsh. If it gets to a point where somebody may be suspended for not wearing an ID badge we may review it. I think they should give students some fair warning.''
The cost of providing badges differs by school district. The Richmond County Board of Education purchased a photo ID machine for more than $18,000 to create badges this year. It should have all high school students in the system outfitted with badges soon. Currently, middle schools in Columbia County require ID badges. Richmond County may extend the policy to middle schools in the next year, according to Dr. Larke. The initial cost of the badges at Lakeside was about $2,000, according to Principal Julius McAnally. The school also purchased a digital camera for $600 and laminating machine for about $40 to create badges in-house for new students. Lance Poss, safety officer at Lakeside, said he makes about five new badges a day for students who've lost theirs. Initial badges free of charge, but replacement badges cost about $5 at most schools.
Some students said money spent on IDs should go toward more effective derrents to violence, such as free-standing metal detectors at each school entrance.
High school students in Aiken County have had IDs since the early 1990s. When the badge issue was discussed at the teen board meeting, students from small, private schools were baffled over all the fuss. At schools like Augusta Preparatory Day School and Aquinas High School, students don't wear ID badges and say there is no need: Students are on a first-name basis with teachers at their schools, and strangers on campus are easily recognized. ``You know who's supposed to be there and who's not,'' said Emili Ballweg, 15, a sophomore at Aquinas. Students acknowledged that ID badges are a requirement for many jobs, including those in journalism, medicine and manufacturing. But they still don't like them. '`I guess in the real world people have to wear IDs, but why inflict the real world on us now?'' Eryn asked.

Nothing like starting off with the brainwashing nice and young eh? Whatya think there Hokie and Zog? The future of the country... a totalitarian dictatorship under the guise of a Liberal-Socialist "We Love You All...as long as you follow the rules and obey us." leadership. Hitler would be thrilled to think that his National Socialist Agenda has been re-written, and put forth under the banner of Democratcy.

"...currently, middle schools in Columbia County require ID badges. Richmond County may extend the policy to middle schools in the next year, according to Dr. Larke"

This is blantant skull-bathing of the highest order. "Here you go, welcome to your school, here's your badge and barcode. Don't even try to think while you are here. Just sit back, don't destroy anyone or anything, and at the end of twelve years, you'll have the option to continue further if you choose to." Gawdhelpmme...I think I'm gonna puke.

-- Billy Boy (Rakkasan101st@Aol.com), February 01, 2000

Answers

It looks like the "frog in hot water" thing, again! First, a name tag at school, then one at work, then one for everyone; then harsher penalties for forgetting it (most of us accept this with our driver's license). Then comes all the hassle if it is lost or stolen. Then. . .We have a solution! Here is an implantable microchip; it will never be lost, stolen, or left at home! (And it comes with a stylish slave collar to wear around your neck!)

-- Gypsi (GypsiGold@aol.com), February 01, 2000.

what the hell is wrong with the PARENTS??!?! don't they see anything wrong with this? are they a little too fond of their money to change their own schedule enough to maybe homeschool for the last few years or change schools (private?)?? the school district is treating their children like cattle and the parents are standing there chewing their cud!

-- sarah (sarahlyao@aol.com), February 01, 2000.

Man, I just can't resist...

GPS Chip Can Find you Anywhere

The future is closer than you think.

-- Hillbilly (Hillbilly@possum.creek), February 01, 2000.

Lets just skip all the implants and get right to the tattoo ID's. No purchases, no nothing without your tattoo ID.

-- JB (noway@jose.com), February 01, 2000.

Since we are talking about High School Stock Yards,why not a nice yellow Tag riveted in the Ear.The Principle should get one in both Ears.

-- Liberator (Feeding@the Trough.com), February 01, 2000.

I hate to be a parrot, but unfortunately the system is in "full effect" as the Workforce Investment Act is implemented. Most people are socialized enough to feel a sense of belonging and safety through identification and tracking processes.This is legitimate and desirable in the ideal world. But for that feeling to be justified the system demands competent administrators and a very low margin of error. That simply is not the case now. The WIA has many good points, the most desirable being universal access of the 'Net through the career centers and USER ACCESS WITHOUT IDENTIFICATION. The downside is the linking of all data on an individual citizen. Again, Forum members, take a minute to peruse the WIA and look at your state web sites! Public awareness of a system enhances the probability of efficient functioning.

-- another government hack (keepwatching_2000@yahoo.com), February 01, 2000.