The Fifth Annual Survey of School Administrators, conducted from May 9-17, 2024, offers a comprehensive look into the current trends and challenges associated with ID badging in educational institutions. Despite a noticeable decline in participation, with 62 contacts completing the survey compared to 159 in 2023, the results provide valuable insights, especially considering the recent release of the State of ID Badging survey in early April.
Increasing Use of ID Badging
One of the most significant findings from the survey is the continued rise in the use of ID badging. Over 40% of respondents reported an increase in ID badging usage over the past two years, a 10% rise from the previous survey. The breakdown of responses over the past three years illustrates this trend:
Differentiated Use by Students and Staff
The survey reveals distinct differences in how ID badges are utilized by students compared to staff. For students, ID badges are primarily used for accessing services such as meals or library resources, visual identification, and attending events outside of campus. In contrast, nearly 60% of staff use ID badges for entering premises or rooms.
Emerging Trends and Influential Factors
A predominant trend identified by respondents is the increasing demand for enhanced security features in ID badging. This highlights a growing emphasis on ensuring the safety and security of educational environments.
When it comes to ordering ID badging supplies, respondents ranked price and product options as the most critical factors. The ability to source all ID badging supplies from a single vendor also emerged as a significant consideration.
Production and Technological Integration
The majority of badges are produced on-site, with 61.4% of respondents indicating this practice. However, a notable 33.3% rely on a centralized location within their institution or district, and a small fraction (5.3%) use third-party services such as school photographers.
Additionally, the interest in integrating mobile devices for building access remains consistent, with around 30% of respondents either already using or interested in using mobile devices for this purpose.
Conclusion
The Fifth Annual Survey of School Administrators underscores the evolving landscape of ID badging in educational settings. As schools continue to prioritize security and convenience, the use of ID badges is expected to grow and adapt to new technological advancements. The insights gathered from this survey will be crucial for administrators as they navigate the challenges and opportunities in ID badging.