694
Chicago Turns All Public School IDs Into Library Cards To Boost Student Access
(blockclubchicago.org)
this post was submitted on 09 Apr 2026
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The fuck is a school ID? You make kids carry ID? O.o
That is not a new concept though. Even twenzy years agonwe had some laminated paper cards with our pictures, names and student number. Those were used for the school library, as a deposit to get some basketballs, footballs, jumping ropes etc during recess and sometimes you could get some discount at local döner stops, cinema etc.
That's in Europe though, so no check-ins with x-ray gates and gun searches.
For lunch, tests, absences, etc
Why would you need an id for any of that
Edit: with lunch at least I could see it if it doubled as some sort of payment card or indicated free lunch, etc. But the others?
It's really just a card that has your picture and student ID number, which is in effect the database key that links to that student's records. It might have an NFC tag for building/room access as well. There's lots of schools that have literal thousands of students, so an ID card is mostly a convenience thing.
Yes it does. They may be used to indicate some privileges their parents agreed to like being allowed off campus for lunch. Or to check out books from the school library.
Tests? Absences?
No they aren't used for tests or attendance. You could totally function going to school without your ID on you and not get in trouble if you don't have it, you just might not get access to all the equipment and resources the school offers
I understand how it sounds like a police state thing but it has been a thing even when it was laminated paper. It is also only tied to the school and shows only a pic, name , student ID number and then obviously whatever school it is because they all have unique designs and layouts.
Also it's super fun if you hanged onto them every year!
OK, I was replying specifically about the tests and absences comment
In terms of test, they required our ID for AP and SAT testing. For absences, I might have just mis remembered that one. I meant tardiness
The only thing we ever used them in for in school was to log onto the computers, but if you knew your numbers you were good, never required. Someone else mentioned deals you could get though, lotta places you could eat for under $5 with student ID, movies, college one let me ride the city and college bus for free.
Along with what the others said, ours also served as a ticket for all regional public transport. Pretty sure that's common in Europe at least
Y'all are lucky. Mine never got me much of anything. Hell, they started doing a thing where students high school and younger age get free public bus rides, with school ID, a few years back. I would have loved to have that for the days I missed the school bus.
But at least I technically get the same thing with college, but it isn't helpful during my end of quarter breaks and relies on me having my college ID on me so it can go through a pass reader thing that they're starting to slowly phase out.