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Schools continually work to provide students with safe environments where they can thrive. The support of the community—including dedicated volunteers as well as first responders and local organizations—plays a crucial role in enriching the educational experience and improving and upholding safety initiatives.
Traditional methods of background checks and ID verification, however, have limitations that create security gaps. According to a 2022 survey by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), many schools still rely on manual sign-in processes. Typically, volunteers, workers, or parents sign in at the front office, receive a visitor badge, and are granted access.
Moreover, 57% of U.S. states received a grade of “C” or below in a nationwide study by USA Today on teacher background check systems because of insufficient policies for conducting and updating background checks for staff and visitors, leaving room for individuals with criminal backgrounds to exploit system weaknesses.
These processes have been the same for decades, but they are easily manipulated or bypassed. This means that anyone could potentially gain access to students with little more than a forged ID or a friendly demeanor.
A New Way Forward: Biometric Identity Verification and Continuous Background Screening
Leveraging technology is crucial for creating safe environments. Modern background checks and ID verification offer significant benefits, especially when integrated with visitor management processes:
- Enhanced Security: Ensures only authorized individuals gain access to school premises, reducing potential risks.
- Streamlined Processes: Automates identity verification, saving time and reducing administrative workload.
- Increased Trust: Builds confidence among parents, staff, and students through transparent and reliable safety measures.
- Bolstered Safety: Addressing these vulnerabilities requires a modernized approach. Biometric identity verified background screenings can be a low-cost and simple step schools can take to immediately boost the safety of their communities.
- Affordable and Fast: According to the Security Industry Association, biometric identity verification reduces the risk of identity fraud by 99.9%, making it a highly reliable method for safeguarding access to school environments. Leveraging this identity data to ensure background screenings are being performed on the correct individual reduces both operational and legal costs, while making these verifications faster for the community member.
- Convenient for Everyone: In addition, this technical solution makes adoption simple. Biometric identity verification and background screenings can be ordered at a user’s convenience before ever setting foot in school. This verification can then be easily confirmed by anyone—whether teachers, administrators, or students—using their own devices, all without requiring a dedicated app. This approach ensures that identity and background checks are quick, user-friendly, and accessible, reducing logistical challenges and facilitating a smooth transition to enhanced safety protocols.
Integrating modern technologies like biometric identity verification and automated background checks not only ensure a secure environment by allowing only authorized individuals access but also streamline administrative processes.
This efficiency is vital in encouraging greater volunteer participation, as illustrated by the impact seen in Houston ISD.
“Volunteers are no longer discouraged by long processing wait times. The rapid turnaround time with the integration between JDP and Raptor has increased the number of volunteers who sign up. It is very important for families to be a part of their children’s education, so simplifying the volunteer application process with this integration has had a real impact on our students’ wellbeing.” Christal Perez, Background Fingerprinting Tech at Houston ISD
Let’s take a closer look at how the JDP and Raptor VolunteerSafe integration supports the district.
JDP and Raptor VolunteerSafe in Action
Houston ISD faced challenges with an overwhelming manual workload. Raptor and JDP streamlined this process, reducing clearance time drastically from weeks to hours. This efficiency mirrors the advantage of biometric systems in speeding up identity verification.
The system’s reporting capabilities provided essential operational insights:
- Automated screening against databases ensures only authorized access.
- Detailed reports support data-driven decisions.
- Enhanced safety protocols build community trust.
Raptor and JDP’s integration exemplifies how modern technology can revolutionize school security, enhancing safety and efficiency. Schools adopting these solutions can foster secure learning environments where students thrive.
Protecting Our Kids: The Imperative to Act Now
Advanced identity verification is the first step in background screening and enables schools to build trust, foster confidence, and ensure that everyone who steps onto school grounds is there to help students thrive.
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