Clear Backpack Policies May Be Spreading in Texas Schools
The things we do in the name of safety.
There aren't many events you can go to in the United States where a clear bag policy is not in place. Clear bag policies are in place at sports venues, music halls, theaters and just about everywhere else large gatherings of people might be. That idea may be expanding to more school buildings in the near future. Why? Safety, of course.
Dallas ISD is the latest school district considering a clear backpack policy. According to the Dallas Morning News, Dallas ISD officials say they have been considering a move in backpack policy for a while, but after the school shooting in Uvalde the policy change seems to have gained some momentum.
Dallas ISD wouldn't be the first to have clear backpacks. School districts around the state are moving towards the new policy, according to the Dallas Morning News:
Other Texas districts already have a clear backpack policy. The Houston-area Cypress-Fairbanks ISD, for example, has required them for older students since 2018.
Now Kennedale ISD, about 10 miles outside of Fort Worth, is mandating all students in sixth through 12th grade use clear backpacks beginning this fall. Greenville ISD also recently announced they are requiring transparent bags to improve safety.
In a message to families, GISD officials wrote it was a “common-sense measure is becoming more common at both school and public events.”
Other school safety policies Texas schools will prioritize after Uvalde include: inspecting every exterior door of campus before school starts, conducting summer safety audits and reviewing emergency operations protocol.
Not everyone is on board with the idea of clear backpacks for all students. Some say it's an issue of privacy, while others believe it erodes trust.
If I had to bet, I'd say that we'll continue to see clear bags and backpacks spread from district to district, particularly in the larger districts.