A school security policy requiring students to wear photo identification on lanyards is expanding through west and mid-Coachella Valley schools, according to MyDesert.com.

Nine schools in Desert Sands Unified School District and five schools in Palm Springs Unified School District now require its students to wear IDs around their necks. The most recent additions are Amistad Continuation High School and Rancho Mirage High School.

The lanyards provide major security benefits, said school officials. The IDs prevent misbehaving students from giving false names to school staff, a concern at larger schools. They also distinguish students from non-students, which could crucial at high schools where young adults - or students from another school - could otherwise blend into a campus.

In addition, the ID security policy makes it easy for staff and first responders to identify students who fall unconscious or suffer a seizure.

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