When I was in high school, we had to carry out picture IDs (which were color-coded depending on what grade you were in), but only needed them to get
into dances or buy lunch. They had a barcode that was scanned to deduct money from a prepaid account for lunch. If you had no money for lunch, and
brought cash, you could still buy with that. If you forgot your card, they could access the account with your student number.
We
did have to wear nametags at all times. If you wore a sweatshirt, the nametag had to be on that. Had to be on the outermost layer of your
uniform. First name, last name, year of graduation. You got written up for not having it, and after three times being written up, you got Saturday
detention. It was a private school.
My mother is a dean of discipline at a public high school. The students there are required to wear picture ID clipped to their uniforms at all times.
That's because there has been so many fights and issues in the past. This way, a teacher might not know a student, but can identify who was
involved in a fight, or who was where they weren't supposed to be, etc. They have also had problems where expelled students came back to fight
people or start fires. When you are expelled, they take your ID away. So if someone doesn't have an ID on, it's an automatic redflag that there is
a problem.
When you get out of school, just take it off. Maybe you should ask to speak with your principal or someone like that. Explain your concerns about
wearing it, and ask why they are required. Do this in a calm and mature manner, and you're more likely to be heard. You may not change anything,
but at least you'll get an explanation for why it's required.
If you do that, and are still upset, maybe you should contact the school board. Ask if this is something that is standard for the school district, or
specific to just your school.
It's unlikely that you'll get this policy changed, though. Schools have a duty to provide a safe learning environment for their students, and
students are limited with respect to certain rights in order for that safe environment to be accomplished. It sucks when you're there, but the good
news is that you're only there for a few years.
Good luck to you. It could be worse... I had to wear penny loafers every damn day at my high school.