SMART Tag

The Smart tag system ensures authorized student riders board Katy ISD buses, improving the safety and security of all children who depend on school bus services.

Privacy and Data:

Katy ISD student ID cards are safe. We utilize PVC cards with a passive RFID chip containing only a unique identification (UID) number. The UID in the chip is read by district card readers, and used to reference student information. The latest cloud technology, encryption, and security protocols ensure your child’s information is secure.

What is SMART tag™?

SMART tag™ is a system designed to increase the safety and security of students who use school bus transportation. A secure on-board tablet on each school bus:

Records when and where students get on and off their bus
Provides bus arrival notifications for school administrators and parents

Privacy and Data

Our student ID cards are safe and secure. We use PVC cards with a passive RFID chip containing only a unique identification (UID) number. The UID in the chip is read by our card reader, and our system uses it to reference student information. The latest cloud technology, encryption, and security protocols ensure your child’s information is secure.

How does my child use SMART tag™?

Schools using SMART tag™ assign student ID cards to each student. As students enter and exit their bus, they tap these ID cards onto a card reader. Each time a student taps their ID card on the bus, the bus driver’s on-board tablet helps validate:

Your child got on the correct bus route
Your child got off at the correct stop
No student information is stored on the ID card.
SMART tag ID’s are passive RFID, meaning our cards are not powered internally.
School district approved personnel and registered guardians have sole access to your child’s information.

How SMART tag ID Cards work

Resources

Parent Letter

Parent Letter - Spanish

Frequently Asked Questions

What is SMART tag™?

SMART tag™ is a full-featured system designed to ensure authorized ridership resulting in increased safety and security of students who utilize school bus transportation. Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology and cloud-connected tablet computers in each school bus provide accurate, near real-time information. Secured Mobility, LLC, a privately held technology company located in Georgetown, TX, is the developer of SMART tag™. Secured Mobility has more than a decade of experience in developing security software and hardware and deploying cloud-hosting infrastructure. ™

If a student forgets their Smart Tag ID, can they ride the bus?

How does SMART tag™ benefit transportation departments and school administrators?

How does SMART tag™ benefit parents/guardians?

Is student information stored on the SMART tag™?

The student’s name is printed on the front of the SMART tag™. There is no student information stored on the card. To purchase a replacement SMART tag ID badge, parents/guardians should contact their child’s respective campus front office. The replacement fee is $3, but it does not include the lanyard and plastic sleeve. The lanyard is an extra $1 and the sleeve is an extra $1 as well. This is posted in the student handbook. Replacement cards can be requested through the campus office. Replacement cards include the SMART tag™, a clear plastic sleeve, and a break-away lanyard.

Are students required to use their SMART tag™ to ride the bus?

Yes, in order to foster increased student safety and security as well as to provide a more efficient process of loading and unloading our buses, SMART tag™ ID badges will be required for all riders. If a student does not have their SMART tag™ at the bus stop, the driver must log them in manually (by hand). This is more time consuming than students tagging in and can delay a route.

Will students receive a new SMART tag™ every year?

Is there a SMART tag™ Parent App available?

Can the parent view their student bus activity (AM/PM)?

Yes, the parent/guardian can view a student’s ridership activity for the entire school year upon full implementation of the program. If the parent/guardian wants to review the daily history, it will take a minute from loading/unloading the bus for SMART tag™ to update the records due to network connectivity. Parents/guardians should be aware; it may take longer if there is a poor signal, or the network provider is experiencing a delay/latency issue outside of Katy ISD’s control.