KEYRIS MANZANARES: With the school year wrapped up for summer, Richmond Public School families and district leaders are looking back at one of their biggest policy changes: clear backpacks.

One year in, RPS leaders say the policy has cut back on banned items like vape pens on school grounds.

WESLEY HEDGEPETH: And so it's hopeful, that we're seeing, less and less infractions when it comes to our student population, because of the clear backpack policy.

KEYRIS MANZANARES: The policy started after a rise in safety concerns and long lines for students passing through security checkpoints.

But some students say their new clear backpacks have some clear problems and aren't a one size fits all solution.

DEON WRIGHT JR.: You're making us wear clear book bags, but every morning we come in and get bags checked.

We go through metal detectors.

We wait in long lines for it, so it almost feels redundant.

Like, why have us change what we're used to, switch over to something that's definitely faulty, a lesser version, and then we're still getting our bag checked regardless?

KEYRIS MANZANARES: While parents say durability and policy enforcement could still be improved.

DEON WRIGHT SR.: I don't know if they've figured out how to fully implement this with consistency.

I think I've seen some inconsistencies with the different types of students.

Whether they're regular students, whether they're athletes and how things are transported with the bags and just the overall condition of the bag.

KEYRIS MANZANARES: Under the policy, athletic bags and instrument cases that are not clear are still allowed, as well as lunchboxes and personal pouches.

However, at the elementary level, parents say the clear backpack policy offers peace of mind.

MARIA MARTINEZ: So now with the clear backpack, I can just see what's in his backpack quickly.

Without having to do that extra step or remember every day in the morning.

And it also discourages him from even thinking about bringing the toy to the school.

KEYRIS MANZANARES: The district has not yet released a data review of the clear backpack policy.

It remains in effect.

Keyris Manzanares, VPM News.