tounding, which makes it all the more frustrating to me that we continue to have such a wide variance from one local- ity to another in the amount of training and related knowledge. Although there are common core ele-
ments, it seems that we still do not have what other industries would call consis- tent “standards.” Let’s use driver training as an example. Beyond the core, pre-ser- vice and in-service training requirements vary widely, not only from state to state but also from service provider to service provider. Vehicle inspection standards vary widely, too. In my view, it is time to for us to take in-
ventory of where we stand as an industry. If we want to gain the confidence of fami- lies that have made a conscious choice to reject the school bus as a transporta- tion option, it seems to me we could do some very simple things to address their concerns. First, we should talk to them and listen to what they have to say. We need to understand and learn more about their perspective rather than assuming we know what they think and want. Second, we should have little, if any, tolerance for transportation personnel who are not aware of best practices. Tere is abundant information about school transportation specifications and procedures, ranging from direct technical assistance and peer networks through national and state as- sociations to publications and online education. It has been more than four decades since
I became actively involved in this industry. My tenure has given me a wide range of experience, from answering parent and/ or other child advocate phone calls and addressing their concerns to serving as an appointed monitor and expert witness. In this latter role, I too frequently have to point out the casual attitude of school districts regarding industry standards and focus on deficiencies
in transportation
practices. I see this as all the more reason to raise awareness about the depth and breadth of information available to help transportation personnel do their jobs to the best of their ability. Tat alone will im- prove our standards. Today’s transportation challenges re- quire excellence to sustain the respect and
www.stnonline.com 59
confidence we worked so hard to receive from our customers and constituents. We can keep the yellow bus on the road by ensuring that everyone meets the highest possible standards. Tere would be noth- ing better than being endorsed by parents who share their confidence in the yellow bus with their children. ■
Bluth concludes her tenure this month as president of NAPT. She is also a qual- ity assurance specialist with Maryland State Department of Education’s Division of Special Education/Early Intervention Services. She may be reached via e-mail at
lfbluth@verizon.com.
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