HEADLINES


Special Needs Transportation Training Program Recipients Bring Best Practices Full Circle


By Sylvia Arroyo Transporting students is one thing, but


transporting students with special needs requires a whole other set of considerations, precautions and best practices. Tat’s why NAPT’s Special Needs Transportation (SNT) Training program has been gaining momentum in the industry. Regardless of their experience in and


knowledge of the industry, those who have received this endorsement have


taken


away some best practices that can benefit their organization and the industry at large. “Te most important thing that this


program teaches is the basics of what we do and why we do it; for example, knowing what IDEA is based on and understanding why you can’t do this or why you have to do something a certain way,” said Marisa Weisinger, technical specialist and consultant with Innovative Transportation Solutions, a division of the Texas Education Agency. A 24-year industry veteran, Weisinger was


one of three Texas transportation officials to first receive their endorsements in 2010. Te SNT Training program offers all the


necessary fundamental education and training related to transporting students with disabilities. Anyone from the industry can participate in the program, which consists of six special needs courses in a variety of settings, including a school bus roadeo and a trade show of school transportation products and services. Te program has been offered at the


annual NAPT conference for the past three years, and for the second consecutive year will be offered at the Transporting Students with Disabilities and Preschoolers 21st National Exhibition and Conference in March. Linda Bluth, compliance coordinator


at the Maryland State Department of Education and NAPT past-president, helped create and launch the SNT program two years ago. She also participated in the program, and became the fourth person in


the nation to complete the certification. “I thought it was essential to have a cost-


efficient program for people and set it up for someone who could do this program for less money than going to any conference,” she said. “My goal is that 10 people finish it in a year, and the type of people who are taking it…be industry mentors.” As of this writing, 17 student transporters


in 13 states had completed the coursework. Despite developing the curriculum, Bluth


said she also benefited from participating in the program. “Te thing I learned going through this


is that there is always new information, and the importance of being well rounded and diverse,” Bluth said. Tami Lynn Cooper, regional training for Student Transportation of


manager


America and the 12th person to receive the SNT certification, cited the special needs bus evacuation as one of the program’s best practices. “You learn how you have to be able to prioritize, and how every scenario will present something different. It’s the students’ ability versus their disability,” she said. Cooper added that much of what she


learned was beneficial in developing her company’s best practice programs and teaching its drivers. “To become more involved and to teach them what to look for so we have a standard across the board. You can’t standardize everything, but we’re trying to go that way so our drivers can be the best they can be.” Michele Drorbaugh, assistant manager


of field operations for Seattle (Wash.) Public Schools and the 10th SNT Training program recipient, said the program provided her with the necessary bits and pieces of information to update her knowledge. “I’m very involved with special needs in


Washington, especially with the roadeo, and the program really helps to think of scenarios and really honing your skills for


22 School Transportation News Magazine February 2012


Tami Lynn Cooper, regional training manager with Student Transportation of America, is the 12th person nationwide to receive the SNT Training program endorsement.


‘what if’ it happens time,” she said. As


noted it is crucial


far as best practices, Drorbaugh to keep everyone


apprised to do their best. “It’s a way to measure how we’re doing. Tat’s what I like about the certification — that more so than anything,” she said. “It will help people understand what they need to know in a time of crisis.” Te legal issues and policies involved


with transporting students with special needs are some best practices, commented Renee Davis,


transportation supervisor


for Spring (Texas) Independent School District and one of the first SNT Training program recipients. “Tere are so many laws and, in some transportation officials


cases, are not


invited to IEP meetings. We have to be able to teach our attendants,” she said. Davis added that, in the end, the entire


program should be considered best practice because it brings the special needs training full circle, exploring all areas in transportation. “With special needs students, every day


is a different day, so what’s consistent for us is inconsistency. Tis endorsement offers the resources we need along with the networking and constantly reviewing what we do.” n


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