behavior. With some forethought, it can also dramatically improve your ability to be responsive to unanticipated requests for information almost as easily as those you expect. From my experience monitoring trans-
portation compliance as it pertains to federal and state regulations regarding special education, systemic success boils down to leadership. Te most successful transportation departments are run by people who are consistently good at: (1) pre-planning; (2) setting day-to-day goals and targets as well as future goals and targets; (3) budgeting while understand- ing fiscal limitations; (4) organizing in a manner that supports personnel, dele- gating, and being accessible; (5) problem solving, particularly having multiple technical assistance resources available to assist with daily challenges; (6) sys- temically avoiding on-going problems by monitoring the results of issues ad- dressed; (7) being knowledgeable about industry technology availability; and (8) being flexible without compromising student safety. It goes without saying that these people are also proactive rather than reactive, and they have the ability to overcome resistance to change. Successful leaders also make a strong commitment to well-timed communica- tion with key stakeholders. From my experience and perspective,
most transportation operations that are successful in avoiding systemic prob- lems share two common characteristics. First, they are led by a highly competent transportation director with a positive leadership style, who can answer ques- tions with a level of detail that meets or exceeds the expectations of the person asking the question, makes data-driven decisions with input from internal and external stakeholders and understands the importance of networking and main- taining relationships that balance what is needed to provide commendable trans- portation services with a keen knowledge of the reality of what superintendents of schools and school board members will support. Second, successful systems also do seemingly simple things, like ensuring there is proper equipment and well- trained staff available to assist a student
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with disabilities that is going on a field trip, regularly and without drama. Tey work consistently to improve their skills, which helps them be resourceful in circumstance requiring unanticipated intervention(s). In short, they have a systemic ability to focus on the student needs as the primary consideration from day-to-day and over time. Tese characteristics consistently result in the safe and timely arrival of students to and from school. ■
Dr. Bluth is the president of the National Association for Pupil Transportation and a quality and assurance and monitor specialist for the Maryland State Department of Education.
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