Tought Leader


When Should an Attendant Be Assigned to a School Bus Serving Students with Disabilities?


WRITTEN BY LINDA F. BLUTH, E.D.D. O


ver the past year, an insurmountable number of questions were brought to my attention on the topic


of school bus attendants. Both transpor- tation and special education adminis- trators alike asked thought-provoking questions about the role and responsibil- ities of bus attendants. One of the first questions raised was, “Is the


appropriate term bus attendant or bus monitor?” I went directly to Wikipedia for guidance. I quickly learned that the two terms were used interchange- ably. One term is no more correct than the other. However, when asked if I had a preference, I quickly responded, “Bus attendant.” My pref- erence is personal and based upon attitude. It should also be noted that bus aide can also be used synonymously with bus attendant and monitor. Wikipedia shares the following description: “A bus monitor or bus attendant is someone who assumes responsibility for the safety of children on a school bus. Specific tasks may include:


• Helping to load students onto the bus • Ensuring students are well behaved • Assisting the driver • Conducting safety drills


A bus monitor can also be responsible for people with special needs. Tese tasks can include but are not limited to:


• Loading and unloading wheelchairs • Putting proper safety equipment on riders • Knowledge of their special needs passengers • Ability to stay calm during an emergency”


Te second question asked was, “When should it be determined that a bus attendant is required for children with disabilities?” I immediately sug- gested separating the question into two separate queries. Te first is, “When is it recommended


22School Transportation News • NOVEMBER 2016


that a bus attendant be placed on a school bus with children with disabil- ities?” And secondly, “How should it be determined when a bus attendant is required for an individual child with disabilities?” As a starting point, I advise that school districts check their respective state re- quirements to identify if a bus attendant


is required on board when serving children with disabilities. If there are no state requirements the next step is to review the school district’s written policies and procedures regarding this matter. It is strongly recommended to establish written criteria for determining the use of bus attendants on school buses serving children with disabilities. Te school board should approve policies and procedures. Te next step is to match the school board’s policies and procedures with the written attendant job description. As an expert witness, I have learned from the testimony of bus attendants that too often there is a discrepancy between a written job description and daily responsibilities.


Bluth is the retired director of quality assurance and monitoring for the Maryland State Department of Education. She is also a past president and a Tenured Faculty member of the Transporting Students with Disabilities & Preschoolers National Conference.


It is important to consider the option of more than one attendant on a school bus when there are multiple children with specialized needs.


When it is determined that a school bus


attendant is required for an individual child, the decision should only be made by the Individual- ized Education Program (IEP) team. Attendant job functions are to be specified in accordance with the child’s IEP. One caution to be wary of is when using bus


attendants to meet medical IEP transportation services not allowable by the Nurse Practice Act in each state. Tere is sufficient case law to sup- port this requirement. It is important to consider


CELEBRATING25YEARS


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