Tought Leader
disabilities on the school bus ride
7.
Information and training about medical conditions and the impact on the school bus ride
8. Safe utilization of specialized equipment
9. Use of behavioral intervention plans on the school bus
10. Use of surveillance videos to improve school bus safety
Te Office of Civil Rights has and will continue to investigate allegations involving the lack of adequate training of school bus drivers and attendants. Te individualized education program (IEP) is recognized as the appropriate source of information and documentation to inform transportation offices about individual specialized transportation requirements. Tere have been multiple noncompliance findings regarding the failure of a bus driver’s use of inappropriate disciplinary strategies to correct behavior issues. Video surveillance continues to confirm parent allegations regarding the use of inappropriate behavioral interventions and strategies. Tis area requires attention in order to respond to negative media. It is timely to raise awareness about the importance of driver and attendant training for complex children with special needs and disabilities. States and school districts should closely examine their current driver and attendant training programs for these children. It is essential to evaluate the relevance of training curriculum content.
School Bus Driver Special Needs/Disability
•
Maintain thorough working knowledge of all laws, proce- dures and regulations governing school bus drivers and student transportation.
• Responsible for maintaining bus in good repair, clean bus daily and replenishes fuel and oil as needed. Drive vehicle safely while transporting children.
•
• Perform pre-trip and post-trip inspection on bus. • •
Monitor appropriate behavior of students. Maintain discipline and control of children.
• Report inappropriate behavior. • Oversee any special needs of the students on the bus • Assist students loading onto bus. • Conduct required passenger instruction. • Administer first aid to passengers as required. •
• Perform evacuation drills, as required. • Complete all required reports timely. •
Other duties as may be needed.
In some states, litigants have successfully sued school districts in matters related to driver and attendant training. A review of cur- rent standards of driver and attendant training should be looked at to establish a baseline for excellence. States have significant differences in the total number of hours required for driver and attendant training prior to providing transportation for students with special needs and disabilities. Tis topic is worthy of an up- to-date, comprehensive national survey. In summary, neither the IDEA or Section 504 specifically ad-
dress the required driver and attendant curriculum for transporting students with special needs and disabilities. However, the IDEA regulations state in section 300.156 that the state education agency must establish and maintain qualifications to ensure that personnel necessary to carry out the purposes of this part are appropriately and adequately prepared and trained, including that those person- nel have the content knowledge and skills to serve children with disabilities. Tis requirement includes related services personnel such as drivers and attendants. It is timely to applaud those states and school districts that have
exemplary driver and attendant training programs and concurrent- ly raise the standard for others. Regardless of where a child resides, they require the same standard of care and deserve the maximum opportunity for a safe ride. ●
Special Needs School Bus Attendant Special Needs/ Disability
• Assist in pre-trip and post-trip inspection of the bus. • Assist driver in completion of required paperwork. •
Clean the inside of the bus including sweeping, dusting and cleaning windows.
Operate wheelchair lift, harness, and other special equip- ment necessary for the health and safety of children.
Interact thoughtfully and courteously with children, staff and parents
• Resolve conflict in a professional manner. •
• Know the route and be familiar with required stops. • Attend all required safety and training meetings. • Remain alert to monitor children on the bus. • Keep order on the bus. • Communicate behavior problems with the driver. • Cooperate and communicate with school personnel. • Cooperate and communicate with parents. • Cooperate and communicate with students. • Assists children in the loading and unloading process. • •
Place children in Child Safety Restraint Systems. Operate the wheelchair lift.
• Conduct emergency evacuation from the bus. •
Other specialized functions as required by contract.
28 School Transportation News • JULY 2017
CELEBRATING25YEARS
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