Computerized pupil transportation systems offer promising benefits to school districts. Outlines ways school administrators can select the right product by following some traditional business approaches. (MLF)

School districts experiencing student transportation problems along with limited staff ability and time, and extremely sensitive issues, can benefit from a transportation consultant. A pupil transportation consultant can assist districts in management studies, staff development, and operations. (MLF)

School transportation experts consider the following essential rules in purchasing school buses: know your geography; know federal and state regulations; write specifications carefully; plan for replacement and growth; check out prospective bidders; keep up with recent trends; and remain flexible. New Jersey enacted a law last year requiring seat…

Michigan has long advocated local control of education, a philosophy that particularly applies to purchasing school buses. To counter adverse legal actions stemming from noncompetitive bidding practices, the Michigan School Business Officials and the Michigan Association for Pupil Transportation collaborated to develop a comprehensive,…

Under the 1973 Rehabilitation Act (Section 504) and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, school districts must transport students with disabilities to a site providing a free, appropriate education in the least restrictive environment. This article discusses federal and state laws governing student transportation, including wheelchair…

Entrepreneurship is helping balance the budget for the Gloucester, Massachusetts, schools. The school district has taken over management of an indoor ice hockey rink, is running concessions on two city beaches, and started its own school bus company. (MLF)

Provides an example of how one county public school system was able to minimize traffic accidents and increase safety around its schools. Illustrations are provided of safer bus loading zones, pedestrian walkways and sidewalks, staff parking, and acceptable methods for staging buses. A checklist for school driveway design concludes the article.…

Administrators looking for budget relief might look for cost savings in pupil transportation. The basic school bus that meets federal standards, with no optional equipment, is the safest vehicle on the road. The best investment in a transportation program is driver training. Route and schedule changes might lead to an increase in efficiency…

Information to aid the school-law specialist in handling transportation issues is provided in this handbook. Following an introduction, section 2 discusses the school's liability for transportation decisions, including school bus safety requirements, selection of transportation, the care owed to students, and school defenses in transportation…

One of a series designed to help Florida school districts provide special programs for exceptional children, the training packet is intended to be used in a 2-day training session for school bus drivers who transport handicapped students. The manual includes a brief introduction to five disability areas (physical impairments, visual impairments,…

The Management, Operations, Review, and Evaluation project staff prepared a report on the Division of Transportation of the Montgomery County Public Schools at Rockville, Maryland. The 25 chapter report is divided into four parts: (1) The Division's mission, organization, resources, and success; (2) pupil transportation; (3) automotive services;…

A concise reference guide for Kentucky school administrators and purchasing officials regarding desirable purchasing practices. The size of the school system will determine the manner in which the purchasing program should be implemented. Although methods may vary, the principles of good management are applicable to both large and small school…

This paper presents findings and recommendations resulting from a study of the equipment and systems currently used to transport wheelchair-confined students. Objective of the study was to assist the California Department of Education in preparing specifications for loading and securement facilities used in transporting wheelchair-confined…

The study examines the rates and types of school bus accidents according to the age of the school bus driver. Accident rates in North Carolina for the school year 1971-72 were analyzed using three sources of data: accident reports, driver and mileage data, and questionnaires administered to a sample of school bus drivers. Data were obtained on…

This talk covers the seven major concepts or general parameters of pupil transportation within which a school board must function: (1) definition of school bus transportation, (2) responsibilities of a school board, (3) type of school board, (4) purchasing school buses, (5) contracting school buses, (6) operations, and (7) national standards.…