The key position in any student transportation system is that of school bus driver. The driver's responsibilities are such that a specific program of school bus driver education becomes a necessity. A review of the literature reveals that no studies pertaining to school bus driver education have been made. This thesis documents the history and…

Findings from a second annual transportation survey mailed to 6,000 school officials, with a 15 percent response rate, reveal that transportation costs, difficulty in hiring and keeping qualified bus drivers, and the condition of buses topped the list of concerns. (MLF)

Lectures and workbooks cannot instill curiosity and continuous interest or the disposition to respond to experiences in certain ways. This article examines sabateurs of the learning disposition (such as reinforcing learned stupidity and using rewards that suppress interest) and suggests curriculum strategies to engage young minds, such as using…

Reviews conflicting federal and state developments (including liability lawsuits) involving seat belt installation on school buses. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board differ on this issue, and several states are considering seat belt legislation or crashworthiness studies. Hints are…

Discusses conditions preventing school bus drivers from maintaining discipline and safety and proposes administrative remedies. Gives examples of overlooked hazards in both riders' and drivers' behaviors. (MCG)

Article discussed the peculiar problem of busing in the United States and its possible meaning for future historians. (RK)

Approaches to maintaining order and discipline in school transportation include revoking or suspending a student's bus-riding privileges, using radios and video cameras, and using bus monitors. School leaders must demonstrate support for their school-bus drivers. A sidebar lists 17 suggested rules for student behavior to ensure safe…

Some cash-strapped school districts are selling advertising space on their buses. Colorado Springs District 11 pioneered the 1st school-bus ad program more than 2 years ago, raising approximately $80,000 to date. However, the 12th National Conference on School Transportation argues that ads might distract motorists and cause accidents. (MLF)

Two bus accidents taught a school district the value of a self-developed plan of response to a school bus accident. Provides a sample school bus accident preparedness plan. (MLF)

Explains how software transportation programs help school districts track school-bus routes, fleet status, and other information and how to move a district to such a system. Advice is provided on the criteria for selecting software vendors, matching data and information of new software with systems and procedures already in place, training users,…

Across the U.S., more than 24 million students begin and end their school days on buses. In most cases, the driver is the only adult on board. To transport students safely, the driver must watch the road, not the riders, during most of the trip. Although bus drivers have mirrors and usually see fights, they can easily miss pushing, shoving, and…

Four units are provided for formal classroom instruction in advanced competencies for school bus drivers in Illinois. Units cover passenger control, accidents and emergencies, detecting hazards, and first aid. Each unit contains some or all of the following components: table of contents; a list of objectives; informative material, including an…

Suggestions for principals to decrease school bus vandalism are presented. Guidelines are offered for the improvement of bus conditions, reorganization of the transportation system, establishment of a bus driver training program, and student involvement in an antivandalism campaign. Cooperation and regular meetings between students, parents,…

This chapter of "Principles of School Business Management" focuses on financing and managing transportation services for average and exceptional students. The chapter opens with a brief overview of the history of the development of transportation services and public responsibility for their provision. Current state funding models used to…

The goal of this study was to describe student transportation programs in Georgia and to identify common areas of concern and common characteristics of these programs. The report summarizes the literature regarding transportation issues and the accumulated knowledge of experienced transportation managers. The study team met with the…