I. You may want to distribute the agenda as participants enter the training area. If your participants don't know each other or if they don't know the instructor, you may want to do introductions.
I.G.3. Ask the group the question. For your benefit, the desired response or correct answer is provided in italics. This format will be used throughout the module. List areas that you have to handle differently. Examples might be discipline, loading and unloading, emergencies, bad weather, communicating with caregivers.
I.J. Distribute Handout #1, The School Bus Driver/Attendant of the Student with Special Needs.
I.J. The IDEA can be found at 34 CFR (Code of Federal Regulations) 300 and at website: www. access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/
I.J. “Free and appropriate public education” is also known as FAPE.
I.L.1.b. Guidelines for when a school district should have transportation personnel in attendance at IEP meetings are included in Transporting Students with Disabilities developed by the Special Needs Committee of the National Association for Pupil Transportation(NAPT). To obtain Transporting Students with Disabilities call NAPT at 1-800-989-NAPT.
I.L.1.b.3.iii Depending on the policy and procedures in your school district, there may be a discussion here of whether or not transportation is or should be included in IEP meetings. If transportation is not represented, there may be frustration over the lack of communication and its effects.
I.L.2. Distribute copies of the IEP form used in your state. Point out what subjects are discussed at the IEP meeting, including “Related Services” such as transportation.
I.L.2.c. Refer participants to the section of the handout that is an excerpt of the 1995 National Standards for School Transportation. Tell participants that you won't cover the section in depth but information is there for participants to refer to when and if they need it.
I.L.3. Tell participants who they would talk to at the school to find out about a student's IEP.
I.L.4. For detailed questions, refer to the appropriate person at the school or school district.
I.M.3.a.3 Non-latex gloves are very important on school buses carrying students with allergies to latex. A high percentage of children with spina bifida have a potentially life-threatening allergy to latex. School bus drivers should use the non-latex gloves for any student for whom an allergy may be a problem.
I.M.7. Emphasize that “asking” is not a reflection of a school bus driver's incompetence. Rather it is an indication that the school driver wants to do the best that he/she can.