Rules and Regulations
Who can ride a special education school bus? Can a special needs student ride a regular education bus?
Students who have disabilities or require specialized transportation, as determined by their IEP.
Yes! Just because a student has an IEP or has a disability, doesn't mean they require a SpEd bus.
True or False
As a bus aide, the use of a cellphone when engaging with students is prohibited
TRUE
Bus Aides need to be off their cell phones unless in an emergency.
What is the difference between an IEP, 504 Plan, and LRE?
-IEP: Students who qualify for special education services based on specific disability categories defined under IDEA
-504 Plan: Students with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.
-LRE: Students with disabilities should be educated with their non-disabled peers to the maximum extent appropriate.
What is the difference between HIPPA and FERPA?
HIPAA primarily protects the privacy of individually identifiable health information, while FERPA protects the privacy of student education records.
After setting the wheelchair brakes, how many points of contact are there when tying down a wheelchair? What are they?
There are 5!
There are 4 tie downs on the floor that have to be connected by a solid and welded piece of metal to the chair. There is the seatbelt/safety belt and has to go completely across the chest and has to be against the child, not the chair.
True or False
If a student is being unruly, you can "restrain" that student if its the safest option for the bus and it's route, even if its not on their transportation plan.
FALSE
You cannot restrain a student for any reason unless you have documentation previously, as stated in that student's IEP.
Who is ultimately responsible for everything and everyone on the bus?
The Bus Driver!
True or False
Drivers should limit calling dispatch to have parents meet the bus early if the bus is running early unless absolutely necessary.
TRUE
If your route is running early, you as a driver need to consider the time given to parents to receive their children. Do not radio dispatch unless your late or it is a safety concern and the students NEEDS to be dropped early.
What does FERPA stand for?
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act
Where is the safest place for aides to be while the bus is in motion?
Seated and interacting with students.
If an aide needs to get up and move seats for any reason, just notify the driver promptly.
What is the federal law that ensures children with disabilities have access to a free & appropriate public education?
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
What is the responsibility of the Bus Aide?
Managing specialized equipment, enforcing driver requests, adapting to changed behaviors, and ensuring student safety while the bus is in motion.
If a students pick-up time is 7:00am, how long is an appropriate amount of time to wait if the student does not come out? Do you need to radio to dispatch if a student is not riding?
2 minutes.
If for some reason you get to a students stop at 6:50am and their pick-up time is 7:00am. You have to wait until 7:00, if they are not outside or riding by 2 minutes after pick-up then you can proceed.
No, not unless absolutely necessary.
What did they call one of the very first type of School Bus?
"Hacks"
One kind of horse-drawn carriage was known as a “hack,” so when these farm wagons were used for school commutes, they became known as “kid hacks.” In 1892, an Indiana company built the first “school car,” which had sides but no roof. A horse pulled the primitive bus as kids sat on benches around the perimeter of the wagon. Children got on and off through a rear door so that they wouldn’t startle the horses. It was the precursor to the rear emergency exits we still use today.
How should wheelchairs be loaded on the lift? Where does the bus driver/aide stand when the lift goes up and down?
Wheelchairs need to be loaded facing out and away from the bus both loading and unloading.
Driver and Aide DO NOT ride on the lift. They need to either be on the bus receiving the student or on the ground next to the lift with one hand on the chair at all times.
What is FAPE? What does it do?
Free and Public Education.
It guarantees all children with disabilities, ensuring they receive specialized education and related services to meet their individual needs. This means the education is free to the parent or caregiver, appropriate for the child's needs, and publicly funded.
True or False
A driver can refuse service to a student.
FALSE
A driver cannot refuse service to a student unless it's designated by the school.
What year was the first school bus with a wheelchair lift introduced?
1957
This bus, designed to transport special-needs students in San Lorenzo, California, featured a built-in elevator and floor attachments for securing wheelchairs.
Whom can you discuss students' information and behaviors with?
You can only discuss student information & behaviors with office staff.
Its not appropriate to make student business "Shop Talk".
We are professionals, lets keep it respectful!
Where should your bus be parked during an 8-way stop vs a 4-way stop?
Making an 8-way stop needs to be made in the driving lane using your 8-way ambers/reds.
4-way stops are curbside using your 4-way flashers. You CANNOT use your 8-way lamp system on a curbside stop. If you're in the driving lane, your 8-ways need to be used.
What year was the stop-arm on the school bus introduced?
1939
The first stop-arm paddle was introduced to help protect students when boarding and exiting the bus.
How can a driver/aide involve a parent in students transportation to have successful rides?
Communication
Trust and Collaboration
Utilizing Available Resources
What is an example of a disability?
Examples include physical disabilities like vision or hearing impairments, or mobility issues.
Mental disabilities can include learning disabilities, autism, or mental health conditions.
Other conditions can be cancer, diabetes, or epilepsy.
Who is bound by FERPA laws?
This includes public and private elementary, secondary, and post-secondary schools. It essentially means that schools, school districts, and colleges that receive federal money must comply with FERPA's regulations regarding student education records. Any violation can result in losing federal funding.
What is the purpose of the fire blanket on board of a special education bus?
The fire blanket on a special education bus serves as a tool to extinguish small fires and to help in the safe removal of passengers from a bus during emergencies.