Reasons for Special Needs Transportation

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Special Needs Transportation
Joe Lightsey Pupil Transportation Alabama
Department of Education
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Alabama Transportation Statistics

• 357,723 Students Daily

• 8,390 School Buses

• 58,242,412 Miles Annually

• 231,532,213 Million Annually

• 332,168 Daily Miles

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Special Needs Statistics Number of SE
Routes 951 Special Education Drivers 752 PV
Routes 408 TW Routes 62 Number of
Aides 650
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Rules, Regulations, Guidelines

• Federal Laws and Regulations

• National Specifications and Procedures

• Pupil Transportation Guidelines

• Alabama Law

• State Board of Education Rules

• Local Board Polices

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Transportation Funding
State Law requires payment of 80 of SE Cost. We
pay 100. Personnel Covered Buses Covered as part
of Fleet Renewal
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Bus Routes
Special Education Bus Routes SN, PV, TW Time on
Route 360 Minutes of Instruction Loading and
Unloading Accessibility
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Communication Chain
Transportation Supervisor Special Education
Supervisor Drivers Teachers
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Communication for Best Service
It should be assumed that most children with
disabilities receive the same transportation
services as nondisabled children. (LRE) unless
special transportation is required by the
IEP. ...includes - travel to and from school
- between school buildings - modified
vehicles - additional personnel (bus aide) -
purchased services (contracts) -
extracurricular activities -
preschool-aged children
Letter Office of Special Education Programs
(See SDE website under Pupil Transportation)
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SDE Special Needs Recertification Classes
Topics Target Special Needs Transportation Issues
Cathy Staggs Instructor

• Laws and Regulations
• 14th Amendment, IDEA, 504, ADA, AL Code
• Loading/Unloading the Special Needs Bus
• Transporting Preschoolers
• Areas of Disability/Behavior Management Issues
• Confidentiality
• The IEP, FAPE, LRE
• Driver Training

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Transporting Preschoolers

• NHTSA Guidelines SDE Website
• Proper use and placement of CSRS
• Preschool Special Education

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Common Complaints to SDE

• Overly long bus rides
• Loss of instruction due to length of bus ride
  (shortened school day)
• Denial of transportation to extracurricular
  activities
• Air Conditioning Buses

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Alabama Facts

• Only 4/10 of one percent of accidents involve
  school buses
• Only 1/10 of one percent of total injuries in
  school buses
• Only one child killed in a school bus collision
  since 1969
• Only one school bus driver killed in last 50
  years
• Major inspection deficiencies on school buses
  have
• decreased by 9 in the past six years.
• Almost all Alabama buses are diesels with
  automatic transmissions.

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Special Needs Transportation Questions Cathy
Staggs or Joe Lightsey Alabama State Department
of Education 334-242-9730 joel_at_alsde.edu
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(No Transcript)
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Have a great school year!