In the same way, either you have your own fleet and drivers, or you contract out. “All districts with which I’m familiar take care of all student transportation.

“It’s easier to outsource the function for all students,” said Gregory. It subcontracts its specialized transportation needs to First Student. Franklin Gregory, superintendent for the nearby Tustin Unified School District, identified 350 special education students transported throughout the district. Schools often require outside assistance in delivering the essential accommodations. This also reduces the stigma associated with the ‘short bus.’” “This means that students with disabilities, where possible, should be served in the same manner as their non-disabled peers. “We try not to devote buses to any specific population of students because we serve students in the least restrictive environment,” said Meslin. Since there are no designated buses for specific passengers, Meslin reported that it’s not uncommon for students with disabilities to ride on the same bus as homeless students and other students in the general education program. Newport-Mesa transports roughly 525 students with disabilities on school buses driven by district drivers. That is, for many it is too late to develop the essential safety habits necessary to ride public transit by themselves.” “When we see these students in adult transition programs, they are not always successful in becoming transportation independent.

“So many of our young general education students and students with special needs have not been taught how to be safe in and around the school bus,” said Pete Meslin, transportation director for Newport-Mesa Unified in Southern California. While children throughout the nation would benefit from interactive tutoring on how to behave on the school bus, particular focus should be devoted to students with disabilities, as they are sometimes delayed in transitioning to full autonomy from a lack of comprehensive training in transporting themselves.

It’s obtained by establishing a steady groundwork of hands-on experience and careful instruction. Yet this individuality isn’t achieved through wishful thinking. For students with disabilities, transportation independence can mean freedom.

Precious cargo transportation