606 - TRANSPORTATION FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDENTS
Transportation and bus behavior are normally an integral part of the student's program. Because of the significance of this service for maintaining effective programs for the variety of disabling conditions, the Transportation Supervisor should be consulted by the I.E.P. team to assist in providing answers to such questions as:
A.
Can the child be transported safely, given the transportation environment and the nature of the disabling condition?
B.
What medical, health, physical, or behavioral factors could expose the student to unreasonable risk, given the anticipated transportation environment?
C.
What assistive or adaptive equipment is necessary to accommodate the student during the transportation process, can it be safely transported and secured, and are there adequate instructions to ensure its proper use?
S/He can also be helpful in incorporating behavioral transportation goals into the IEP's and determining appropriate means of discipline, including the possible removal from a vehicle.
As participants in and recipients of special education planning, transportation staff need to be advised that the information they deal with is confidential and protected by Federal law.
Stopping Unacceptable Behavior
It is the District's intent to stop unacceptable behavior by using the minimum physical intervention necessary.
When necessary, a staff member may use reasonable physical intervention to stop an action that presents the risk of harm to the student, to others, or to property. This may include use of physical intervention to stop the action but would not extend to gross abuse and disregard for the health and safety of the student. Use of physical intervention should at all times be temperate and not excessive.
Alternate Transportation
In the event a student has demonstrated severe behavior problems at school and cannot be adequately brought under control for the ride home, the student is not to be placed on the bus. The student is to remain at school and the parents called to transport the student home. If the parent cannot provide transportation, alternate means are to be provided. (It is important to keep in mind that alterations in transportation may be considered a change in placement.)
Suspension from Transportation
The principal may suspend a student from transportation, in accordance with District policies and guidelines related to suspension of disabled students. Incidents that may result in suspension include:
A.fighting on the bus;
B.hitting, kicking, or biting others on the bus;
C.smoking, drugs, alcohol;
D.destruction of school property;
E.throwing dangerous objects on the bus.
SPECIAL EQUIPMENT USE AND OPERATION
There is a wide variety of equipment that may need to be used to accommodate the District's special education students. The Transportation Supervisor is responsible for ensuring that appropriate members of the transportation staff understand the design and operating procedures for special equipment assigned to their use. They should also be able to conduct a proper inspection of the equipment and make simple adjustments in the field in case of breakdowns.