About School Bus Driver Training Programs
Every school day in the U.S., over 23 million students are transported aboard 450,000 school buses according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Student safety aboard school buses is a priority for governments, schools, parents and the community at large School bus driver training helps ensure drivers have the skills and knowledge needed to address any situation that may arise in the course of transporting America's precious cargo.
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Training Policies
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Bus driver training guidelines and policies are developed at the state level. These policies dictate bus driver eligibility requirements, such as driving record and level of education. In California, applicants must pass an extensive background check; have a current Department of Medical Certificate (DL-51); pass the written CHP First Aid test; attend regular safety meetings; have a clean driving record; and take and pass the mandatory bus driver training courses. California school bus drivers must take a minimum of 40 hours of instruction, including approximately 26 hours of behind the wheel training. Drivers must take renewal training courses on a yearly basis.
Oversight
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Training curriculum for bus drivers are devised and administered by government appointed entities. For example, in Illinois, this duty falls on the Student Transportation Program within the Illinois State Board of Education. The Student Transportation Program develops training materials; provides training and certifications; ensures compliance with state and federal student transportation laws; works with private and public agencies to develop best practices; and identify possible route hazards .In California, training policies are developed by the California Department of Education School Transportation Division with input form other state agencies.
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Federal Programs
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NHTSA offers the School Bus Driver In-Service Safety Series for administrators and supervisors of pupil transportation services. NHTSA developed the program with input from the Federal Highway Administration, the Federal Railroad Administration, the National Association for Pupil Transportation, the National School Transportation Association, the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services and Operation Lifesaver. Representatives from Virginia, Wyoming and Nebraska also provided input. School districts in Florida, Virginia, Nebraska and Arizona served as test pilot sites for the program.
Private Programs
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National School Safety and Security Services offers bus training programs for school districts. The organization provides training on operational bus safety and student bus safety. The Company utilizes the expanded training module recommended by the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services (NASDPTS).
Curriculum
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The training curriculum differs slightly according to the training organization. According to National School Safety and Security Services, NASDPTS advocates the inclusion of new topics in bus driver training programs. These topics include personal safety; crimes; hijackings; parental custody; and possession of weapons or dangerous materials.
The training program offered by NHTSA includes training modules in driver attitude; vehicle training; student management; highway-rail grade crossing safety; loading and unloading procedures; adverse conditions; transporting students and route training. Training modules offered by the National School Safety and Security Institute include school bus violence; security awareness and procedures; terrorism, emergency preparedness; bus supervision and intervention techniques.
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References
- Illinois State Board of Education: Student Transportation Program
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: School Bus Driver In-Service Safety Series
- National School Safety and Security Services: School Bus Driver & Transport
- Sweetwater Union High School District: California Certified School Bus Drivers
- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: Seat Belts on School Buses - May 2006
Resources
- Photo Credit school bus arriving image by Jacque Stengel from Fotolia.com
