During the 1995-96 school year, Arizona charter schools served over 7,117 students and received over $30 million in funding. An estimated 17,000 students will be served next year. The funding formula is similar to the basic state formula for K-12 education, with similar counting methods and revenue availability. However, charter schools have more…

Examines the legislative context of the new McKinney-Vento provisions, looking at the characteristics of homelessness and the resultant educational barriers that these provisions are attempting to address, and describing how two Texas school districts have responded to the challenges of providing transportation to ensure that students in homeless…

Personal experience of her first-year experience as superintendent of the Southeast Warren Community School District, a small rural district in Liberty Center, Iowa. (PKP)

A driver performance test revealed that school bus drivers were not adjusting the bus crossover mirrors so that all the pedestrian areas could be seen. In addition, the mirror adjustment was restricted by bracket supports. Describes mirrors that meet state vision standards and how they should be utilized. (MLF)

To obtain information about costs, University of Maryland researchers interviewed special education directors, principals, and other administrators in 14 schools or districts committed to including all students with disabilities. Respondents identified five affected areas: teachers and instructional assistants, transportation, facilities,…

Describes a Missouri school district's recruiting, training, and retention strategies for school bus drivers. Includes an employer reference checklist and an applicant review form. (MLF)

Increasing numbers of school systems are reducing their transportation services. Citing the recession, reduction in state aid, and defeat of tax levies as the cause, the school transportation issue is seen by some as evidence of inequality. (MLF)

A Connecticut school district initiated a bus monitor program on the elementary bus runs. Monitors are paid $8.50 per run, are subject to the same medical examinations as are drivers, and are given preemployment drug tests. Children show respect toward the monitors. The district has concluded that monitors do help in making bus stops safer for all…

An Iowa school board established a policy that included a complete ban on nonmandated school busing with the option that parents could purchase busing for their children at the full district average cost. The program has provided necessary additional revenues to prevent budget cuts in educational programs. Provides information about the…

As in Edina, Minnesota, many schools are finding adolescent sleep research persuasive enough to consider later or multiple starting times, risking parents' and teachers' wrath. Time adjustments become entangled with issues such as bus transportation, interscholastic athletics, student jobs, child-care arrangements, and juvenile crime. Tips are…

Discusses problems school transportation administrators face in managing the transportation of special needs students. These include finding part-time, low paid drivers and attendants, managing equipment not approved for buses, training drivers to handle medically fragile and emotionally disabled children, and dealing with federal and state…

Bus disaster drills have been held all over country for years. A drill in Blairsville, Pennsylvania, taught officials important lessons: (1) keep roster of students and stops in designated area on bus, and ensure emergency workers know where location; (2) send at least three school officials to accident scene; (3) provide school officials with…

The majority of school districts have installed video cameras on buses. Videotaping school-bus riders provides a tangible picture, complete with sound. Along with the cameras, districts should have a disciplinary process in place. (MLF)

Assistant Superintendent Steve Kramer explains that the primary objective of privatization in Madeira (Ohio) schools was to create more time for administrators to spend on educational issues. Transportation, food service, and custodial services are run by private companies. (MLF)

Examines the legal, administrative, and logistical barriers that have prevented the wide acceptance of coordinating community and school transportation services and why these barriers may be breaking down. Two examples of successful implementation of coordinated transportation are examined: employing a single system to serve all transportation…