Researchers and other persons interested in promoting research about rural school busing met in Columbus, Ohio, in December 1998. Drawing on that meeting and the rural school literature, this report describes why school transportation is an important issue nationwide, explains the lack of research on rural school busing, proposes a research…

Reviews the activity of the Supreme Court and of a number of lower federal courts encouraged by the attitude expressed by the Supreme Court in the 1971 Swann v. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education case; and the various forms of opposition to busing. (JM)

Six common barriers to the establishment of a community based educational model for moderately and severely handicapped students are identified, and solutions are recommended. The barriers are (1) limited staff, (2) transportation, (3) scheduling, (4) cost, (5) negative reaction to curriculum emphasis change, and (6) applicability to multiply…

Describes the pros and cons involved in elevating bus drivers to professional status. Under current federal regulations, bus drivers must have a commercial driver's license (CDL). The CDL test, however, does not require certain abilities pertaining to student transportation, particularly student-management skills. Describes strategies for…

Explores the influences state departments of education have on the cost and quality of pupil transportation. Evaluates the following state funding methodologies: (1) actual costs incurred; (2) a flat rate per unit; or (3) a multivariate calculation in providing service efficiently and equitably between districts. (MLF)

Most school systems can cut the costs of many of their programs and operations and thereby save an imperiled program or uncover funding for new or expanded programs. Presents examples of creative cost-cutting in plant operations and maintenance, administration, employee benefits, transportation, and teacher employment. (MLF)

Provides information for student transportation system budgetary decisions that can reduce costs and yet maintain an adequate transportation system. Suggestions include establishing staggered school opening and closing times, extending walking distances, and eliminating or charging for extracurricular activities. (MLF)

For-profit charter-school managers may be removing the "public" from public education. A study of 11 Michigan charter schools showed that cost-cutting strategies are adversely affecting student transportation, special education, and the socioeconomic mix of students. Corporations' superimposed bureaucracies have eradicated educators'…

This report examines the financial ability of West Virginia's 55 county school boards to balance their budgets for fiscal years 1990-95. Data were gathered from annual financial statements of the county boards, annual state budgets, various state reports on education, and a survey of districts that did not incur any deficits. An overview of West…

As of September, 1987, school enrollment in the Canadian province of Manitoba was 209,352, an increase of 395 pupils over the previous year. Public school enrollment was 199,390, up 353 from the previous year. This was the second consecutive increase in school enrollment following a steady decline from 1971 to 1985. The largest increase per grade…

This report presents both a methodology for educational cost index computation and empirical evidence for determining the extent to which Missouri school district expenditures are beyond the control of local decision-makers. The author demonstrates considerable stability in the teachers' salary index from 1974-75 to 1975-76. The report extends…

Presented is the final technical report on the evaluation of the 1988-89 supplementary education programs of the Austin (Texas) Independent School District funded under Chapter 2 of the Education Consolidation and Improvement Act. The following major findings are reported: (1) extracurricular transportation costs, which had been reduced by…

This instructor's manual was designed to help graduates of the California Bus Driver Instructor Course provide effective instruction to school bus driver trainees. It contains enough material for 20-30 hours of classroom training. The information is organized in 12 instructional units that cover the following topics: introduction to the course;…

An advisory committee, in response to a 1985 resolution by the Virginia General Assembly, presents this analysis and makes recommendations concerning state school bus safety. The report is divided into eight topics; six appendices comprise three-fourths of the study. "Origin of the Study" states requests to be investigated by the…

Researchers construct a cost of education index and, using Missouri data, estimate differences across school districts in the cost of teachers, administrators, and transportation services. Components of the conceptual framework for the index include salaries, variables within a district's control (such as personnel characteristics or the number of…