It is that magic time called "Back to School." For most of my clients it is not so magic, more like nerve racking. Transportation seems to be the first issue that rears its ugly head:
- Review the route with the necessary school personnel. It seems like every year the route changes and often to make things longer for the child and more cost effective for the school. Most states have regulations or guidelines for special education transportation. As a general rule transportation of an hour or more each way is likely not appropriate.
- A vital point to remember is that transportation is part of the
entitlement to FAPE. In other words it needs to be appropriate to meet
your child’s needs. - Every year the bus company plays a little game with us "remove the seat belt and harness belt." This year we are on round three of the game. There is a shoulder belt in a position that is too high and not safe, and no lap belt.
- Some school district’s employ the catchall excuse "it is the bus company; we can’t do anything." Just because they contract and delegate responsibilities to the bus company does not change their FAPE duties under IDEIA. The buck and the bus stops at the school and they have ultimate responsibility for the safety and appropriateness of the transportation.
- Beware of clock creep ! No it is not a bad ‘B’ horror movie, I am referring to the tendency of buses to bring children home either later and later each day which raises concerns as to where they have been, or earlier and earlier indicating that the school day is being cut short eliminating instructional time.
- If your child has medical/behavioral issues that effect the ability of him or her to be transported do not be shy about asking for a bus aide. I recently had a doctor tell me that if I asked for a bus aide they would simply deny me transportation all together; wrong answer, but not an uncommon perception.