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Enhancing Special Education Transportation: A New Approach for Student Independence

Discover a groundbreaking model for special education transportation presented at the 34th Annual Idaho Association for Pupil Transportation Conference. Learn about overcoming obstacles, independence skills, and implications for educators and students. Explore the shift towards independence in special education transportation.

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Enhancing Special Education Transportation: A New Approach for Student Independence

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  1. Serving Students in the Least Restrictive Environment Pete Meslin Director of Transportation Newport-Mesa Unified School District A New Model for Special Education Transportation Prepared for the: 34th Annual Idaho Association for Pupil Transportation Summer Conference

  2. A Related Service • 2004 Revisions to IDEA • What does LRE mean? • What do other related services do? • Why aren’t there expectations and goals about progress in transportation?

  3. Independence • About 70% of the avg. school district’s special education population is appropriately served at a bus stop other than curbside. • About 10% actually are. • Small Bus • Curbside service w/o “must be met.” • Costs estimated up to 10x more to transport these students.

  4. Obstacles • For Special Education Administrators • For Special Education Teachers • For Transportation Departments

  5. Current Means to Overcome Obstacles • Constant Work on the Partnership • Training & Re-training • Nagging errrrr Reporting frequently • Attending IEPs • Check with the “experts” • Finding “Champions” • Getting mandates

  6. The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta’ put up with the rain. Dolly Parton

  7. It’s About Skills and Expectations • Life skills learned at 19 aren’t internalized as well as skills learned and practiced at an earlier age. • “Education is a shared commitment between dedicated teachers, motivated students and enthusiastic parents with high expectations. “Bob Beauprez

  8. Independence Matrix

  9. Skills Ladder Overview

  10. Transferable Skills • Mobility skills are life skills. • Social skills, like presenting passes or greeting drivers, can transfer to the transportation setting. • Some skills, like reading a transportation schedule, may not transfer as easily

  11. Transportation No Longer a Related Service If the student can access the educational program in the same manner as his/her typical peers. • Program is located in the regular area of attendance. • Student’s disabilities no longer are a factor preventing access.

  12. A New Paradigm • Teachers have educational tools, guidelines, & accountability • The IEP team has assessment tools • Students have expectations • Transportation offers support at all levels of service • Students progress towards independence

  13. Independence Lesson Plans • Practice with the educational staff. • Practice with the driver in the classroom. • Practice with the driver, attendant, and bus at the classroom. • Practice with the driver and bus at the stop.

  14. Implications • Transporters as Educators • Turns problem behaviors into areas for teaching skills (Pos. Behavior Support) / BSPs • More Interaction supporting students • Shouldn’t other services be teaching skills and striving for independence? • Significant Cost Savings.

  15. Light Tomorrow with Today Elizabeth Barrett Browning

  16. More Work for Transportation? • Bring a bus to the class • Help create / teach a lesson • Logistics of transitional stops • Seating plans for shared buses • Know a lot more about our kids • Do a lot more FOR our kids!!!

  17. I’m not telling you it’s going to be easy,I’m telling you it’s going to be worth it. Anonymous

  18. What Independence Really Means 15 year old student transitioning to public transit Now I finally feel like a person.

  19. Contact Me pmeslin@nmusd.us (714) 424-5080

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