Transport Students
Although transportation can be costly, it is critical to implement a system that parents perceive as simple and safe for their students. A district's transportation system can also help ensure fair and equal access to schools of choice that support the overall vision of the program.
Program Practices
| Each practice below comes from an individual school choice program. |
Assist Families with Transportation to Facilitate Attendance
Through their five-year Voluntary Public School Choice (VPSC) grant, Foxborough Regional Charter School now funds morning and afternoon busing for any family that applies.
Build a Transportation Web Portal
Houston Independent School District has created a Transportation Portal that constantly updates bus stop locations.
Communicate Transportation Information to Parents
Desert Sands Unified School District works hard to make sure that communication about transportation options is being received and understood by all of the parents accessing transportation in the district.
Compile a Frequently Asked Transportation Questions Flyer
Montclair Public Schools has taken a proactive approach by providing a list of frequently asked transportation questions along with answers from the board of education.
Define Transportation Zones
Several districts, such as Miami-Dade County Public Schools, have established transportation zones to create shorter bus routes and provide choices within the zones.
Establish an Effective Transportation Plan
Student transportation became a priority issue when Hillsborough County Public Schools implemented its choice program in 2003–04.
Offer Free Transportation to Promote Interdistrict Magnet Program Enrollment
New Haven Public Schools hired a transportation company to facilitate the busing and communicate with parents using a variety of means including busing notification postcards, which alerted parents as to where and when their child will be picked up.
Provide Transportation Assistance to Students in Need
To assist students from low-income families who had transferred from a non-AYP school and were struggling with transportation, Portland Public Schools used Voluntary Public School Choice grant monies to launch an Emergency Transportation program.
Provide Transportation to All Magnet Schools Anywhere in the District
With the implementation of the magnet school program, Hot Springs School District chose to provide transportation to and from school for all students, regardless of their residence.
Use the Web to Coordinate Busing
To provide transportation to any magnet school student in the 850-square-mile district, Duval County Public Schools created a coordinated transportation system in which paired schools share bus routes and certain schools serve as hubs where students can be dropped off and catch a bus to their final destination.
Sample Materials
| All sample materials under the topic of "Transport Students": |
Map of the School Zones
Duval County Public Schools created a website to help parents find the bus stop closest to their homes.
Transportation Link on District Choice Website
Hillsborough County Public Schools provides very specific transportation information for parents on their choice website.
Enrollment Form
Hot Springs School District’s parents complete this student enrollment form and submit it to their preferred magnet school.
Climb Aboard! Magnet Transportation and You Brochure
Duval County Public Schools distributes this tri-fold brochure to parents interested in transportation for DCPS magnet school programs. The brochure instructs parents about how to find a bus stop, includes contact information for transportation coordinators, and offers basic bus safety rules.
Miami-Dade County Public Schools Transportation Website
Miami-Dade County Public Schools provides complete transportation information for students and parents through this website.
Frequently Asked Transportation Questions
Montclair Public Schools created a one-page document which addresses parents' frequently asked questions about transportation for students.
Transportation Web Portal
Houston Independent School District has created a website to allow all school administrators and teachers to access bus route information that is updated weekly.
Magnet Bus Stop Application
Duval County Public Schools provides this form for parents to request transportation for their children.
Transportation Letter
To share details about available transportation options, Desert Sands Unified School District sends a letter explaining busing to parents just before the school year begins.
Transportation Request Form
Desert Sands Unified School District sends this transportation request form along with the transportation letter that notifies parents busing is available for their child.
Busing Notification Postcard
This New Haven Public Schools notification card provides parents with detailed information on the transportation program for magnet students. It includes contact information and general student behavior guidelines.
Transportation Student Badge
Students attending a Hillsborough County Public Schools choice school receive a transportation badge, which allows the district to identify and accurately transport the student to and from school. This is a sample badge.
Back to School Letter Including Transportation Information
Hillsborough County Public Schools parents receive this letter prior to the start of school informing them of transportation services for their student. The letter incorporates an application for transportation that must be returned by a specified date.
Emergency Transportation Guide
This step-by-step Emergency Transportation Guide was sent to provide information to schools and non-profit partners' staff by Portland Public Schools central office.
Transportation Registration Contract
Parents requesting transportation to or from Foxborough Regional Charter School were required to fill out this transportation registration contract.
Emergency Transportation Memo
Portland Public Schools central office sent this information to schools and non-profit partners’ staff to help them publicize the Emergency Transportation program.
Project Management Specialist of Outreach and Development Support Job Description
Foxborough Regional Charter School has hired a transportation coordinator to develop and oversee the new transportation plan under way.
Transportation Request Form
Parents can request transportation for their child through this form found on Hillsborough County Public Schools website’s transportation page.
Media
| All media under the topic of "Transport Students": |
Three Things to Consider
- Parents have a lot of fear around busing their children, so the more organized communications you send out the more at ease they will feel
- Make sure to communicate transportation information in all needed languages and, if possible, personally contact your hard-to-reach parents
- There are many ways to minimize transportation costs including creating zones, staggering bus schedules, and creating hub schools
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–Randall Greenway from Arkansas Virtual School
