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“Providing the computer and the Internet, that's our transportation cost. And so we transport the school to the kids instead of the kids to the school.”

Randall Greenway from Arkansas Virtual School –Randall Greenway from Arkansas Virtual School
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Transport Students

Contents


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.

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
Transportation of choice students became a priority issue when Hillsborough County Public Schools implemented its choice program in 2003–2004.

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.

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":

List of Bus Coordinators for Each School
Duval County Public Schools publishes the name and contact information for each school's bus coordinator.

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.

Miami-Dade County Public Schools Transportation Website

PDF Frequently Asked Transportation Questions
Montclair Public Schools created a one-page document which addresses parents' frequently asked questions about transportation for students.

PDF 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.

Word 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.

Word 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.

PDF 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.

PDF 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.

Image 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.

PDF 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.

Media

All media under the topic of "Transport Students":

Three Things to Consider

Consider the following:
  • 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