Transportation Laws for Special Needs Preschoolers

[momtofia]

Wondering if there are any federal laws that regulate the amount of time a special needs preschooler can be on a bus? Also, whether or not a district is required to reimburse parents for mileage, when appropriate tranportation isn't provided?

[khaoskat]

check you states laws.

[Kristine233]

I don't think there are laws related to time on the bus for specifically SN kids, but most states have general ones for all kids.

As far as required topay mileage, I think it would depend on the type of program and whether its optional or mandatory school attendance and then also specific state laws. Check wrightslaw.com there might be something there that can help you.

[KCMichigan]

I dont know if it there are any federal laws.

In our area, SN preschoolers can be on the bus for as long as 45-60 minutes to get to Preschool (snowy days may take even longer) for some rural students. SN students also are provided free transportation- they would not reimburse a parent for milage.

I only know of students that were transported by cab when it was a severe behavior issue (not distance or any other reason) for older kids (not PreSchool). The school paid for it.

Younger students that may be having difficulties riding the bus may or may not have a paraporo/aide to help with the ride.

The schools also try to make all accomodations possible for students to ride the bus. Our area has small adaptable buses for students that need it and then larger buses for students that can ride that bus.

Our preschoolers are only bused with other preschoolers.

I do know that IEP adaptations can be written if needed for shorter bus rides (if it is negatively effecting the student, it would not be written if it just thought to be too long), special seating, harness to wear, headphones, parapro etc .

I would ask for your areas Spec.Ed. booklet for parents or talk to the Spec.Ed department to work it out- they most likely would try to adapt the current situation to work better if possible or needed. If they determine that there is no need for any IEP adaptations or it is negatively effecting the student you may have to drive them if you feel it is needed but the schools dont (w/o reimbursement). You could also talk with an IEP mediator that could help resolve the conflict if the schools and yourself can not come to a solution that both sides are ok with.

[anj_rn]

No federal laws, no laws in Texas specific to special needs. That is probably due to the wide variety of special needs out there, as well as where a student is located. A rural area could have a long bus ride. I know that in Texas, your IEP can reflect transportation time & accompaniment, however the driver still has to have a route, you a parent can not just specify 1st on last off, they have to state on the route where the ride is less than x minutes during usual traffic & weather conditions. The IEP can also specify a stop closer to the child's home & require an adult to be there at the stop (although is the adult is not there our distric will honl the horn and wait 2 minutes, then continue on the route, returning your child to school at the end of the route.)

I also know that our district requires medical documentation as to why changes in the transportation routes are required. My neighbor has had problems getting them to let her older DD ride the special needs bus with her blind sister (but they eventually worked it out).

[cchrissyy]

This has come up in my local email list, IIRC the federal and CA state laws don't have a firm limit but there is some relevent (state) case law.

[kathteach]

g

[kathteach]

Sorry for the trash post I misunderstood the original question and my post was not helpful.........sorry!

[Lilypie32]

I used this publication to negotiate safe and appropriate bus transportation for my son when he was in a special needs prek program at a public school. It's very informative so please bookmark the link, print it out and highlight what you find important and call an IEP meeting, and pass the link on to others that may need it!

http://www.ped.state.nm.us/SEB/technical/transguide.pdf

Don't forget to check out your state's statutes and your county school district's website.

Every school district has a special needs administration (here is FL it's called ESE - exception student education) so contact them and get ahold of your special needs transportation supervisor. Don't deal with the bus company directly as they are clueless about special needs transportation.

[momtofia]

Thanks.

Thank you everyone for your insights. I really appreciate your helpful comments and suggestions. Thanks again!