School Bus Rides During a Pandemic: Considerations for States and Districts
July 8, 2020
Transportation has become a significant thorn in the sides of districts working to craft back-to-school plans for the fall, as officials struggle to identify workable solutions for social distancing, sanitation, and scheduling of fleets of busses. In order to meet guidelines released by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, district officials are preparing to encourage walking, carpooling, and creative scheduling. Additionally, district officials are considering plans to only offer busses to students who have IEP’s that require transportation or for students experiencing homelessness, as outlined by the Every Student Succeeds Act and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Despite initial plans, many local education officials are voicing that transportation decisions will be made “on the fly,” as local realities shift throughout the school year.