Last week we mentioned the tragic accident that took place Feb. 15 in Chesterfield, N.J., involving a school bus and a dump truck, and resulted in the death of an 11-year-old girl. The National Transportation Safety Board held a press conference in that same town to release new details about the accident, which revealed some interesting information regarding the school bus driver and the driver of the dump truck.
During the meeting, agency officials confirmed that the 66-year-old school bus driver involved in the crash had received his commercial license three weeks before the accident. Additionally, the driver had only driven his particular route for nine days before the incident. Regarding the dump truck driver, though he has been in good standing since February 2004, the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission revealed the 38-year-old man had his license suspended for reckless driving in 2003. In 1997 he was ticketed for speeding in Virginia, investigators said.
This is only the beginning with the NTSB investigation, with a resolution not expected for at least another year. We learned that the brake system on the dump truck is still being looked at.
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In schools across the country, we’re beginning to see how technology is changing the way teachers are educating students in the classroom and how students are learning in general. We’re even seeing technology seep into some school buses with wireless Internet. Well, a newly released report that looks into the classrooms of the near future shows how quickly emerging technologies are affecting the world and in our own daily lives.
Published since 2002, the Horizon Report highlights emerging technology that impacts teaching, research, learning and creative inquiry. The 2012 report was released in January, and a K12 version is slated for release in the spring. The report is meant for educators, parents, board members and students to understand that change is around the corner and how they can begin implementation.
Among the key findings, some key trends in the report include: blended learning via online programs; classroom learning is becoming more active and challenged-based; and working and learning are anytime, anywhere activities. Finally, the report also states that in one year or less, mobile apps and tablet computing are the first emerging technologies that will infiltrate schools across the country.
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The subject of bullying on school buses recently popped up again in the Jacksonville, Fla. area after a 13-year-old was beaten, allegedly by a 15-year-old student as shown in surveillance video. A local news station reports that claims by First Student and Student Transportation of America that drivers can’t intervene in school bus fights don’t stand the test of state or local laws, both of the latter saying there are no laws that prohibit bus drivers from getting involved.
We’ve previously been told by school bus contractors that, generally, company regulations prohibit drivers from physically intervening for numerous liability reasons, including the drivers being incapacitated themselves with a busload of other students in their charge. Just imagine what could happen if a driver is rendered unconscious. Where are the keys? The ignition? What becomes of the kids on board, the bus?
The issue is certainly not cut and dry and is yet another example of the need for states, local districts and bus companies to increase their communication.
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The upcoming presidential election might have a lot to do with the long-term health of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, but a California business organization launched last week a 2,400-page website that provides “easy to understand” background information on the law.
The site includes a “tax credit calculator” to help employers estimate savings available under the law. There are also videos and interactive surveys and.
The project funded by The California Endowment and was created by a partnership of more than a half dozen groups including the Bay Area Council, the California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce, Small Business California and The Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce.
