School districts must begin developing training for bus drivers and attendants to make routes to and from school both safer and more effective for students with special needs.
The training program addresses appropriate behavior management depending on a student’s disability including understanding of those behaviors, effective communication with the student, use and operation of adaptive equipment such as wheelchairs, occupant restraint systems, car seats and air conditioning.
Gov. Chris Christie signed the legislation on Nov. 9. It requires that school boards and private school bus companies ensure drivers or monitors file a certification with the employer that proves completion of the training program that is to be developed by the New Jersey Department of Education. It also calls on the DOE to develop of student information cards that would be completed by parents or guardians during the IEP process, with school bus drivers and attendants having easy access to the information.
School boards and private contractors must administer the training to current employees within six months of the date the state curriculum is completed state, and employees must prove they have certification within five days of completing the training. The employer is required to retain a copy of the certification for the duration of the individual’s employment. Employees hired after the availability of the new program must receive certification before they operate a school bus or serve as a monitor.
