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New Bus Driver Training

Unit 4.2

Student Management

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STUDENT MANAGEMENT

Student behavior and drivers inability to resolve them is number one cause of drivers resignation
Drivers can expect children to be children
Certain limits must be set

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STUDENT MANAGEMENT

Safety of children and driver is paramount
Failure to maintain reasonable discipline may cause frustration
Misbehavior can cause distractions while driving

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STUDENT MANAGEMENT

Personal standards should not dictate judgment
Control students and avoid conflicts

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STUDENT MANAGEMENT

Oklahoma has ZERO tolerance for sexual harassment involving students or drivers
Emotional or physical attraction to any students is UNLAWFUL

The Oklahoma has ZERO tolerance for any prejudicial behavior or comments by students or drivers. Drivers must stop any suspected student behavior through counseling or seek assistance from the Director. At a minimum all such activity should be reported on appropriate documents and turned in. You must decide where the line is for each particular action or comment. In all cases you should always start with a verbal warning to cease the behavior and note it in your records. If it is happening repeatedly you should do a formal write up and ask for further guidance.

The Oklahoma has a ZERO Tolerance Policy concerning sexual harassment involving students or drivers. This should be handled again by always verbally saying stop or that behavior isn’t allowed. Document the incident and always report repeat offenders.

It is unlawful for any driver to date or demonstrate emotional or physical attraction for any student even if the student has turned 18. Suspected student violations or student complaints should be documented and turned in.

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STUDENT MANAGEMENT

Communicate your expectations to students
Use formal seating assignments
Enforce orders given

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STUDENT MANAGEMENT

Give command to simulate action
Have a reason for what you asked a child to do
Be fair

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STUDENT MANAGEMENT

Give praise as quickly as criticism
Never strike a child
Don’t judge conduct based on annoyance

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STUDENT MANAGEMENT

Don’t let personal feelings come into play
Don’t “nitpick”
Listen to complaints from students

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STUDENT MANAGEMENT

Listen to suggestions from students
Be sincere in your interaction and approach with the students
Set a good example

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STUDENT MANAGEMENT

Never hold a student up to ridicule
Familiarize yourself with the School Bus Discipline Action Plan
Be consistent

Never hold a child up to ridicule them. There is a difference between joking and having fun with students and ridiculing them. Often older students will want to discuss or chat about more adult topics. It is okay to engage your students in a verbal debate, especially if you are stopped but remember always stay focused on safety, driving and the rules or the bus.

Familiarize yourself with the School Bus Discipline Action Plan and be consistent in your use of it. Each District will have their own method to handle discipline. For example, in one District discipline is handled as follows:

1. Verbal correction

2. Move student seats

3. Speak with parents

4. Half-Sheet write up. (A pre-printed write up given to the students which shows what action they did wrong. Parents must sign the form and return it.)

5. Formal write-up turned into your appropriate transportation/school official.

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STUDENT MANAGEMENT

Keep the bus regulations for students as your reference point
Get ideas from your peers
Contact your director/supervisor with any questions regarding discipline

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Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

Guarantees students w/disabilities free and appropriate education
Ensures students are appropriately evaluated
Transportation provides child safety restraints and supervision during transport
Parents and Teachers involved in decision of how to best serve student
Special education needs described in IEP

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The IEP – Individual Education Program

The IEP is a legally binding document that outlines the services to be delivered to a student with disabilities. It’s a written record of the decisions agreed upon by the IEP team.

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Insert Trainer Info Here

Oklahoma State Department of Education

Pupil Transportation

Kim Hale or Mat Luse

405-360-5351 or 405-227-3958

kimberly.hale@sde.ok.gov or mat.luse@sde.ok.gov

Trainer Title

Trainer Name

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Trainer Email