Page 52 - School Bus Operators and Attendants Handbook

Students with Special Needs

There are many Federal and State Statutes, laws, regulations, policies, and procedures that must
be followed by school systems regarding students with disabilities. There are two pieces or Federal
legislation in which drivers will become familiar that require school districts to provide specialized
transportation for students with disabilities (even when a student lives within the state’s two-mile
limit). They are:

The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504)

Students protected under Section 504 are identified as having a mental or physical impairment
that substantially limits one or more major life activities. Examples of such activities include caring
for oneself, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, and
working. Students who qualify for school transportation services under this law must have a “504
plan” which is written at the school with the student’s parents/guardians. A student with a health
condition such as asthma may require “504” transportation services.

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

This law was created to ensure that all students with disabilities have opportunities to access
public education and receive education services for their unique needs. When a student is
identified and evaluated as needing Exceptional Student Education (ESE) services, an Individual
Education Plan (IEP) is written with the parents/guardians and school district personnel where

It is determined what special educational programs and “related series” (transportation) the
student may need in order to be successful at school, in the community, and on the bus.

Transportation for disabled students should provide education and services in the Least Restrictive
Environment (LRE) by:
 Transporting them to the maximum extent appropriate with students who do not have disabilities
 Transporting them to their home school or as close to home as possible
 Providing, or arranging, for transportation to nonacademic and extracurricular services and
activities in order for disabled students to participate with non-disabled students to the
maximum extent possible

Additional Information

 School systems provide these educational and related services to disabled students at no cost to
the parent/guardian. This is known as a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE).
 Occasionally, parents/guardians and school district personnel may disagree about the education
and related services for disabled students. Mediation and or a Due Process Hearing may occur to
settle the matter.
 Special rules apply for ESE students who are suspended or expelled from the school or school
bus, especially when the behavior is related to the student’s disability. ESE students can be

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Students with Special Needs