National Special Education Day: Prioritizing Safe & Accessible Transportation for All Students
STA honors the importance of prioritizing safe and accessible transportation for all students
The history of the U.S. education system dates back to the 1600s when the country’s first public school opened in Massachusetts. And as with any new system, it took time for certain needs and standards to be recognized, such as the establishment of the first state Board of Education, the National Parent Teacher Association, and even certain safety standards for the operation of school buses.
But it was not until 1975, when a landmark federal law was put into place, that the rights of students with disabilities and other special needs were outlined to ensure the same educational opportunities for all school children.
Setting Critical Standards to Accessible Education
Known initially as the Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975 and later carried into the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), this transformative law set critical standards for not only the legal right to a Free Appropriate Public Education for every special needs student, but also the right to appropriate accommodations, modifications, and access to the safe learning environments necessary for a quality education and positive school experience.
Today, more than 7 million public school students are supported by the regulations of the IDEA. Part of the law’s ongoing support has been the creation of Individualized Education Plans, or IEPs, which help outline specific educational instruction and support services that students with certain needs require, in order to meet their educational goals. The use of IEPs ensures that all caretakers – from parents and teachers to school bus drivers and monitors – are supporting their students with the same goals and expectations needed to provide the unique and specialized care they each need.
“By prioritizing safe and accessible transportation, we break down barriers and create a more inclusive society where mobility is a right, not a privilege.”
Special Needs Transportation is More Than Just a Service
Understanding special needs in children is an important part of what the STA Family does each day. As transportation professionals, it is our purpose to provide safe access to education for all students regardless of their physical, emotional, or economic challenges.
“Specialized school transportation is a lifeline that ensures students with disabilities have access to the same opportunities, independence, and quality of life as everyone else,” says Drew Womble, the General Manager of STA’s transportation operation in Wake County, North Carolina, where more than 90 percent of our services support special needs students and other IEP requirements. “By prioritizing safe and accessible transportation,” Drew adds, “we break down barriers and create a more inclusive society where mobility is a right, not a privilege.”
STA strongly believes that every child deserves safe and reliable access to education, and we work hard to ensure all passengers receive the care and attention they need. Our bus drivers and monitors receive comprehensive training that addresses different physical and emotional needs, alongside legislation overviews and updates, to continually strengthen their compassion and skill levels. We have also begun introducing a new concept of special needs care to our Safety Training Team through the Ukeru System, backed by decades of neurological, psychological, and social research that offers an approach to crisis management based on thoughtful actions, rather than coercive behavior techniques.
Listen to STA's Safety Leader, Shelly Hall, Discuss the Ukeru Method
Raising Awareness & Celebrating Acceptance
On December 2nd each year, National Special Education Day celebrates the signing of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act into law and shines a light on the critical importance of inclusion in educational spaces. On this day and every day, our team members are humbled by the trust that parents place in us to care for their children, and we approach each day with a sense of honor and responsibility. With special needs ridership increasing year over year, the STA Family aims to stay ahead of the curve and ready to support the changing needs of our passengers, and their families.
“Our work goes beyond just driving,” says Denis Gallagher, Jr., Senior Vice President of Operations for STA’s Southeast Region & Texas. “It’s about making sure every student gets the opportunity to thrive in a supportive and nurturing environment, both inside and outside the classroom.”
