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Georgia has Led the Nation
for 3 Consecutive Years
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 What can you do to know your stops are safe?
 Pupil Transportation Records Assessment
 Section 3, item “F”
 Annual on-board skill assessment is administered
 GaDOE has not previously provided
 Specific forms or
 Defined on-board assessment process
 GaDOE Annual Bus Stop Driver Assessment
provided on 12/17/12
 Complete tool to score yourself and reverse
trend of student fatalities
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 Improve driver performance & learning
 Drivers should be treated as professionals
 Purpose is to help them
 Not a threatening or gotcha process
 Use annual assessment to improve bus stop
safety
 Identify and resolve any issues with:
 1. Safety of bus stop locations
 2. Bus drivers carrying out required duties
 3. Students executing essential safe behaviors
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 Pre-Assessment Orientation
 Inform drivers on
 Areas and items to be observed & assessed
 On-Board Observation Ride
 Good score = Official assessment of record
 Poor score = Extended phase with remediation
 To be followed w/another assessment observat.
 Post Observation Conference
 Required after each extended phase
 Required after some satisfactory assessments
w/limited issues
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 Roll out to drivers is critical. They must . . .
 Not be caught off guard
 Not be seen as threatening
 Not be seen as gotcha process
 Everyone wants the same thing
 Students to be safe at bus stop and when
loading & unloading
 Fatality history has taught what is required
 Meet with drivers prior to their assessment
 Promote driver understanding to get buy-in
 Essential to success
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 You want your drivers to understand
 The overall process
 The scoring guidelines
 The forms that will be used
 Provide a copy of the Loading & Unloading
scoring forms
 Ensure drivers have the new Unit 6
 Internet – http://www.gadoe.org/Finance-and-
Business-Operations/PupilTransportation/Pages/School-Bus-Safety.aspx
 Or provide an actual printed copy
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 You decide who performs ride
 You
 Supervisor
 Trainer
 Lead bus driver, etc.
 Whatever works – Find a way!
 Can be either a morning or afternoon load
 If AM this year, then maybe PM next year
 Ride multiple loads if possible in AM or PM
 Ride – Get off @ school – Ride different load 11
 Overall Satisfactory score = Official
assessment of record
 Failure to score overall Satisfactory
 Extended Phase period
 Post observation conference
 Related remedial training
 Follow-up assessment observation(s)
 Until driver scores overall Satisfactory
 Overall Satisfactory score = Becomes official
assessment of record
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 NOT required
 If driver scores Satisfactory on ALL items
 IS required to provide clarity & direction
 If driver has up to 2 Developing scores in
area
 Driver was really good, but not quite perfect
 Discuss items needing attention
 If driver scores poorly – Extended Phase
 Discuss area(s) & item(s) needing improvement
 Clarify what remedial training will be provided
 Discuss time frame for corrections
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 Place check mark in appropriate space
 Use N/A as needed
 Use this key in making scoring decisions:
 Satisfactory = Meets or exceeds expectations
 They got it right
 Developing = Overall meets expectations with
limited exceptions
 They got it right most of the time
 Needs Improvement = Does not meet
expectations
 They got it wrong
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AREAS & ITEMS
BUS STOP REQUIREMENTS/RECOMMENDATIONS (**= Use in Driv. Assess.)
Can be seen for at least 300 feet-Where Possible (Room for vehicles to stop)
Sufficient room for students to wait 12 feet off roadway - Where Possible
**Students do not cross more than 2 lanes
**Not located within 30 feet of stop sign or traffic control signal
**Not located directly in a cul-de-sac
Allows bus driver to use far right lane
Allows bus driver to stop short - keeping students in direct view
**Loads students before backing at turn around (if applicable)
LIST ANY BUS STOPS NEEDING REVIEW:
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 Items are based on New Unit 6 material
 Some items not responsibility of driver
 Only items with
** count towards driver’s score
 Needs Improvement score for bus stop items
 Resolved by Transportation Office
 Adjust stop, if possible, to improve safety
 There will be no Developing scores
 Only Satisfactory or
 Needs Improvement
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Evaluator Instructions - Place a check in each appropriate space or us
AREAS & ITEMS
LOADING (DRIVER DUTIES)
[* = Recommended]
Taps/flashes brakes
Slows and scans for safety issues
Activates ambers at least 200 feet prior
Checks mirrors for traffic & potential hazards
Utilizes care keeping 12 feet separation from students
Stops smoothly & fully in far right lane of road (to include decel lane)
Stops so students come towards bus from the front
(1) Sets parking brake & (2) *Places transmission in neutral
Once stopped, opens door to activate red flashing lights
Makes sure ALL traffic has stopped
Uses eye contact & hand signal for crossing students (standing 12 feet off road)
Counts, recounts, & accounts for all students
Ensures everyone is safely on board & seated, then closes door
Foot on brake - (1) *Shifts from neutral to drive (2) Releases parking brake
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Checks mirrors before & as pulling away
f
 Items are based on New Unit 6 material
 What is the driver doing
 As they approach the stop?
 When loading or unloading?
 When leaving the stop?
 Score all items in this area
 Use N/A as needed
 Use the Scoring Criteria Guide provided
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LOADING (DRIVER DUTIES)
1. Taps/flashes brakes
- Applied brakes early and hard enough to light up the brake lights
(so vehicles behind had a warning a stop was about to take place)
2. Slows and scans for safety issues
- Started slowing down in preparation for the stop
- Scanned for safety issues and any unusual circumstance
3. Activates ambers at least 200 feet prior
- Activated eight-ways at a sufficient distance to warn other motorists
of upcoming stop
- Activated ambers even if no student was present
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AREAS & ITEMS
LOADING FROM THE DOOR SIDE (STUDENT SAFE BEHAVIORS)
All items are packed (in book bag, etc.)
No use of ear buds, headphones, etc.
Stays on their side of road
Waits 12 feet from edge of road - Where Possible
Waits for bus to stop & door to open
Waits for moving traffic to stop
Looks for moving cars while walking straight towards door
Stays in direct view of driver (away from front & rear bus tires)
Boards the bus directly without delay
Uses handrail & goes directly to a seat
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 Items are based on New Unit 6 & School Bus
Safety Curriculum
 Students must execute safe behaviors
 School Bus Safety Curriculum may or may not
be taught in schools
 Bus driver is teacher, enforcer & reinforcer
 See and know what students are doing
 Have duty to ensure students are safe
 Evaluate driver on Student Safe Behaviors
 Only if on route/load for 4 weeks
 Need time to train students
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0VERALL ASSESSMENT SCORE - Place a check in the appropriate space.
Satisfactory _____ Extended Phase (Remediation W/Follow-Up Assess.) _____ Unsatisfactory _____
Assessor's Name (Print)__________________________________________________
Assessor's Signature__________________________________________________
Bus Driver's Signature___________________________________________________
Driver's signature indicates the assessment was performed. It does not indicate agreement.
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 Satisfactory School Bus Driver Assessment
 Recommended overall Satisfactory score =
 Becomes official assessment of record
 No Needs improvement scores at all or
 Up to 2 Developing scores in same area
 (Up to 2 in any or all of 3 areas) =
 Driver Duties
 Student Safe Behaviors Door Side
 Student Safe Behaviors Across the Road
 Detailed guidance at Post Observation
Conference
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 Extended Phase Assessment Observation
 Recommended Extended Phase =
 3 or more Developing scores in same area
 1 or more Needs Improvement scores in any
area
 Becomes informal diagnostic assessment
 Detailed guidance at Post Observation Conf.
 Followed by related remedial instruction/training
 Followed by another assessment observation
 Repeat process until Satisfactory is achieved
 Final successful assessment becomes official
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assessment of record
 Unsatisfactory School Bus Driver Assess.
 Recommend overall Unsatisfactory score
 ONLY if driver fails to remediate in Extended
Phase after repeated attempts
 School system decides how many attempts to
retrain, rescore, etc.
 Becomes official assessment of record
 Pressure is on you to rehabilitate the driver
 Stakes are high for driver and for school system
 So after exhausting all effort . . .
 Can you keep an Unsatisfactory driver?
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 You have been provided the resources
required to help protect your students
 School Bus Safety Curriculum
 Elementary school
 Middle school
 New Unit 6 – Loading & Unloading
 Power Point and narrative for new Unit 6
 Annual Bus Stop Driver Assessment
 Instructions & defined process
 Required forms
 This PPT to use in training your staff
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