PURPOSE The Georgia Department of Education Pupil Transportation Division has sought to further pupil transportation safety through school bus driver education programs throughout Georgia. The selection of suitable employees must be followed by instruction and training to ensure the employees will satisfactorily perform their duties in the manner expected. The Georgia Department of Education’s driver training manual was developed to provide a comprehensive course consistent with the goals of pupil transportation management to provide a safe, efficient and dependable service. This curriculum handbook also seeks to promote uniformity of instruction and the learning experience. While allowing for flexibility for all school systems, you should completely familiarize yourself with the course content so that you can customize the materials to satisfy local needs. Every effort has been made to present a comprehensive coverage in this manual. Table of Contents Section A A-1 – A-8 Requirements for Program School System’s Responsibility Driver Selection Driver Responsibility Section B B-1 – B-37 Instructional Strategies for the Bus Driver Trainer Organizing the Learning Environment Lesson Plan Preparation Effective Delivery of the Lesson Using Multiple Media Power Point Section C C-1 – C-118 Regular Transportation Content Unit 1 Georgia Laws for School Bus Operation Introduction Review of Relevant Laws; Georgia 20 Code Section Review of Relevant Laws; Georgia 40 Code Section Review of Georgia Board of Education Rules Content Unit 2 Traffic Control Devices Unit Introduction Traffic Signs Traffic Signals Roadway Markings Content Unit 3 Driving the Bus – Handling Characteristics Velocity, Centrifugal Force, Inertia, and the School Bus Effects of Friction and Gravity on Stopping a School Bus Braking Distances Mirror Adjustment Driving the School Bus - - Basic Skills Content Unit 4 Behind the Wheel Training Unit Basic Skills Intermediate Skills Advance Skills Turns Content Unit 5 Driver Discourtesies, Errors and Violations Content Unit 6 Loading and Unloading Unit Introduction Requirements for Stop Locations Proper Use of Eight Light Warning System Loading and Unloading Student; Highways, Surface Streets, School Grounds and Turnaround Content Unit 7 Pre-Trip Inspection Introduction General Inspection Under-the-Hood Inspection Outside-the-Bus Inspection Interior Inspection Road Check Content Unit 8 Post-Trip Inspection Securing the Bus After the Route/Trip Post-Trip Inspection Post Run Segment Check Content Unit 9 Railroad Grade Crossing Unit Introduction Procedures for Crossing at Grade Problems at Railroad Grade Crossings Content Unit 10 Accident Procedures Unit Introduction Accident Procedures Content Unit 11 Emergency Evacuation Reason’s for Actual Emergency Evacuation Important Factors Pertaining to Evacuation Drills Three Basic Types of Emergency Evacuation Drills Content Unit 12 Mechanical Failure Procedures Content Unit 13 Disabled Vehicle Warning Devices Content Unit 14 Fire Extinguisher Procedures Content Unit 15 Extracurricular Trips Unit Introduction Planning the Route Emergency Preparations Responsibilities Content Unit 16 First Aid Unit Basic Principals and First Aid Mouth-to-Mouth Resuscitation Clearing the Airways Controlling Bleeding Treatment for Shock First Aid for Epileptic Seizure Location and Contents of the first Aid Kit Location, Clean-up and Handling of Body Fluids or Matter Content Unit 17 Student Management Unit Introduction Characteristics of Young People Roadblocks to Effective Communication Tips on Maintaining Discipline Do(s) and Don’t(s) of Discipline Passenger Management Team General Rules and Regulations for Student Management Content Unit 18 Driver Skills Evaluations Performance Standard: The trainee shall be proficient in all skill areas which are evaluated Loading Students Unloading Students Driver Skill Evaluation Form Expressing Driving Evaluations Content Unit 19 Final School Bus Driver Road Test Performance Standard The trainee shall be satisfactory in all categories to be passed as a school bus driver. Section D D-1 – D-42 Special Needs Transportation SE Content Unit 1 Recognizing Student Disabilities Introduction Disability Terminology and Characteristics SE Content Unit 2 Communicating with Students with Disabilities General Tips for Bus Drivers and Bus Monitors Specific Tips for Bus Managers and Assistants SE Content Unit 3 First Aid Unit Introduction First Aid Procedures SE Content Unit 4 Individualize Education Program (IEP) Introduction The IEP Program SE Content Unit 5 Medical Conditions and Serious Medical Emergencies Introduction Medical Conditions Requiring Immediate Medical Attention SE Content Unit 6 Confidentiality of Information and Records Introduction Medical Information Cards SE Content Unit 7 Bus Driver Responsibilities SE Content Unit 8 Bus Monitor Responsibilities SE Content Unit 9 Loading and Unloading Non-Ambulatory Wheelchair Passengers Introduction Positioning and Securing Bus for Loading Wheelchair Passenger Preparing Lift for Loading Wheelchair Passenger Preparing Lift for Loading Wheelchair Passenger Without a Monitor Positioning of Wheelchair on School Bus Attaching the Two Rear Securement Straps Attaching the Two Front Securement Straps Attaching the Lap Belt Attaching the Shoulder Belt SE Content Unit 10 Emergency Evacuation Procedures for Special Need Students Introduction Reasons for Evacuation Issues to be Considered Important Points Methods of Evacuation Front Door Evacuation Drill Evacuating Non-Ambulatory Students SE Content Unit 11 Student Behavior Management Introduction Helpful Hints for Behavior Management Interventions Prohibited by Law Disciplinary and Suspension Procedures SE Content Unit 12 Transporting Pre-School Students Introduction Recommendations for the Transportation of Pre-school Age Children in School Buses Child Safety Restraint System Defined REQUIREMENTS FOR PROGRAM The initial training program for school bus drivers shall consist of a minimum of twelve (12) hours of classroom, six (6) hours of driving time without students, and six (6) hours of driving time with students. This program is designed to provide minimum basic training for a person with driving experience. One must keep in mind that a person with little driving experience may very well require a longer training program. Due to the length of this program, items such as interview, pay schedule, local system bookkeeping, and CDL preparation cannot be considered as part of the twelve-hour classroom phase. Such items and information are necessary for the local system and the prospective driver; however, little is gained which would pertain to the safe driving of a school bus. PHASE I -- CLASSROOM The thirty-one content units in this manual must be covered in Phase I. A summary of these topics are as follows: Introduction and Orientation Georgia Laws for School Bus Operation Traffic Control Devices Unit Driving the Bus – Handling Characteristics Behind the Wheel Training Unit Driver Discourtesies, Errors and Violations Loading and Unloading Unit Pre-Trip Inspection Post-Trip Inspection Railroad Grade Crossing Unit Accident Procedures Unit Emergency Evacuation Mechanical Failure Procedures Disabled Vehicle Warning Devices Fire Extinguisher Procedures Extracurricular Trips Unit First Aid Unit Student Management Unit Driver Skills Evaluations Final School Bus Driver Road Test Recognizing Student Disabilities Communicating with Students with Disabilities First Aid Unit Medical Conditions and Serious Medical Emergencies Confidentiality of Information and Records Bus Driver Responsibilities Bus Monitor Responsibilities Load and Unloading Non-Ambulatory Wheelchair Passengers Emergency Evacuation Procedures for Special Need Students Student Behavior Management Transporting Pre-School Students Georgia Department of Education Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools February 2005 • Page A-1 All Rights Reserved Special Characteristics of School Bus (These characteristics should be stressed again in Phase II and Phase III.) Wheelbase Turns Stopping Ability Visibility; Proper Mirror Adjustment Basic Maneuvers Passing and Being Passed Freeway Driving Lane Changing and Driving in Lanes Backing Defensive Driving Driving in Adverse Weather (This topic should also be stressed in Phase II and Phase III.) Fog Rain Snow and Ice Dirt and Gravel Roads Severe Weather (Local Policy) PHASE II -- DRIVING The six hours in this phase is conducted without students on the bus. This phase should begin with an evaluation of the driver's ability to drive the vehicle. Two (2) of the six (6) hours may be observation and demonstration; however, four (4) hours must be either on the road or range driving, under the supervision of a Department of Education certified bus driver trainer. The driver must successfully complete this phase prior to entering driving in Phase III. Trainers should document the progress of a trainee by using an evaluation instrument. PHASE III -- DRIVING The six (6) hours in this phase is conducted with students on the bus. This phase, if successfully completed, should culminate with a successful evaluation and a recommendation from the driver trainer. Two (2) of the six (6) hours may be observation and demonstration; however, four (4) hours must be on- the-road driving, under the supervision of a Department of Education certified school bus driver trainer. Trainers should document the progress of a trainee by using an evaluation instrument. Georgia Department of Education Kathy Cox, State Superintendent