Safe Rider Program “Safely Transporting Our Future”

Contact Information Phone: Fax: Mailing Address: Cobb County School District Transportation Department Attn: Safe Rider Program 620 So. Cobb Dr. Marietta, GA 30060

CCSD Strategic Plan: Objective 1.3: Continue to evaluate and improve focus on public safety. Indicators BaselineResultsTargets Increase student awareness of safe behavior practices by reducing student offenses in the following areas: 2% 10% overall Fighting & Bullying Drugs Weapons Gang-related incidents Improve bus discipline at all levels through implementation of the Safe Rider Bus program. No Data Available Priority1: MS(25) Priority2: ES (70) Priority3: HS(16) Pilot at 2 MS: 58% reduction in referrals 30 schools: SRP 20 MS; 9 ES; 1 HS: 58% total reduction in referrals 10% 22 MS 10 ES 2 HS 10% 24 MS 11 ES 2 HS 10% 100% MS 14 ES 3 HS 10% 100% MS 17 ES 3 HS 50% overall 100% MS 21 ES 4 HS

What is Safe Rider? The Safe Rider Program is a new approach to student management for school buses. The core of the program is promoting personal accountability as it relates to bus behavior.

Why is Safe Rider Needed?  Poor student behavior is the most reported difficulty by drivers.  46% of school bullying happens on the school bus*.  Overloading school administrators with countless bus referrals.  Misbehavior endangers the safety of all passengers. *Source: Kamaron Institute 2006

Parent Concern  475,000 school buses carry 25 million children- more than half of America’s school children each day, rarely with any serious accident.  Six in Ten parents are concerned about having their children ride the School Bus, the same six in ten parents consider the School Bus to be an important part of the education system*. Source: * American School Bus Council Partner “Tool Kit”

Safe Rider Concept Transportation Staff StudentParent Administrator

How is this achieved?  Training  Communication  Education  Steadfast Support Are you included in the decision making process?  Partnerships Incentive programs

Safe Rider Program  Designed to promote instant accountability.  Model is adaptable to any demographic and school climate.  Promotes Safe/Unsafe vs Behave/Misbehave.  Gradual Plan with Remediation Techniques.  R Reminds students that riding the School Bus is a Privilege.  Invites all parties to become members of the Safe Rider Team.

Safe Rider Program Graduated Discipline Plan Driver always starts with the “Addressing Misbehavior“ Card  1st Offense – Driver Student Conference & Parent Contacted by Courtesy Notice. Student on probation and re-assigned to the front of Bus for one week.  2nd Offense – Driver Student Conference & Parent Contacted by Courtesy Notice. Student on probation and re-assigned to the front of Bus for two weeks.  3rd Offense* – Referral submitted, 3 Days Bus Suspension (or six school). Upon return student on probation and re-assigned to the front of Bus for one week.  4th Offense* – Referral submitted, 5 Days Bus Suspension (or ten school) and *Conference required to return to bus.  5th Offense – Referral submitted, Transportation Director recommends Bus suspension for the remainder of the year. *Safe Rider Class and New Behavior Contract Required. Steps may be skipped if a student violates a rule while on assigned seat or probation The following is in addition to removing unsafe riders on the way home:

In Conclusion Safe Rider  Promotes 360° accountability for bus safety.  Empowers drivers with valuable tools.  Shares workload reducing stress on all parties.  Teaches the valuable lesson of teamwork.  Provides a road map for school administrators.  Increases retention rate of our drivers.