Transportation Director Course Descriptions

Basic Transportation Issues (18 hours): Include an overview of basic transportation issues with a focus on several key areas; a discussion on the vehicles used for a pupil transportation program; the training requirements for bus drivers; an overview of P.A. 187, the requirements for special needs transportation; and an overview of laws, rules, regulations, and opinions. Hands-on problem-solving is one of the components for teaching this class.

Accident Investigation and Public/Media Relations (3 hours): At the accident scene, learn what to look for, what information to gather, rules and regulations of reporting accidents, and how to analyze data. Understand how to respond to media both from routine inquires and when suddenly faced with a television crew.

Human Resource Leadership (3 hours): The principles of human resource management applied to a school district setting. Learn to hire, train, and motivate staff. Understand the basic laws and regulations which apply to human resource management.

Labor Relations/Employment Law (6 hours): Major state and federal employment laws that apply to public schools. Includes: collective bargaining, wage and hour, discrimination, COBRA, Family Medical Leave Act, and federal and state retirement issues.

Principles of Education (3 hours): Provides an understanding of: the educational process, the culture of schools, major learning theories, teaching methodologies, school improvement, design of in-service programs, and the structure and function of the principalship.

Public Relations and Internal Communications (3 hours): Background in PR and presenting yourself to others, including: developing a public relations plan;, working with your community, relating to other administrators within your organization, doing a budget presentation, and using of internal and external committees in developing a budget.

Student Discipline (3 hours): Explore behavior modification techniques and expectation to achieve classroom behavior on school buses. Develop understanding of student’s behavior; what works, what doesn’t work, and why. Learn to deal with students, staff, and parents.

Special Needs Transportation (6 hours): Provide an understanding of the special needs of transporting handicapped students. The session will cover ADA, IDEA, IEPC, positioning systems, and student management.

Team Leadership (3 hours): The components of leadership in general, and the methods and challenges of managing people, including: recruiting, training, motivating, and evaluating your staff.

Time Management (3 hours): Become a more effective manager by budgeting your time, identifying and assigning priorities, and establishing and achieving daily goals.

Transportation Facility Operations (6 hours): Use of computers and technology in the business office and the classroom, including: an overview of hardware, the how to’s of developing a technology plan, the major business office software applications, and some telecommunications issues.

Wrap-up (2 hours): A concluding session to very briefly review the major program content areas, provide references and resource materials, and offer a chance for the participants to reflect back and look forward on their roles.

Elective (6 hours): Any class can be taken in your area of specialty.

Total class time is 65 hours. Continuing Education hours are 90 hours within a five-calendar-year period.