Transportation
Transportation as a related service is included in an eligible student's IEP if the IEP team determines that such a service is needed. Transportation includes:
• travel to and from school and between schools;
• travel in and around school buildings; and
• specialized equipment (such as special or adapted buses, lifts, and ramps), if required to provide special transportation for a child with a disability [Section 300.24(b)(15)].
Public school districts must provide transportation to students with disabilities in two situations. These are:
• if a district provides transportation to and from school for the general student population, then it must provide transportation for a student with a disability; and
• if a school district does not provide transportation for the general student population, then the issue of transportation for students with disabilities must be decided on a case-by-case basis if the IEP team has determined that transportation is needed by the child and has included it on his or her IEP (Office of Special Education Programs, 1995).
If the IEP team determines that a student with a disability needs transportation to benefit from special education, it must be included in the student's IEP and provided as a related service at no cost to the student and his or her parents (Office of Special Education Programs, 1995).
Not all students with disabilities are eligible to receive transportation as a related service. As Attachment 1 of the Federal regulations for IDEA '97 points out:
It is assumed that most children with disabilities will receive the same transportation provided to nondisabled children, unless the IEP team determines otherwise. However, for some children with disabilities, integrated transportation may not be achieved unless needed accommodations are provided to address each child's unique needs. If the IEP team determines that a disabled child requires transportation as a related service in order to receive FAPE, or requires accommodations or modifications to participate in integrated transportation with nondisabled children, the child must receive the necessary transportation or accommodations at no cost to the parents. This is so, even if no transportation is provided to nondisabled children. (U.S. Department of Education, 1999a, p. 12551)
A student's need for transportation as a related service and the type of transportation to be provided must be discussed and decided by the IEP team. Whether transportation goals and objectives are required in the IEP depends on the purpose of the transportation. If transportation is being provided solely to and from school, in and around school, and between schools, no goals or objectives are needed. If instruction is provided to a student to increase his or her independence or improve his or her behavior during transportation, then goals and objectives must be included in the student's IEP (Office of Special Education Programs, 1995).
********URGENT NEWS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Has your Hillsborough County ESE child been refused bus service within your sub division, gated community, or apartment complex? If you are having problems getting bus service for your child, we have some information for you! We are working with the local legislators and we will be discussing this at our first support group meeting, please contact the web site if you need assistance, there is strength in numbers and we have the attention of our legislators at this time so if you need help let us know! Informed Parents United Together!!!
Anyone in Hillsborough if you are going through this, or know someone else is please contact me at information@iput.org. I am working on this issue, but this could be systemic. Thanks!!! This is the district policy they sent via email today!
We are getting so much email on this problem and we have worked with the local level enough and contact us at the web ..information@iput.org..... we need a resolution for this issue!!!
This is the districts Hold Harmless Waiver Policy
click here below
/Documents/Gated communities Letter to Citizens 06-07.doc