Annual Bus Stop Driver Evaluations Training to Enhance Safety in Georgia Schools

1. Training for Annual Bus Stop Driver Evaluations March 2013

2. Georgia Bus Stop Fatalities 2009-2013 x 2

3. National School Bus • Loading And Unloading Survey • 2009-2010 = 5 GA Bus Stop Fatalities • 2010-2011 = 2 GA Bus Stop Fatalities • 2011-2012 = 2 GA Bus Stop Fatalities • 2012-2013 = 2 GA Bus Stop Fatalities Georgia has Led the Nation for 3 Consecutive Years

4. Are Your School Bus Stops Safe? • What can you do to know your stops are safe? • Pupil Transportation Records Assessment • Section 3, item “F” • Annual on-board skill evaluation is administered • GaDOE has not previously provided • Specific forms or • Defined on-board evaluation process • GaDOE Annual Bus Stop Driver Evaluation provided on 12/17/12 • Complete tool to score yourself and reverse trend of student fatalities

5. Purpose • Improve driver performance & learning • Drivers should be treated as professionals • Purpose is to help them • Not a threatening or gotcha process • Use annual evaluation 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

6. Brief Overview • Pre-Evaluation Orientation • Inform drivers on • Areas and items to be observed & evaluated • On-Board Observation Ride • Good score = Official evaluation of record • Poor score = Extended phase with remediation • To be followed w/another evaluation observation • Post Observation Conference • Required after each extended phase • Required after some satisfactory evaluations w/limited issues

7. Pre-Evaluation Orientation

8. Pre-Evaluation Orientation • 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 evaluation • Promote driver understanding to get buy-in • Essential to success

9. Pre-Evaluation Orientation Cont'd • 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/Pupil-Transportation/Pages/School-Bus-Safety.aspx • Or provide an actual printed copy

10. On-Board Evaluation Observation Ride

11. On-Board Evaluation Observation Ride • 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

12. On-Board Evaluation Observation Ride Cont'd • Overall Satisfactory score = Official evaluation of record • Failure to score overall Satisfactory • Extended Phase period • Post observation conference • Related remedial training • Follow-up evaluation observation(s) • Until driver scores overall Satisfactory • Overall Satisfactory score = Becomes official evaluation of record

13. Post ObservationConference

14. Post Observation Conference • 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

15. Scoring Key

16. Key for Scoring Items • 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

17. Scoring for Bus Stop Requirements/ Recommendations

18. Sample Bus Stop Requirements/Recommendations

19. Scoring Bus Stop Requirements/Recommendations • 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

20. Scoring for Driver Duties

21. Sample Driver Duties

22. Scoring Driver Duties • 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

23. Sample Scoring Criteria Guide for Driver Duties

24. Scoring for Student Safe Behaviors

25. Sample Student Safe Behaviors

26. Scoring Student Safe Behaviors • 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

27. Overall Evaluation Score

28. Sample Overall Evaluation Score

29. Overall Evaluation Score • Satisfactory School Bus Driver Evaluation • Recommended overall Satisfactory score = • Becomes official evaluation of record • No Needs improvementscores at all or • Up to 2 Developingscores 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 Conf..

30. Overall Evaluation Score Cont'd • Extended Phase Evaluation Observation • Recommended Extended Phase = • 3 or more Developingscores in same area • 1 or more Needs Improvement scores in anyarea • Becomes informal diagnostic evaluation • Detailed guidance at Post Observation Conf. • Followed by related remedial instruction/training • Followed by another evaluation observation • Repeat process until Satisfactory is achieved • Final successful evaluation becomes official evaluation of record

31. Overall Evaluation Score Cont'd • Unsatisfactory School Bus Driver Evaluation • 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 evaluation 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?

32. Summary • 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 Evaluation • Instructions & defined process • Required forms • This PPT to use in training your staff

33. Do You Know What is Going On at Your Bus Stops? • You Can Make this Happen • Help to Keep Your Students Safe!

34. QuestionsandAnswers