Training for Annual Bus Stop Driver Evaluations

March 2013 1

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Georgia Bus Stop Fatalities 2009-2013

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National School Bus Loading And Unloading Survey 2009-2010 = 5 GA Bus Stop Fatalities2010-2011 = 2 GA Bus Stop Fatalities2011-2012 = 2 GA Bus Stop Fatalities2012-2013 = 2 GA Bus Stop Fatalities

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Georgia has Led the Nation for 3 Consecutive Years

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 12/17/12Complete tool to score yourself and reverse

trend of student fatalities4

PurposeImprove driver performance & learning

Drivers should be treated as professionalsPurpose 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 locations2. Bus drivers carrying out required duties3. Students executing essential safe

behaviors 5

Brief OverviewPre-Evaluation Orientation

Inform drivers onAreas and items to be observed & evaluated

On-Board Observation RideGood score = Official evaluation of recordPoor score = Extended phase with remediation

To be followed w/another evaluation observation

Post Observation ConferenceRequired after each extended phaseRequired after some satisfactory evaluations

w/limited issues6

Pre-Evaluation Orientation

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Pre-Evaluation Orientation Roll out to drivers is critical. They must . . .

Not be caught off guardNot be seen as threateningNot be seen as gotcha process

Everyone wants the same thingStudents to be safe at bus stop and when

loading & unloadingFatality history has taught what is required

Meet with drivers prior to their evaluationPromote driver understanding to get buy-in

Essential to success 8

Pre-Evaluation Orientation Cont'dYou want your drivers to understand

The overall processThe scoring guidelinesThe forms that will be used

Provide a copy of the Loading & Unloading scoring forms

Ensure drivers have the new Unit 6Internet –

http://www.gadoe.org/Finance-and-Business-Operations/Pupil-Transportation/Pages/School-Bus-Safety.aspx

Or provide an actual printed copy9

On-Board Evaluation Observation Ride

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On-Board Evaluation Observation Ride

You decide who performs rideYouSupervisorTrainerLead bus driver, etc.

Whatever works – Find a way!Can be either a morning or afternoon load

If AM this year, then maybe PM next yearRide multiple loads if possible in AM or PM

Ride – Get off @ school – Ride different load11

On-Board Evaluation Observation Ride Cont'd

Overall Satisfactory score = Official evaluation of record

Failure to score overall SatisfactoryExtended Phase period

Post observation conferenceRelated remedial trainingFollow-up evaluation observation(s)

Until driver scores overall SatisfactoryOverall Satisfactory score = Becomes official

evaluation of record12

Post ObservationConference

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Post Observation ConferenceNOT required

If driver scores Satisfactory on ALL itemsIS required to provide clarity & direction

If driver has up to 2 Developing scores in areaDriver was really good, but not quite perfectDiscuss items needing attention

If driver scores poorly – Extended PhaseDiscuss area(s) & item(s) needing improvementClarify what remedial training will be providedDiscuss time frame for corrections 14

Scoring Key

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Key for Scoring ItemsPlace check mark in appropriate space

Use N/A as needed Use this key in making scoring decisions:

Satisfactory = Meets or exceeds expectationsThey got it right

Developing = Overall meets expectations with limited exceptionsThey got it right most of the time

Needs Improvement = Does not meet expectationsThey got it wrong 16

Scoring for Bus Stop Requirements/

Recommendations

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Sample Bus Stop Requirements/Recommendations

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AREAS & ITEMSBUS STOP REQUIREMENTS/RECOMMENDATIONS (**=Use in Driv. Eval.)Can be seen for at least 300 feet-Where Possible (Room for vehicles to stop)Sufficient room for students to wait 12 feet off roadway - Where Possible**Students do not cross more than 2 lanes**Not located within 30 feet of stop sign or traffic control signal**Not located directly in a cul-de-sacAllows bus driver to use far right lane Allows bus driver to stop short - keeping students in direct view**Loads students before backing at turn around (if applicable)LIST ANY BUS STOPS NEEDING REVIEW:

Items are based on New Unit 6 materialSome items not responsibility of driver

Only items with ** count towards driver’s scoreNeeds Improvement score for bus stop items

Resolved by Transportation OfficeAdjust stop, if possible, to improve safety

There will be no Developing scoresOnly Satisfactory orNeeds Improvement

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Scoring Bus Stop Requirements/Recommendations

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Scoring for Driver Duties

Sample Driver Duties

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AREAS & ITEMSSatis-

factoryLOADING (DRIVER DUTIES) [* = Recommended]Taps/flashes brakesSlows and scans for safety issuesActivates ambers at least 200 feet priorChecks mirrors for traffic & potential hazardsUtilizes care keeping 12 feet separation from studentsStops smoothly & fully in far right lane of road (to include decel lane)Stops so students come towards bus from the front(1) Sets parking brake & (2) *Places transmission in neutralOnce stopped, opens door to activate red flashing lightsMakes sure ALL traffic has stoppedUses eye contact & hand signal for crossing students (standing 12 feet off road)Counts, recounts, & accounts for all students Ensures everyone is safely on board & seated, then closes doorFoot on brake - (1) *Shifts from neutral to drive (2) Releases parking brakeChecks mirrors before & as pulling away

Items are based on New Unit 6 materialWhat is the driver doing

As they approach the stop?When loading or unloading?When leaving the stop?

Score all items in this areaUse N/A as neededUse the Scoring Criteria Guide provided

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Scoring Driver Duties

Sample Scoring Criteria Guide for Driver Duties

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LOADING (DRIVER DUTIES)1. Taps/flashes brakes - Applied brakes early and hard enough to light up the brake lights (so vehicles behind had a warning a stop was about to take place)

2. Slows and scans for safety issues- Started slowing down in preparation for the stop- Scanned for safety issues and any unusual circumstance

3. Activates ambers at least 200 feet prior- Activated eight-ways at a sufficient distance to warn other motorists of upcoming stop- Activated ambers even if no student was present

Scoring for Student Safe Behaviors

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Sample Student Safe Behaviors

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AREAS & ITEMSLOADING FROM THE DOOR SIDE (STUDENT SAFE BEHAVIORS)All items are packed (in book bag, etc.)No use of ear buds, headphones, etc.Stays on their side of road Waits 12 feet from edge of road - Where PossibleWaits for bus to stop & door to openWaits for moving traffic to stopLooks for moving cars while walking straight towards door Stays in direct view of driver (away from front & rear bus tires)Boards the bus directly without delayUses handrail & goes directly to a seat

Scoring Student Safe BehaviorsItems are based on New Unit 6 & School Bus

Safety CurriculumStudents must execute safe behaviors

School Bus Safety Curriculum may or may not be taught in schools

Bus driver is teacher, enforcer & reinforcerSee and know what students are doingHave 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 26

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Overall Evaluation Score

Sample Overall Evaluation Score

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Driver's signature indicates the evaluation was performed. It does not indicate agreement.

Evaluator's Name (Print)__________________________________________________

Evaluator's Signature__________________________________________________

Bus Driver's Signature___________________________________________________

Satisfactory _____ Extended Phase (Remediation W/Follow-Up Eval.) _____ Unsatisfactory _____

0VERALL EVALUATION SCORE - Place a check in the appropriate space.

Overall Evaluation ScoreSatisfactory School Bus Driver Evaluation

Recommended overall Satisfactory score =Becomes official evaluation of recordNo Needs improvement scores at all orUp to 2 Developing scores in same area

(Up to 2 in any or all of 3 areas) =Driver DutiesStudent Safe Behaviors Door SideStudent Safe Behaviors Across the Road

Detailed guidance at Post Observation Conf..

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Overall Evaluation Score Cont'dExtended Phase Evaluation Observation

Recommended Extended Phase =3 or more Developing scores in same area1 or more Needs Improvement scores in any

areaBecomes informal diagnostic evaluation

Detailed guidance at Post Observation Conf.Followed by related remedial instruction/trainingFollowed by another evaluation observation

Repeat process until Satisfactory is achievedFinal successful evaluation becomes official

evaluation of record 30

Overall Evaluation Score Cont'dUnsatisfactory School Bus Driver Evaluation

Recommend overall Unsatisfactory scoreONLY if driver fails to remediate in Extended

Phase after repeated attemptsSchool system decides how many attempts to

retrain, rescore, etc.Becomes official evaluation of record

Pressure is on you to rehabilitate the driverStakes are high for driver and for school system

So after exhausting all effort . . .Can you keep an Unsatisfactory driver?

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SummaryYou have been provided the resources

required to help protect your studentsSchool Bus Safety Curriculum

Elementary schoolMiddle school

New Unit 6 – Loading & UnloadingPower Point and narrative for new Unit 6

Annual Bus Stop Driver EvaluationInstructions & defined processRequired formsThis PPT to use in training your staff 32

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Do You Know What is Going On at Your Bus

Stops?

You Can Make this Happen

Help to Keep Your Students Safe!

Questionsand

Answers34