Pupil Transportation

Training Requirements for Optional Virtual Training of Mandated Two Hour Refreshers for the 2020-2021 School Year

The following is in response to the request to create online training opportunities for pupil transportation professionals.  The following criteria would be the minimum requirements for the two-hour refresher training only.

  • During the 2020-2021 school year, any entity that wishes to use virtual instruction for the Fall and Spring Refresher season will be required to request a separate approval for each refresher from SED.
  • Virtual training is not mandated. It is an optional format to in-person instruction.
  • You will need to submit your recommended virtual training protocols to SED on a Notice of Virtual Training Offering (NVTO) for approval for each refresher season. Such protocols shall consist of but are not limited to the following:
    • Each Virtual Session will be limited to 25 participants.
    • Each participant will need to provide information needed to complete the NVTC form including name, personal email or work email or phone number. SED may need to contact them about the refresher training.
    • Each participant will need their own device with audio and visual capabilities (they will need a camera and microphone/speaker) as well as internet connection for the whole training.
    • Each participant will need to have the virtual platform on their device, such as Zoom, Goto Meeting, Microsoft Teams, Google Hangouts or other applicable virtual instruction programs. The main purpose being to create an asynchronous learning community while at the same time eliminating the risk of COVID contamination of pupil transportation departments.
    • Each participant will be mandated to have their camera on to ensure the participant is present and engaged.
    • Each refresher session will be taught by a School Bus Driver Instructor and will require another SBDI or managerial/supervisory personnel to monitor the 25 participants to ensure their presence and participation.
    • ONE OF THE FOLLOWING MUST BE USED DURING THE PRESENTATION.
      • A question and answer format may be utilized to elicit feedback in the chat.
      • Polling questions may be used to gauge participant learning effectiveness
      • Breakout rooms can be used to create small group learning opportunities.  All small group activities should have a scribe and a reporter in each room to share with the group at large.
    • All PowerPoint presentations and videos were provided by the State Education Department as part of the approved curriculum for the refresher in the last 2020 PDS manual.
    • You will need to provide the scheduled date and times of refresher trainings for the season you are seeking approval to teach.
    • You will need to provide a link for SED or their designee to virtually pop in to visit and observe the instruction by the School Bus Driver Instructor or Master Instructor.
Last Updated: February 3, 2021