This is a study designed to determine whether the 1988-89 method of distributing state pupil transportation funds in Virginia met generally accepted standards of quality for such distribution methods, and whether the method of distributing pupil transportation funds served to enhance fiscal equalization in Virginia by properly taking into account cost factors that vary among the Commonwealth1s local school districts? Relevant literature was examined to identify generally accepted standards of quality for pupil transportation funding formulae and to identify cost factors that are generally accepted as exerting an influence on the costs of operating a local pupil transportation program. Second, information and data were gathered to provide measurements of generally accepted evaluative criteria and generally accepted cost factors that had previously been identified. It was concluded that the Virginia pupil transportation funding formula, as proposed by the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission and adopted by the General Assembly, meets generally accepted standards for efficiency, objectivity, and reliability, but fails to meet standards for simplicity and equity. It was also concluded that the Virginia pupil transportation funding formula does not enhance fiscal equalization through proper consideration of cost factors that vary among local school districts in Virginia. Five recommendations were offered. First, the current Matrix System method of recognizing costs for purposes of state pupil transportation fund distribution should be replaced by one of three formulae developed through the study, all three of which are substantially more accurate than the Matrix System in approximating existing costs. Second, an effort should be made to provide a comprehensive but understandable description of the method of state pupil transportation fund distribution in Virginia. Third, the methods used in the body of the study should be duplicated by a state agency with ready access to accurate and current data pertaining to pupil transportation costs and cost factors in Virginia. Fourth, the Pupil Transportation Division of the Virginia Department of Education should be more directly involved in the administration of state pupil transportation funds. And fifth, the practice of basing current pupil transportation fund distribution on data more than one year old should be discontinued. / Ed. D.

The problem of this study is to determine the efficiency of the transportation systems of eight Class B schools of Wise County, Texas.

The problem of this thesis is to determine the progress made by a group of bus and town pupils in the second grade and should indicate whether or not riding the school bus is detrimental to the academic achievement, behavior development, and personality development of the individual.

The problem of this study is to determine the adequacy of the Gilmer-Aikin Law and the Flathman Formula in determining the cost of pupil transportation in Texas.

The purpose of this study was (1) to examine the pupil transportation program in North Carolina relative to those used in the fifty states, (2) to examine variations in pupil transportation costs among North Carolina’s school districts, (3) to identify factors related to variations in per pupil transportation costs and (4) to compare North Carolina’s present pupil transportation funding method with an alternative cost effective method using widely recognized principles of pupil transportation finance. The research design for this study was implemented in four phases. First, pupil transportation information was collected from all states in order to review the current state pupil transportation programs. Second, pupil transportation literature was reviewed to identify cost factors, fiscal models and evaluative criteria. Third, pupil transportation data for the 1990-91 school year were collected from all school districts in North Carolina and analyzed. The best predictor(s) of cost was determined by using appropriate statistical analysis (such as correlation, stepwise multiple regression analysis and scattergrams) to examine the relationship between per pupil transportation costs (dependent variable) and various independent variables that contribute to variations in cost. The best predictor of cost was used in an alternate funding formula. Finally, computer simulation was used to analyze the fiscal implications of the alternate formula on the school districts and the state. Based on the results of this study, three recommendations were offered. First, North Carolina should adopt a cost effective pupil transportation funding model using linear density as the primary determinant of funding. Second, North Carolina should conduct a study that would explore the potential savings that could be generated by school districts cooperating in the delivery of pupil transportation. Third, North Carolina should adopt the alternate equation (regression equation utilizing linear density as the cost predictor) for use in distributing pupil transportation funds. / Ph. D.

The effect of selected driver and instructional variables on attitude change of school bus drivers was examined. A total of 113 male and 69 female in-service Texas school bus drivers participated. The course of instruction, totaling 20 classroom hours, consisted of 11 units related to driving efficiency. Driver attitude was measured by a multiple-choice check list, administered prior to and following the course of instruction. A significant positive change occurred in those variables related to driver age, educational attainment, and number of classroom participants. Those variables involving course participation status and sex difference resulted in no significant positive attitude change. These findings may prove helpful in designing training programs for school bus drivers.

published_or_final_version / abstract / toc / Transport Policy and Planning / Master / Master of Arts in Transport Policy and Planning

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of video monitoring devices (VMDs) in reducing incidents of student misbehavior on middle school buses. It was hypothesized that the presence of VMDs would decrease the frequency of behavioral problems encountered by school bus drivers, decrease the number of discipline referrals issued by the drivers, and improve the drivers’ perception of student behavior. The study utilized an experimental design with random assignment of drivers to treatment and control groups. These groups were formed from a population of 282 drivers who serve ten middle schools for Virginia Beach City Public Schools. In the summer of 1993, through a randomization procedure, VMDs were installed on 100 school buses to form the treatment group. The remaining 182 school buses did not receive installation and were designated as the control group. All drivers maintained a daily log of the number of discipline problems encountered on their routes for three 15-day intervals. Statistical analysis revealed a significantly lower number of problems in the treatment group. Secondary analysis indicated that the use of VMDs was ineffective on morning routes but effective on afternoon routes. Also, there was a significantly lower number of discipline problems in the treatment group regardless of the day of the week. As the drivers established rapport and control, both groups experienced a decline in the number of discipline problems throughout the experiment. The treatment group, however, recorded a significantly lower number of problems during each of the three 15-day intervals. This indicates that the students did not become desensitized to the presence of the VMD’s over the five-month experiment. At the conclusion of the study, drivers in the treatment group rated the behavior of their students more highly than the rating of students by drivers in the control group. A tally of the number of discipline referrals issued by the drivers revealed that the members of the treatment group experienced fewer severe disciplinary problems. Finally, multiple regression indicated that of all independent variables, group membership is the best predictor of a number of behavioral problems, discipline referrals issued, and driver perception of student behavior. / Ed. D.

This thesis describes, classifies, analyzes and evaluates the rhetoric of resistance to forced busing to desegregate the Dallas Independent School District during the 1975-1976 school year. This thesis also applies the characteristics of social, protest and agitational movements to the antibusing movement in Dallas to determine the effectiveness of the resistance rhetoric. The findings of this case study demonstrate that, although the Dallas protesters did not achieve all of their goals, their resistance rhetoric did accomplish specific, effective results. However, this thesis also concludes that, in the American system of government, neither violent nor non-violent resistance can prevent implementation of court-ordered busing.

The role transport plays in enabling people access to services is very important. However, transport for school going children in rural areas has not been given much attention. Transport programmes aimed at improving access to schools by rural children cannot be successful in their formation and implementation without the full participation of parents. Therefore, the objectives of the study were to learn about the factors influencing caregivers' choices of the modes of transport for their school going children and to establish how caregivers view the importance of transport for their school going children, particularly in rural areas. One hundred and twenty six respondents were interviewed in this study. Two focus group interviews were conducted with teachers from eZinyonyana Primary and Mthende High Schools. It transpired that the majority of children walk to school. Most parents are aware of the problems associated with walking. However, the majority of them did not believe that walking could impact on their children's performance at school. This belief, though, differed with parents who perceive themselves too distant from school, hence believing that walking can affect their children's performance at school. Also, the majority of caregivers from communities furthest from schools believed that the availability of transport could improve their children's performance at school. They expected the government to provide transport for learners as most of them felt that even if transport can be made available, they could not still afford it since they are not employed. Although aware of the dangers associated with walking, some parents did not feel they could accompany their children school. This task was entirely left with the older children who are supposed to look after the younger ones on their way to and from school. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2005.