The National Association for Pupil Transportation (NAPT) is set to launch a new addition to its professional certification program at the 2009 NAPT Summit in Louisville, Ky., later this month.

The program encourages individuals involved in school transportation to enhance their knowledge about transporting students with disabilities. The 32-hour special needs training curriculum has six core learning experiences, including a school bus roadeo and a school transportation trade show, rounded out by eight hours of instruction from the NAPT professional development series.

Each program participant will be required to have a mentor or faculty advisor, who will be approved by NAPT and dedicated to assisting the participant throughout the learning experience. Program participants are encouraged to meet at least twice each year with their mentors, either in person or online.

Instructors for the courses at the NAPT Summit include Linda Bluth, Charley Kennington, Alexandra Robinson, Launi Schmutz and Cheryl Wolf.

The courses will also be available other industry events, including state association meetings, the EduPro National Conference and Exhibition on Transporting Students with Disabilities and Preschoolers (March 5-10, 2010), and through the Pupil Transportation Safety Institute.

For curriculum information, click here.