District to train special-ed students to use Metro

WASHINGTON, D.C. — D.C. Public Schools and other city education leaders are identifying special-education students who could be trained to take the Metro to school in an effort to reduce the $26,000-per-student annual cost of transporting them by school bus, The Washington Examiner reports.  

The district spends approximately $92 million to bus 3,500 special-education students to school. Each school bus has an average of 5.5 students per route, and most buses can run only one route each morning and afternoon.

If a student is deemed an appropriate candidate to ride public transit, he or she is led through the route by an aide. Later, the aide or a parent will shadow the student to ensure that he or she travels safely.

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