Report Examines Traditional School Transportation Models

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A new report from an education advisory firm evaluates traditional models of school transportation and makes recommendations that it says could increase efficiency.

The report, titled “Miles to Go: Bringing School Transportation into the 21st Century,” was released on Tuesday by Bellwether Education Partners. The nonpartisan nonprofit also held an event with the same title in Washington on Tuesday. (An archived video of the event is available here.)

In the report, Bellwether examines the structure of school transportation systems, related regulations, funding mechanisms, student safety, the impact of school choice, the need for data, and environmental effects.

The firm offers recommendations in three areas that target efficiency in district-provided transportation:

• Investments in data collection and technology systems.
• Changes to state funding structures to incentivize efficiency.
• Increased policy flexibility to allow districts to be more responsive to local needs.

Beyond those recommendations, Bellwether also questions “whether it makes sense for school districts to continue as the central administrators of school transportation services, particularly in larger metropolitan areas.”

To access the Bellwether report, go here.