First Student has announced the statewide rollout of its nationally recognized, proprietary behavioral training and support program, First Serves, to all of its school district partners in California. 

First Serves in California

The program was already implemented in select California districts, where data found a 27% average reduction in behavioral incidents in transportation, underscoring the program's impact in creating safe, inclusive, and supportive environments within their school buses.

Developed in collaboration with experts from top research universities and children's hospitals, First Serves equips school bus drivers, attendants, and transportation leaders with the tools and training to recognize and appropriately respond to student behavior, the company said. 

"We know that students bring their challenges, emotions, and triumphs onto the bus each day," said Will McDermott, head of student services at First Student. "Our one-of-a-kind program brings together seasoned transportation staff, a dedicated advisory board of education and behavioral experts, district leadership, and the families and caregivers who support our students. By expanding First Serves to every one of our California partners, we're taking a major step toward ensuring all students feel seen, supported, and safe on every ride, every day."

The program's success has been recognized nationally and presented at premier educational and special education conferences, including the Council of Administrators of Special Education (CASE), the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), and the Michigan Association of Administrators of Special Education (MAASE).

PBIS Support in Madison

With support from First Serves, First Student also just announced a new partnership with Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) in Wisconsin to integrate Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) framework into its school transportation system. The program aims to create a safer, more positive school bus experience by reinforcing consistent behavior expectations for students throughout their day.

They defined three clear, student-friendly expectations: Safe Body, Kind Heart, Own Your Actions.

PBIS was developed in partnership with national experts and leading children's hospitals to help transportation teams proactively manage student behavior, build stronger relationships with students and families, and contribute to safer driving conditions.

"Our partnership has strengthened how we promote positive expectations for students," said Vanessa Cruz, Assistant Director of Transportation and Logistics at MMSD. "The program equips us with tools and guidance that foster collaboration and create safer rides to and from school. By having a consistent, districtwide system, students experience greater reliability and support, even as they move between schools."