First Student, a provider of school transportation in North America, has introduced its behavioral training and support system, FirstServes, to Seattle. The program has been shown to reduce incidents on school buses by 27%.

A team of FirstServes experts recently trained school bus attendants from Seattle Public Schools, demonstrating skills and techniques for responding to student behavior. The district sought the training to improve the bus-riding experience. FirstServes aims to help districts meet the needs of all students, including those with intellectual, physical, or emotional disabilities.

"We are proud to support Seattle Public Schools and empower their attendants to provide students with a safe, positive ride to school," said First Student Head of Student Services Will McDermott. "FirstServes is proven to reduce behavioral incidents and build confidence for students, transportation staff, caregivers, and schools alike. We look forward to continuing to support educators and transportation staff in Seattle."

Positive Feedback from Seattle Public Schools

After the FirstServes training, trainees in Seattle participated in a survey. All respondents agreed or strongly agreed that they felt more confident in their ability to respond to student behavior. They gained a better understanding of the challenges students face while being transported to and from school.

"Making sure our students are safe is our top priority, and that includes addressing student needs in real time and eliminating both risk and distractions on the bus. That's why this kind of holistic training from FirstServes is important for our drivers and attendants," said Yvonne Carpenter, Seattle Public Schools' transportation field supervisor. "The FirstServes team provided techniques for managing behavior during a route and offered context and explanations for student actions, helping our attendants gain a deeper understanding."

Expansion and Impact of FirstServes

FirstServes was implemented in select school districts across North America during the 2022-23 school year, leading to positive behavioral outcomes. First Student data shows a 27% decrease in behavioral incidents with program implementation compared to the previous school year.

First Student recently announced the expansion of FirstServes, making it available to all school transportation programs, regardless of their school district's transportation contract. The program, developed with top children's hospitals, behavioral psychologists, and education professionals, is designed to empower bus drivers and attendants with the training needed to support students on the bus, respond to behaviors, and de-escalate situations so all children arrive at school ready to learn.