ALBANY, N.Y. — The National Association for Pupil Transportation (NAPT) has released another Professional Development Series (PDS) course online.

Pupil transporters can sign up for PDS 405 “Student Needs & Management” here.

Once there, select whether you are an NAPT member or a non-member and add the course to your shopping cart. (NAPT is offering the course for $40 for members and $100 for non-members.) You will then be taken to an external website for payment processing.

Make sure to enter the e-mail address where you’d like to receive your log-in information. Creating your account may take up to 24 hours, according to NAPT.

“Student Needs & Management” looks at student behavior issues from the management perspective. A brief review of “normal” student characteristics and behavior management strategies is followed by an in-depth look at preparing drivers and attendants for student management, working within the school district structure, developing district policy, procedures and forms, and understanding the nuances of working with students with disabilities and children from other cultures.

These other NAPT PDS courses are currently available on the association’s website: 

PDS 201 — Business Writing
PDS 202 — Presentation Skills
PDS 203 — Communications Skills for Transportation Professionals
PDS 204 — Team Communication Strategies
PDS 205 — Managing the Media
PDS 208 — Parent, Administrator, Board and Public Outreach
PDS 402 — Managing Human Resources
PDS 601 — School Bus Routing & Scheduling I
PDS 602 — School Bus Routing & Scheduling II
PDS 606 — Risk Management and Emergency Planning