More than 20 million students ride the bus to school each day, but many bus drivers have never received training on how to respond to an active threat. That's where S.T.A.R.T. (School Transportation Active-Threat Response Training) steps in.

S.T.A.R.T. is launching a national back-to-school effort to equip drivers and transportation teams with the training they need to recognize, prevent, and respond to active threats before police arrive.

This training goes outside of a classroom or building environment and emphasizes that buses are rolling classrooms and deserve the same attention when it comes to active threat prevention and response. S.T.A.R.T.'s hands-on, scenario-based training equips drivers and transportation staff with the skills to recognize abnormal behavior, identify potential threats, and respond decisively in the critical moments before law enforcement arrives.

"School buses are often the first and last point of contact for students each day," said Jim Levine, CEO of S.T.A.R.T. "The bus driver, in essence, is the first responder. Our training ensures drivers and transportation teams are prepared to protect students and themselves, providing parents and school administrators with peace of mind."

S.T.A.R.T. helps school districts meet driver professional development requirements while reinforcing their duty to protect students from the moment they step on the bus until the moment they return home. Training can be scheduled year-round to accommodate bus driver availability, funding cycles, and staff schedules. Law enforcement partners are also encouraged to participate, reinforcing a coordinated community response to protecting students from active threats.