Special-Needs Briefs — 5/5/08

Special-needs student told to crawl under train to board bus MARLIN, Texas — A bus driver for a local school district was fired last mont...

Staff Writer・Editorial

Read Staff's Posts

May 5, 2008

1 min to read

Special-needs student told to crawl under train to board bus
MARLIN, Texas — A bus driver for a local school district was fired last month after he reportedly instructed a special-needs student to crawl under a train that was stalled in front of his house in order to board the bus. To read the full story, click here.

Group protests assault-immunity law
MASSILLON, Ohio — Over 100 people gathered last month to protest a state law that gives immunity to school districts for acts of sexual assault committed on buses and vans. The rally was organized by the mother of a special-needs student who was assaulted while riding a school van. To read the full story, click here.

Special-needs teen suffers beating on bus
INDUSTRY, Pa. — A 16-year-old special-needs student sustained a concussion, chipped teeth and jaw problems after allegedly being beaten by a fellow passenger on a school bus. To read the full story, click here.

Topics:Safety

More Safety

2026 School Bus Fleet Vendor Directory & Buyer's Guide

Searching for the right equipment, technology, or services for your school transportation program? This industry guide brings together manufacturers and suppliers across the entire school bus market, all in one place. Download it to find the partners who can help move your operation forward.

Portrait of Michael C. Hout, Ph.D., assistant dean and psychology professor at New Mexico State University, featured in a Child Safety Network leadership announcement graphic.

Safety•by News/Media Release•March 6, 2026

Child Safety Network Taps Dr. Michael C. Hout to Combat School Bus Stop-Arm Runners

Child Safety Network appointed psychology researcher Michael C. Hout, Ph.D., to lead a study examining why drivers illegally pass stopped school buses.

The 5th-generation Waymo Driver on the all-electric Jaguar I-PACE.

Safety•by Staff•March 5, 2026

NTSB Determines Human Error Led to Waymo’s Illegal School Bus Passing

Investigators reported a remote assistance error allowed a Waymo driverless vehicle to illegally pass a stopped school bus in Austin.

The side of a school bus with a retracted stop signal.

Safety•by Elora Haynes•March 4, 2026

National Action Plan Aims to End Illegal School Bus Passings Across the U.S.

See how a new 50-state roadmap outlines 69 strategies for districts, law enforcement, and policymakers to reduce the 39 million illegal school bus passings reported each year.

A school bus graphic with text reading "Iowa Student Killed, 14 Injured in Oklahoma Bus Crash."

Safety•by Staff•March 3, 2026

11-Year-Old Student Dies After Falling Under School Bus

Recently, an Iowa student died after falling under a school bus, while 14 Oklahoma students were injured days later when a semi-truck rear-ended their bus.

7 Key Criteria for Choosing a School Bus Fleet Technology Partner

Download this white paper for clear guidance on evaluating your organization’s needs and selecting a partner who delivers long-term value.

Graphic of a yellow school bus above the headline “The Real Cost of Downtime,” with icons illustrating overtime costs, frustrated parents and administrators, repair expenses, and route delays, emphasizing the operational and financial impact of communication failures in school transportation fleets.

The Real Cost of Bus Fleet Downtime

When school bus communication systems fail, the consequences extend far beyond equipment repairs. Downtime can increase safety risks, strain dispatch operations, and erode driver confidence. Explore how proactive radio lifecycle management and managed services are reducing disruptions, supporting driver retention, and delivering predictable budgeting for school transportation fleets.

Safety•by News/Media Release•February 25, 2026

School Bus Fleet Magazine