ALBANY, N.Y. — The National Association for Pupil Transportation (NAPT) has posted an updated agenda for the 2010 NAPT Summit — to be held Oct. 30 to Nov. 4 in Portland, Ore. — on its Website.

The event will feature Professional Development Series courses on such topics as student transportation orientation, accident investigation, strategic planning for transportation departments, transportation system infrastructure, labor contract negotiations and management, and school transportation security assessment.

Moreover, many keynote presentations will be given. American School Bus Council representatives will discuss the council’s Yellow School Bus Champions program, which enables pupil transporters to showcase school bus safety and promote driver appreciation.

Kevin Jennings, assistant secretary of education and director of the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Safe & Drug-Free Schools, will speak about the importance of eliminating bullying and harassment because it detracts from a student’s ability to learn. 

In a third keynote presentation, Dr. Alexa Posny, secretary for special education and rehabilitative services for the U.S. Department of Education, will explain how the office supports programs that offer assistance to infants, toddlers and children with disabilities as well as members of the education community who serve these individuals, particularly those involved in transportation.

The conference’s workshops will cover special-needs transportation, distracted driving prevention, loading and unloading students from buses, creative in-service training, budget cut prevention, putting a stop to illegal bus passing and mentoring new drivers.

The event will also include a two-day trade show with more than 120 exhibitors.