Transportation
In Massachusetts, you have rights to transporting your child to and from school. The IEP team will determine whether transportation is needed because of their disability, and whether the child needs transportation to benefit from their special education services. The IEP team at your school will determine the type of transportation provided to your child and note it in the student's IEP.
Regular vs. Special Transportation:
If the team determines the student doesn't need special transportation due to their disability, transportation will be provided in the same way as students without disabilities. The IEP will say that the student will receive regular transportation like other other students without disabilities.
If the team determines special transportation is needed, then the IEP team will dictate that the student should be given a "related service" in transportation. The team determines modifications, special equipment, assistance, need for an individual attendant/monitor, and other special precautions for the student's transportation. This is all included in the student's IEP. The district will provide all of these services, and if the district can't provide this with their current vehicles, they are required to provide special arrangements.
If a child is granted special transportation on the students IEP, that student is required to receive these services to any program provided by the school in which the student participates in. Additionally, if a parent provides transportation to a student who is given special transportation services, then the district will reimburse them the rate per mile for state employee.
BPS Policy: Boston Public Schools is legally required to provide transportation services to students with a disability as outlined in the student's IEP. BPS states that transportation services for students with the appropriate accommodations include: door to door services, a bus monitor/nurse, safety restraints, wheelchair accommodations, and more. For door to door services, students are required to be at the accessible pick-up point 10 minutes early, and the pick-up location will be the closest accessible point to the bus.
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