Services:
Special Transportation

Special transportation is to be considered only when the need for a different vehicle, equipment, procedure and/or staff is required for a student to benefit from their educational program. It is considered a related service - due to the student's disability, special transportation is required in order for a FAPE. The majority of students with an IEP can access and use regular transportation offered to all students in the school district. Special transportation is an IEP team decision that must be considered annually at the IEP team meeting. It is made based on individual student needs. Reminder: regardless of special education transportation need, BCCS only transports within the BCCS boundaries and the Northwest Suburban magnet areas.

• Situations that often require special transportation on an IEP include:

  • Health/Medical Condition: A health/medical condition exists that involves the safety of the student and/or others. This may include students who experience seizures, fatigue, require assistive devices needed to maintain a sitting position, communication issues (hard of hearing, nonverbal) or assistance walking up and down stairs. 

  • Social Behavior: The student's conduct requires a different mode of transportation. This should be uncommon and would require documentation to show that interventions have been tried but have proven unsuccessful. 

  • Accessibility: The regular bus is not accessible for the student. An example would be if a wheelchair accessible bus is needed. 

  • Early Childhood Special Education: Available to all ECSE students with an IEP, if there is not a regular bus already routed to get the student to and from their ECSE program.  

  • Special Placement: The student is attending a special program to receive the services outlined in their IEP. This would include students attending a 287 site-based program.

A student need for special transportation must be documented on the IEP. There is a box for this on the Services page (see scrrenshot below). This could be done via the annual IEP or via an IEP amendment. There are drop downs provided to help you. Remember, there must be a documented student need that necessitates this service. The write up in this box should include both the reason and the supports needed. Information about transfer needs (hand to hand, eye to eye, etc.) is important to include as well. 

Note: A student on an IEP with special transportation should have 03: Disabled chosen for the MARSS transportation code! This does not print, but is important for reporting and ensuring services are in place. 

Prior to proposing special transportation to a family or adding special transportation onto a student's IEP, the case manager should consult with the building/site Special Services Supervisor.

The prior written notice for the annual or amended IEP should reference special transportation as part of the district's proposal. When adding this service, consent must be received or implied consent in place if not an initial before the service can be put in place. 

The Special Services Supervisor will submit the transportation request when approved and family has given permission. It can take up to 5 business days for the transportation department to route a new request.