December is National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month, and in order to raise awareness of this growing problem and its consequences, School Training Solutions (STS) is offering a free course:
 

 
Have a safe and happy holiday season!

This week is American Education Week, and it is intended to celebrate public education and honor those who make a difference in ensuring that every child receives a quality education. Remember to thank those individuals that make a difference in your child’s education!

School Training Solutions would also like to take a minute to honor an organization that promotes adult education.

The National Association for Pupil Transportation (NAPT) is a leader in the pupil transportation industry. Since 1999, NAPT has developed courses in areas of orientation, communication, financial management, human resources, operations, leadership, and special education to enhance the skills of pupil transportation professionals. In 2010, NAPT made many of these courses available online so members all over the world can access the training and begin work on various certification tracks. NAPT’s hard work on educational based industry certifications promotes the growth of the pupil transportation industry by encouraging professionalism, safety, and a passion for transporting children.

If you would like to learn more about NAPT or their Certification Program, visit: www.naptonline.org

Well done NAPT!

 
Oklahoma Association for Pupil Transportation Uses Online Courses to Improve Member Skills and Job Performance

The Oklahoma Association for Pupil Transportation (OAPT), a state organization that facilitates quality education to those responsible for pupil transportation, has found School Training Solutions (STS) online bus driver courses to be an integral part of their education process.

OAPT began using the STS online training in 2005 to help its drivers meet professional development goals. These courses have continued to improve driver skills and job performance. With the addition of new recertification courses, OAPT in conjunction with STS, now offers their drivers three different online options. School bus drivers may take courses for certification, in-service, or recertification.

“We had a lot of hesitation at first in taking the instruction out of the hands of the face-to-face instructors,” stated Kim Hamilton, Executive Director of OAPT. “Ultimately we liked the consistency of the program. With the online courses every driver receives the same instruction and the same content.”

Another advantage OAPT has found is the turnover time. “Districts will call trying to find a class for a driver to attend. With the online courses, I can enroll them, and they can start class the next day,” stated Hamilton. This is a big plus, as drivers do not have to be taken away from their jobsite for a week to attend face-to-face training. With the online training participants can complete the course at their own pace and in their own time-frame.

School districts and drivers in Oklahoma are very positive about the online training courses. Many districts are purchasing the online courses to meet their yearly in-service basic skills requirements. According to Hamilton, they have had regular route drivers move up to training positions. These drivers like that the online courses teach the “bookwork.” This allows the instructors to utilize their time for the hands-on, behind-the-wheel training.

“We are in the computer age and more and more drivers are no longer afraid to take online courses. A lot of districts will call and are not sure if their elderly drivers will like it. In the end, they love the online courses and even ask what else they can do online. Drivers don’t have to be apprehensive. This is a very encouraging and user-friendly product,” stated Ms. Hamilton.

School Training Solutions (STS) is an excellent resource for Charter Schools! We can offer online catalogs and courses for school bus driver training, professional development, teachers, administration, food service, campus security, and maintenance and facilities.

STS is currently being used in transportation departments for school bus driver training in all of the following counties:

• Wakulla
• Holmes
• Walton
• Clay
• Marion
• Volusia
• DeSoto
• Manatee
• Monroe
• Okeechobee
• Hendry
• Charlotte
• Pinellas

We are also being used by various school bus charter companies and charter schools in Volusia, Sarasota, Pinellas, Palm Beach, Leon, Manatee, and Franklin counties.

Contact us if we can help add online components to your school bus driver or general employee training programs.