Transportation is required to be provided as a related service if it is required to assist a child with a disability to benefit from special education. The service must be provided to meet the criteria for a free, appropriate public education (FAPE) as defined in federal regulation 34 CFR Section 300.17.

 

"Every individual with exceptional needs who is eligible to receive special education instruction and related services under this part shall receive that instruction and those services at no cost to his or her parents or, as appropriate, to him or her." EDC 56040(a)

 

Transportation decisions generally require collaboration and consensus among parents, the student (as appropriate), educators, and transportation personnel. Most transportation issues are identified and resolved through the individualized education program (IEP) process.

 

 

Related Services	Transportation and other developmental, corrective, and supportive services required to assist a student with a disability to benefit from special education are defined as related services.
Home-to-School Special Education Transportation	The transport of students between their home and the regular full-time day school they attend, as provided by the LEA/District or county superintendent of LEA/District.
School-to-School Special Education Transportation	The transport of students with disabilities from their school of residence, or a pick-up location within the vicinity of the school of residence, to their school of attendance.
Curb-to-Curb	Student is picked up and dropped off at a predetermined street location.
Door-to-Door	The LEA/District will provide transportation to and from the street location closest to the student’s doorstep.
School of Attendance	The day school that a student attends.
School of Residence	The school, the student, would attend near their home address or childcare address if a childcare permit were in effect.
Nonresident School	Any school that is not the student’s school of residence.
Assistant	Any adult who assists in the transportation of students, it may be a paraeducator, bus aide, or one on one aide for medical or behavioral purposes.

 

 

The Transportation Guidelines are organized into sections, accessible through the menu on the left or at the bottom of the page on mobile devices. This menu stays available throughout the guide to help you move between topics with ease.