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Transportation Pilot Program ESC of Central Ohio: Data, Results, & Summary

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Transportation Pilot Program ESC of Central Ohio: Data, Results, & Summary
Language: English
Authors: Ohio Department of Education and Workforce
Source: Ohio Department of Education and Workforce. 2025.
Availability: Ohio Department of Education and Workforce. 25 South Front Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215. Tel: 877-644-6338; e-mail: contact.center@education.ohio.gov; Web site: https://education.ohio.gov/
Peer Reviewed: N
Page Count: 10
Publication Date: 2025
Document Type: Reports - Research
Descriptors: Student Transportation, Bus Transportation, School Buses, Pilot Projects, COVID-19, Pandemics, Attendance, Barriers, State Legislation, Cost Effectiveness
Geographic Terms: Ohio
Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic significantly increased already present challenges in staffing pupil transportation departments and school bus drivers across schools and districts. This shortage led to canceled and delayed bus routes, which increased student absenteeism and negatively affected learning outcomes. In response to these challenges, the General Assembly directed the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce to leverage federal COVID relief funds and establish two pilot transportation programs for the 2024-2025 school year. These programs were implemented at the Educational Service Center of Central Ohio (ESCCO) and the Montgomery County Educational Service Center (MCESC). The objective of the pilot programs was to explore solutions that could assist stakeholders in addressing pupil transportation obstacles. House Bill 96 extended MCESC's Transportation Pilot Program through Fiscal Years 2026 and 2027, postponing the final report for MCESC until Sept. 15, 2027. Consequently, this report focuses on evaluating the ESCCO Transportation Pilot Program. The pilot programs required the educational service centers to identify students facing transportation issues as reported by their resident districts and to arrange suitable transportation for these students. The programs also mandated the use of state-approved vehicles and ensured compliance with transportation requirements for students with disabilities. Data and insights from the first of these two pilot programs were collected and analyzed to evaluate their effectiveness. The findings reported below from the ESCCO pilot program are intended to inform future strategies and potentially guide the development of comprehensive solutions to address ongoing pupil transportation issues.
Abstractor: ERIC
Entry Date: 2025
Accession Number: ED676915
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:The COVID-19 pandemic significantly increased already present challenges in staffing pupil transportation departments and school bus drivers across schools and districts. This shortage led to canceled and delayed bus routes, which increased student absenteeism and negatively affected learning outcomes. In response to these challenges, the General Assembly directed the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce to leverage federal COVID relief funds and establish two pilot transportation programs for the 2024-2025 school year. These programs were implemented at the Educational Service Center of Central Ohio (ESCCO) and the Montgomery County Educational Service Center (MCESC). The objective of the pilot programs was to explore solutions that could assist stakeholders in addressing pupil transportation obstacles. House Bill 96 extended MCESC's Transportation Pilot Program through Fiscal Years 2026 and 2027, postponing the final report for MCESC until Sept. 15, 2027. Consequently, this report focuses on evaluating the ESCCO Transportation Pilot Program. The pilot programs required the educational service centers to identify students facing transportation issues as reported by their resident districts and to arrange suitable transportation for these students. The programs also mandated the use of state-approved vehicles and ensured compliance with transportation requirements for students with disabilities. Data and insights from the first of these two pilot programs were collected and analyzed to evaluate their effectiveness. The findings reported below from the ESCCO pilot program are intended to inform future strategies and potentially guide the development of comprehensive solutions to address ongoing pupil transportation issues.