Regulation of Private School Buses in Virginia
Regulation of Private School Buses in Virginia

Author: Jessica A. Ginsburg

Publisher:

Published: 1987

Total Pages: 32

ISBN-13:

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In response to major accidents in Florida and Alabama involving privately-owned and privately-operated school buses, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued three safety recommendations to the governors of all states and required each state to respond regarding its efforts to comply with these recommendations. This report constitutes Virginia's response to the NTSB. The NTSB's recommendations require states and localities to take an active role in licensing and training the drivers of these private vehicles. Although all states comprehensively regulate public school vehicles and drivers, the NTSB observed that privatelyowned vehicles used by nonpublic schools as well as churches, clubs, and other activity groups tend to be excluded from the regulatory scheme. This report analyzes the statutory and regulatory scheme for school buses in Virginia, assesses Virginia's compliance with the NTSB's recommendations, and identifies areas that require legislative action. It presents data on the ownership of school buses and other vehicles by nonpublic schools in Virginia. It also examines the extent to which these schools comply with the applicable statutory requirements. The report then analyzes the data on the involvement of school buses and other vehicle types in traffic accidents to determine the extent of the school bus crash problem in Virginia. Finally, the report proposes changes in the Code of Virginia and in agencies' regulatory responsibilities that would enhance Virginia's compliance with the NTSB's recommendations for private school bus safety.

A Status Report to the Superintendent of Public Instruction on a Study of Optimal School Bus Speed Limits on Virginia Highways
A Status Report to the Superintendent of Public Instruction on a Study of Optimal School Bus Speed Limits on Virginia Highways

Author:

Publisher:

Published: 1988

Total Pages: 54

ISBN-13:

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The study was prompted by the fact that on Virginia's rural interstate highways there is a three-tiered speed limit: 45 mph for school buses, 55 mph for other buses and trucks, and 65 mph for passenger vehicles. On the urban interstate system, school buses are restricted to 45 mph, but other traffic has a 55 mph speed limit. Further, the speed limit for school buses on roads other than interstate highways is 35 mph or the minimum speed limit, whichever is greater, or 45 mph if the school bus neither loads nor discharges passengers between the points of origin and destination. The study will examine the safety characteristics of the current multi-tiered speed limits and how these characteristics relate to the operation of school buses. A survey of other states revealed that 17 states other than Virginia had statutes creating speed limits for school buses lower than those for other vehicles. Generally, these states restricted the speeds of school buses to 55 mph. Three other states have administrative regulations that restrict school buses to 55 mph. However, 19 states have no special laws or regulations governing school bus speed limits. Data acquisition is still in progress for the remaining states. Research is continuing on this project, and a final report on the subject is scheduled to be completed in September 1989.

The Regulation of Private Schools in America
The Regulation of Private Schools in America

Author:

Publisher: Department of Education

Published: 1995

Total Pages: 232

ISBN-13:

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Today, a parent's right to choose a private education for his or her children is reflected in the statutes of all 50 states. State regulation of private schools, however, is not without limitations. The challenge to state legislators in regulating private schools is to draft legislation that: (1) respects the fundamental right of parents to direct the education of their children; (2) protects the states' interest in an informed citizenry but avoids interference with religious beliefs unless compelling interests are at issue; and (3) avoids comprehensive regulation of private education that would deprive parents of any choice in education. This handbook presents findings of a study, initiated by the Office of Nonpublic Education, U.S. Department of Education, that conducted a state-by-state analysis of state laws regulating private education. The study, which includes all 50 states, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia, identified the following general areas of regulation advanced by state legislators: recordkeeping and reports, licensing/registration/accreditation, health and safety, curriculum, and public funding. The data show that none of the states regulates private schools in the same way. The report contains comparison charts depicting state oversight of private schools, state-mandated educational requirements, and public assistance to private schools and private school children. (LMI)