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Implementation Challenges with Student Transportation Policies in Three School-Choice Rich Districts

Speaker:
Carolyn Sattin-Bajaj, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Gevirtz Graduate School of Education
University of California, Santa Barbara

Despite a growing recognition of the significance of student transportation provision for promoting equitable school choice, to date, there has been limited understanding of the implementation of school transportation policies, particularly in choice-heavy settings. Moreover, little is known about the challenges associated with managing student transportation in large school districts or how school- and district administrators working in distinct contexts respond to these challenges. In this talk, I present findings from interviews conducted with school district administrators, charter school leaders, charter authorizers, and other key stakeholders in three choice-rich school districts with distinct transportation policies and public transit infrastructures—Detroit, New Orleans, and New York City—to explore implementation of student transportation policies, examine the challenges they face vis a vis student transportation, and analyze their responses to these challenges in diverse settings. I present qualitative evidence of diverse educational actors' experiences managing student transportation and highlight efforts and opportunities to improve efficiency and equity in student transportation through improved policy and practices.

Apr 20, 2021 12:00 PM in Central Time (US and Canada)