Education and Early Childhood Learning

Who Should Attend?

A current school bus driver or manager who meets the prerequisites and is interested in developing school bus driver instructor skills. Successful completion of all Phase 1 session and assignments will ensure eligibility for Phase 2.

Objectives

Participants will learn the skills related to the selection of instructional techniques in an adult learning environment. Application of these adult teaching skills will allow a more effective delivery of content for the school bus driver-training program. In addition, development of lesson plans; how to work in a group setting and effectively use the School Bus Driver Instructor Manual as resource.

Content

Using effective teaching techniques; determining training program requirements, lesson plan preparation; developing mini lessons to teach various topics; using class participation as teaching tool. Provided in-class instruction for mobility and passenger securement for students with disabilities transported on school buses. Additional resources will be provided for Phase 2 preparation.

Who Should Attend?

To be eligible to attend Phase 2 participants must have successfully completed Phase 1.

Objectives

To further, develop the participant's teaching skills for clear and concise communication. This Phase covers an intensive on-hands training in regards to the school bus safety features, pre-trip inspection and behind-the-wheel training. The participant will learn proper evaluating and examining techniques for new and current school bus drivers. Be provided a School Bus Driver Instructor written exam at the end of course to receive certification.

Content

• Speaking in front of a group; presenting a lesson plan; effective use of Power Point presentations and-visual aids.
• Hands-on training in proper mobility and passenger securement.
• Using the School Bus Driver's Instructor and Behind-the-Wheel training manuals as a guide, in the areas of pre-trip inspection; communicating instructions to a driving trainee; evaluating driving skills; conducting in-vehicle driver examinations; explaining driving errors and evaluating effectiveness of training with other participants.

Participants who attend and successfully complete all phases of the course and score at least 80% on the School Bus Driver's Instructor exam and traffic sign test will become a certified School Bus Driver Instructor. Manitoba Education and Early Childhood Learning will issue a certificate of completion.

Definitions

• Participant Instructor (not certified); a person who successfully completes Phase 1 of the School Bus Driver Instructor Course is recognized as a Participant Instructor who is able to provide only the in-class training (including pre-trip inspection) portion of the program.
• Certified Instructor; a person who has successfully completed all phases and testing of the School Bus Driver Instructor Course provided by Manitoba Education and Early Childhood Learning Pupil Transportation Unit.

This certification authorizes the School Bus Driver Instructor (SBDI) to provide:

• the minimum 24 hours of instruction to school bus driver trainees [ as per Manitoba Regulation 465/88R, Section 18(1)(a) ]
• behind-the-wheel training and evaluation of new or existing school bus drivers
• verification that new drivers meet all MPI and Manitoba Education and Early Childhood Learning requirements to obtain a School Bus Operators Certificate (SBOC)
• the minimum eight hours of in-service training for current school bus drivers [ as per Manitoba Regulation 465/88R, Section 18(1)(b) ].
• school bus ridership training for students- referred to in Manitoba Regulation 465/88R, Section 17 ].

Certified School Bus Driver Instructor

The certified SBDI is authorized to provide school bus driver instruction consisting of classroom, behind-the-wheel training and driver evaluations (testing). This may also include instruction to assist trainees as they prepare for MPI's Class 2 written knowledge test (KT) and the school bus KT. Once the trainee has successfully passed the written tests and medical requirements of MPI, they are issued an Authorized Instruction Licence. Also known as 2A. This licence allows the trainee to proceed with the on-road training* with a qualified supervisor driver to gain experience and preparation for the road test with MPI.

Upon the trainee's successful completion of MPI's licencing requirements and successful completion of the minimum 24 hours of training as per regulation, the SBDI along with the Transportation Supervisor will complete, sign, and forward a School Bus Driver Endorsement Form to PTU whereupon a School Bus Operator's Certificate is issued. IMPORTANT: The school division's transportation supervisor must also sign this endorsement form. (References to "school division" include school districts and Education Authorities.) It is important that all documentation relating to a school bus driver's endorsement be kept in the driver's file.

Occasionally, trainees may currently hold a valid Class 1F or Class 2F driver's license. Meaning they have met all the MPI licencing requirements. Therefore, the trainee does not need to go through MPI for any testing. However, in order to meet Manitoba Education's requirements to operate a school bus, the following will apply:

• trainees are still required to complete a minimum 24 hours of school bus driver instruction (classroom and behind-the-wheel),
• be administered a school bus written knowledge test developed by the SBDI and/or the school division,
• evaluated on performing a pre-trip inspection and road test.

In the instance where the training and evaluation is done "in-house", without MPI testing, two certified SBDI's (or one SBDI and a qualified transportation supervisor) are required to endorse the new school bus driver. One SBDI would perform the instruction and behind-the-wheel training, and the second person would perform the evaluation (road test). Once all requirements are satisfied, the SBDI and the transportation supervisor will complete, sign, and forward a School Bus Driver Endorsement Form to PTU along with the consent form whereupon a School Bus Operator's Certificate is issued. It is important that all documentation relating to a school bus driver's endorsement be kept in the driver's file.

Participant Instructor (Not Certified)

It should be noted that Participant Instructors who have completed Phase 1 of the School Bus Driver Instructor Course do not have the authority to perform behind-the-wheel training or evaluate trainees (perform road tests) nor recommend school bus driver trainees for endorsement of a certificate from PTU. Participant Instructors do have the authority, however, to provide the in-class instruction, eight hours of annual in servicing, and school bus ridership training in the schools.

MPI’s Driver Instructor Permit

While the School Bus Driver Instructor Course is primarily intended for school division employees to train within their home school division, a certified SBDI is also authorized to train in conjunction with, or for, neighboring or other school divisions. MPI recognizes that SBDI's currently employed by school divisions do not conduct training for financial compensation but rather as a duty assigned to them, and therefore, are not required to hold MPI's Driver Instructor Permit. However, a SBDI who operates their own business or contracts to train, for profit, school bus drivers outside the school division setting, are required by MPI to hold this Permit. More information on obtaining this Permit can be obtained by contacting: