Following the presidential elections in the US, new policies regarding terminating Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies have resulted in concerns across the country. While this has significant implications for corporations in the country, the impact of these policies extends into the world of student transportation.
Let’s take a telescopic view of how DEI policies can potentially change the landscape of student transportation.
What is DEI?
DEI policies allow people from different ages, genders, ethnic groups, religions, and sexualities to work together in an inclusive environment. These policies allow different people to bring fresh perspectives that benefit organizations while making the workplace more welcoming for all.
Hiring Challenges
There has been a clear shortage of school bus drivers over the last few years, and with DEI going away, that problem may get worse.
DEI also includes women. With 53.5% of school bus drivers being women, this means that there may be a lot more challenges. Here are some important considerations:
- Wage Disparity: Female bus drivers make an average of $2,314 lower than their male counterparts. Without DEI policies, this wage disparity is likely to increase, leading to lesser satisfaction.
- Lesser Support: If women feel discriminated against at the workplace, it may be more challenging for districts to hire and retain drivers.
Training Challenges
Special needs students need special accommodations. Policy changes may mean that training sessions for diverse needs may go away due to budget cuts.
While the ADA ensures that buses will still have ramps, the lack of DEI might lead to more discrimination against such students. The culture might shift from one of inclusivity and warmth to special needs students feeling merely “accommodated”.
Drivers and other staff members may not receive the appropriate training to ensure that students with special needs have the appropriate accommodations.
Impact on Students
Barring the challenges highlighted above, new accessibility features may not be implemented right away. The good thing is that DEI is unlikely to have a direct effect on students:
- Federal Laws: Basic accessibility measures will be protected by the American Disabilities Act (ADA), IDEA, and section 504, meaning that wheelchair lifts and other such tools cannot be removed from school buses.
- Individualized Education Programs (IEPs): Schools are legally required to continue providing accommodations outlined in IEPs.
The removal of DEI policies may result in lesser funding for students with disabilities, but they will still have basic protections.
The Big Picture
While it’s difficult to see any immediate effects of DEI policy changes on student transportation, districts should keep a close watch on how things develop. It’s important to have the right processes in place and control the things you can. Get in touch with us to learn how we can help you streamline operations at your school district.
