Study Purpose. The purpose of this evaluation was to learn how the variety of transportation options employed in eight areas of the state met the objectives of the ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇▇ Act and could be best utilized by school districts around the country. It was designed to assemble information from the providers and users of transportation services about mode, cost, preferences, and usefulness for different age groups and in different geographic settings. In addition, the study addressed an underlying assumption of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇- ▇▇▇▇▇—that remaining in a homeless student’s school of origin is an important stabilizing influence that will result in higher academic performance than homeless students who are forced to move from their school of origin. The study collected data from school districts and also spoke directly with homeless students, their parents, and school administrators to gain their perspectives about the pilot programs. In short, the study tried to answer four basic questions about the homeless student transportation pilot programs: • What modes of transportation were used? By what age groups? In what geographic settings? • What was the cost of each mode of transit? • What modes of transportation were preferred? By students? By parents? By transportation coordinators and homeless liaisons? Why? • Did staying in the school of origin affect students’ academic performance? In order to answer these questions, the evaluation team reviewed previous research in the field, interviewed users and implementers of homeless student transportation, and gathered relevant data from the participating school districts. realize significant savings and receive special programs that might otherwise be unavailable to them. Washington's ESDs are similar to regional support systems in other states.
Appears in 2 contracts