01047195

Component

https://doi.org/10.3141/2009-13

http://scholar.google.com...lett&publication_year=2007

School districts spend approximately $17 billion annually on pupil transportation. More than half of all students in the United States are eligible for transportation at public expense. Despite this major financial investment and the large number of daily student trips, relatively little scholarly material is written on funding for pupil transportation. This article provides research background on pupil transportation funding, establishes a comprehensive framework of analysis for evaluating methods of state funding, and presents case studies of six states to highlight institutional differences. The key questions about state pupil transportation policy are (a) whether pupil transportation is mandated by the state, (b) what the eligibility requirements are for state aid, and (c) what formula is used for reimbursement. Funding for pupil transportation varies greatly among states, with differences that include student eligibility for transportation, funding formulas, and state aid as a percentage of transportation costs. The primary method of pupil transportation funding consists of state reimbursement for a portion of a school district’s expenditures. The remaining costs must then be covered by local funding sources. Unlike some other areas of school finance, pupil transportation programs receive little funding from the federal government. The research also identifies safety, school siting, and walking to school as areas in which pupil transportation policies have important impacts.

01083135

English

pp 98-103

2007

Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board

9780309104357

Print

References (40) ; Tables (1)

Case studies; Financing; Government funding; School buses; School children; School trips; State aid; State laws; Transportation policy; Walking

Eligibility; Pupil transportation; Reimbursement; School districts

Economics; Finance; Highways; Pedestrians and Bicyclists; Policy; Public Transportation; Society; I10: Economics and Administration

TRIS, TRB, ATRI

Feb 8 2007 7:00PM

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