We have added a note to the “Special Factors…” section of the IEP database to clarify the documentation that is required when a student needs special transportation. One of the questions in the special factors asks, “Is the need for daily special transportation documented in the Evaluation Summary?” If a student requires special transportation, the answer to this question should be yes. However, this does not mean that “Special Transportation” should be listed as a need in the ESER Needs and Recommendations. We’ve seen quite a few ESERs come in that way this year.
Rather than listing transportation as a need, the ESER should document the reason that the student requires special transportation (communication skills, behavior, mobility, etc.). Those reasons can either be documented in the Needs and Recommendations section of the ESER, or within the content of the ESER’s individual reports. Keep in mind that special transportation is a service provided by the district to meet student needs, it is not a need in itself.
