Action Research

By Cassandra Richardson

Topic and Organizational OutcomeWhat is the Parent Teacher Association(PTA)leadership role

in Seminole Counties public school bus stop compliance evaluation?

This research will enable the PTA to create an urgency for Seminole County Public School transportation division to establish a defined outline of school bus stop evaluation and compliance, in addition to, structured guidelines according to safety provisions for children at bus stops on Wymore Road, Altamonte Springs, Fl.

Why is this significant to the organization and myself?

This research will be significant because it will enable the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) to take a proactive approach in ensuring the safety of children within our community, as well as, being an organization that is known for advocating preventative awareness in hazardous areas, and advocating issues outside of the “status quo” for the PTA .

This will be significant for me because it will give me the opportunity to change the perspective of leadership within the PTA organization, in terms of capability to change and influence other organizations to be proactive in observing and acknowledging potential hazards prior to major accidents or serious injuries.

History of The Parent Teacher Association (PTA) The PTA is one of the oldest child advocacy organizations in existence

An historic organization, Parent Teacher Association (PTA) was founded more than 100 years ago in 1897 in Washington DC as the National Congress of Mothers by Alice McLellan Birney and Phoebe Apperson Hearst.

Throughout its history, National PTA was created to meet a profound challenge.

Mission To support and speak on behalf of children and youth in the schools, in the community and before governmental bodies and other organizations that make decisions affecting children.

Mission Statement:every child.one voice.

Statistics

In an average year, about 25 school children are killed in school bus accidents.

One third of these are struck by their own school bus in the loading/unloading zone, one third are struck by motorists who fail to stop for the school bus, and one third are killed as pedestrians approaching or departing the school bus stop. Very few are killed inside the bus.

The most common fatality involving a school bus is to a motorist who hits the bus. There are about 120 Americans killed annually in this type of fatality

Florida A national study determined that during a one-day sample on March 2 of this

year, 9,000 drivers passed stopped school buses in Florida. Nearly 38,000 drivers passed buses nationwide, according to the study by the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services.

Kissimmee police officers have issued 112 citations to drivers who didn't stop for school buses. Last school year, the Police Department issued just 87 tickets for the same offense.

Last school year, the Volusia Sheriff's Office issued citations to 21 drivers as part of an operation that targeted people who drove past stopped school buses.

Eight children have been struck by vehicles in Volusia during the past six weeks.

Florida Statue 6.07 addresses safety guidelines for school bus stop locations in Florida. Florida Statue 6.07 SCHOOL BUS STOP SAFETY in general bus locations shall be made at

locations affording the greatest degree of safety for students waiting for a bus and protection of the bus and its passengers while loading and unloading students and should not be hazardous.

Transportation Department and/or the School Safety Advisory Committee determines the school bus stop location.

School bus stops will be placed at locations that provide the maximum safety and convenience for the majority of the students living in the immediate area.

School bus stops will not knowingly be implemented at unsafe locations i.e., on curves, near the crest of hills, or at extremely busy intersections.

A school bus route or bus stop will not be moved from an existing location until the Transportation Department has thoroughly investigated the circumstances and approved the relocation.

Transportation Department Procedures used by the for changing the location of bus routes or bus stops:

Bus routes and stops will be reviewed on a regular basis by the Safety Manager, Area Manager and/or the Routing Department and changes will be made as needed to provide safer or more efficient service.

To change a school bus route or stop, the requesting party will complete and return the Transportation Request Form or make written request to the appropriate school.

The request will be reviewed by a member of the Routing Department and, if sufficient data is available to make a decision, the request will be approved or disapproved immediately. If sufficient data is not available, the requested route or stop(s) will be visited by a member of the Transportation Services staff or referred to the School Safety Advisory Committee.

The School Safety Advisory Committee is the final authority regarding placement or relocation of school bus stops(Transportation Routing Procedures, 2012).

Leadership Theories

Leadership is the process of influencing others to understand and agree about what needs to be done and how it can be done effectively, and the process of facilitating individual and collective efforts to accomplish the shared objectiveness Yukls (2002).

House and Mitchell (1971) found that in the path-goal theory, the main task of the leader is to smooth the follower’s path to goal, using the most appropriate of the four leadership behaviors styles to help followers clarify their path. The four behavior styles in the model are directive, supportive, participative and achievement

when an organizations members share a common set of values , determining what they see as worthwhile activities, ethical behavior and moral responsibilities, this can have a strong impact on the strategic direction (e.g. Falsey, 1989; Hoffman, 1989).

Kouzes & Posner (2002), exemplary leadership characteristics of Enable Others to Act, (1) Exemplary leaders enable others to act, (2)Fostering collaboration and building trust, (3)Leaders engage all those who must make the project work-and in some way, all who must live with the results and Inspire a Shared Vision.

Mark Sanborn (2004), “Be Lead By Compelling Reasons” and “Do The Right Things For The Right Reasons”.

Covey’s (2004), Eight Habits of Highly Effectiveness to Greatness: Be proactive, find your voice and inspire others to find theirs and synergize.

Methodology The primary focus for the PTA to create an urgency for parent, teacher and

community involvement. From a leadership perspective it is important that board members and members continue to build a growth culture by partnering with other organization, creating a stronger network with educational internet based organization and Florida Department of Transportation.

Research Process- paper based surveys, archival data, and personal observation method.

Participants-Parents of Spring Lake Hills Apartments Forty surveys were distributed to parents for feedback regarding the

safety of school bus stop on Wymore Road, and three observations completed.

Survey Results

1-Very Safe= 5% 2- Safe= 35% 3- Unsafe= 58% 4- Very Unsafe = 2%

How safe do think the current bus stop location is for children who at-tend Altamonte Elementary?

1 2

3 4

Survey Results

1 2 30

12

88

Would you consider the traffic flow on Wymore Road between the hours of 7:00am-8:00am to be: Light ….Moderate……………Heavy

Survey Results

Are you a member of the PTA?

12

Conclusion

My intent of this research was for the PTA to create an urgency for the Seminole County School Board and the Transportation Depart to have a detailed evaluation process for school bus stops.

Evaluate school bus stop location every 6 months. Distribute surveys to residents regarding the safety of school bus stop location PTA Collaborate with organizations that will provide support and data for this cause Continue to encourage the community to become a member, volunteer, and provide

suggestion and comments on how to improve the organization.

Questions?