This action research aims to evaluate the safety of school bus stop locations on Wymore Road in Altamonte Springs, Florida. The research will enable the local Parent Teacher Association to advocate for safer bus stops and guidelines from the Seminole County Public School transportation division. A survey of parents found that most view the current bus stop as unsafe due to heavy traffic. The research concludes by recommending the PTA work with the school board and community to regularly evaluate stops, collect input, and ensure children's safety.

1. Action Research
By Cassandra Richardson

2. Topic and Organizational Outcome
 What 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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).

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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
attend Altamonte Elementary?
1
2
3
4

13. Survey Results
0
12
88
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Would you consider the traffic flow on Wymore Road between the hours of 7:00am-8:00am
to be: Light ….Moderate……………Heavy

14. Survey Results
Are you a member of the PTA?
1
2

15. 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.

16. Questions?