S.T.A.R.T. program empowers school bus drivers and transportation staff to identify, prevent, and respond immediately to active threats before they escalate.
CHAGRIN FALLS, Ohio, July 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — More than 25 million students ride the bus to school each day — yet most drivers have never been trained to respond to an active threat. That’s about to change. S.T.A.R.T. (School Transportation Active-Threat Response Training) is launching a national Back-to-School effort to equip drivers and transportation teams with the training they need to recognize, prevent, and respond to active threats before police arrive.
While most safety funding has traditionally focused on buildings, S.T.A.R.T. emphasizes that buses are rolling classrooms and deserve the same attention when it comes to active threat prevention and response. S.T.A.R.T.’s hands-on, scenario-based training equips drivers and transportation staff with the skills to recognize abnormal behavior, identify potential threats, and respond decisively in the critical moments before law enforcement arrives.
More than 25 million students in grades K through 12 ride a school bus daily, on nearly half a million buses, making approximately 10 billion trips per year, according to the New York School Bus Contractors Association.
“School buses are often the first and last point of contact for students each day,” said Jim Levine, CEO of S.T.A.R.T. “The bus driver, in essence, is the first responder. Our training ensures drivers and transportation teams are prepared to protect students and themselves, providing parents and school administrators with peace of mind.”
S.T.A.R.T. helps school districts meet driver professional development requirements while reinforcing their duty to protect students from the moment they step on the bus until the moment they return home. Training can be scheduled year-round to accommodate bus driver availability, funding cycles and staff schedules. Law enforcement partners are also encouraged to participate, reinforcing a coordinated community response to protecting students from active threats.
About S.T.A.R.T.
Founded in 2015 by a former School Resource Officer who recognized a critical gap in student safety, S.T.A.R.T. (School Transportation Active-Threat Response Training) empowers school bus drivers and transportation staff to prevent, recognize, and respond to active threats. Based in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, S.T.A.R.T. operates nationwide and delivers hands-on, scenario-based training grounded in real-world experience to school districts and transportation providers.
The organization is comprised of active-duty and former law enforcement officers, SWAT team members, U.S. Secret Service personnel, crisis intervention specialists, and mental health professionals. S.T.A.R.T. supports a year-round culture of preparedness from the moment students board the bus to the moment they return home.
For more information, visit www. https://www.schoolbusstart.com.
Media Contact
Mike Lawson
S.T.A.R.T. Communications Director
Cell: 513-432-2358 Email: mike@schoolbusstart.com
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SOURCE S.T.A.R.T.
