INFORMATIONAL

 The Department of Education is pleased to announce the second annual symposium on 
special education transportation, April 3-4, 2000, at the Doubletree Hotel in 
Charlottesville.

The transportation of infants, toddlers, and students with special needs is a major 
component of public school transportation programs.  Every day more than 25,000 
students with special needs are transported on nearly 1,800 specially-equipped 
school buses to and from schools in the commonwealth.  An additional 2,000-3,000 
students with very unique needs are transported by other modes of transportation, 
and it is estimated that approximately 4,000 children under the age of five who may 
require transportation are enrolled in programs offered by school divisions.  This 
symposium will address many of the issues that school divisions face in transporting
this special needs population.

Registration for the symposium will be from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner 
and the first general session from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., on Monday, April 3.  Tuesday's 
events will begin at 7 a.m. with breakfast and roundtable discussions followed by 
break-out sessions, lunch, and the second general session.  The symposium will 
adjourn around 3 p.m. on Tuesday.  For informational purposes, a tentative program 
is attached. 

A federal grant will allow the Department of Education to cover lodging and meal 
expenses for one person from each school division.  Additional staff may attend; 
however, the facility is limited to a total of 200 participants.  The Department may
be able to reimburse additional lodging and meal expenses after a final count of 
participants is made.  School divisions will be responsible for any other expenses.

Each school division is encouraged to send a special education administrator and a 
transportation administrator.  Please remember that the facility is limited to 200 
participants; therefore, if the demand for attendance exceeds this limit, school 
divisions may be required to reduce the number of individuals attending.

Also, the Virginia Association for Pupil Transportation (VAPT) is sponsoring a 
ROAD-E-O for drivers of specially-equipped school buses.  A survey form for this 
event will be sent under separate cover.

Please complete the attached Symposium Registration and Hotel Reservation Forms and 
return them to the Department of Education no later than March 1, 2000. Questions 
should be directed to Dr. Barbara V. Goodman at 804-225-2037.

JLD/aam

Attachments












REGISTRATION FORM

SPECIAL EDUCATION TRANSPORTATION SYMPOSIUM
April 3 & 4, 2000
Charlottesville, VA 


SCHOOL DIVISION___________________  PERSON SUBMITTING FORM__________________


MAILING ADDRESS: ______________________________________    __________________

                 ____________________________________________________________
TEAMs
FILL IN NAME BESIDE APPROPRIATE POSITION


NAMES OF PARTICIPANTS:			POSITION:

_____________________	=	 transportation administrator

_____________________	=	special education administrator/coordinator     

	 other (List Names and Titles)

____________________	=	_____________________________________

____________________    =	_____________________________________

____________________	=	_____________________________________







Please Return by:				To:
MARCH 1, 2000 (OR EARLIER)			Dr. Barbara V. Goodman
                                                Pupil Transportation Service
FAX: 804-786-9417				Virginia Department of Education
                                                P.O. Box 2120
                                                Richmond, VA 23218-2120




HOTEL RESERVATION FORM
Doubletree Hotel
Charlottesville, VA 22901
804-973-2121

DO NOT CALL HOTEL FOR RESERVATIONS


DO NOT SEND TO THE HOTEL	SEND DIRECTLY TO DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


GUEST NAME:___________________________________________

NAME OF GROUP:	SPECIAL EDUCATION TRANSPORTATION SYMPOSIUM

DATES:	APRIL 3- 4, 2000

ADDRESS:____________________________________________

CITY/STATE/ZIP:______________________________________

PHONE:	DAY	_____________________

	EVENING _____________________

ARRIVAL DATE:______________________________________

DEPARTURE DATE____________________________________

EACH GUEST WILL HAVE A SEPARATE ROOM; HOWEVER, IF YOU CHOOSE TO SHARE WITH ANOTHER 
PERSON ATTENDING THE SYMPOSIUM, PLEASE GIVE THEIR NAME 
_________________________

SPECIAL ROOM REQUEST (I.E., NON-SMOKING, KING, ACCESSIBLE)
__________________________

	*DUPLICATE THIS FORM FOR ALL PERSONS DESIRING RESERVATIONS

UPON ARRIVAL, YOU WILL NEED TO PRESENT A CREDIT CARD AT CHECK-IN TO COVER ANY 
INCIDENTAL ROOM EXPENSES.  THE DEPARTMENT WILL COVER LODGING EXPENSES FOR THE 3RD.  
OTHER NIGHTS WILL BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE GUEST.

If you need to cancel, please let the Department of Education know immediately, so 
the rooms can be used by people on a waiting list.

All reservations must come directly to the Department of Education by March 1, 2000


MAIL OR FAX THIS FORM:		DR. BARBARA V. GOODMAN
                                PUPIL TRANSPORTATION SERVICE
                                VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
                                P.0. BOX 2120
                                RICHMOND, VA 23218-2120
                                FAX: 804-786-9417