What is the S.T.A.R.T. program?
The School Transportation Active-Threat Response Training (S.T.A.R.T.) program is a national program tailored specifically for school bus drivers, aides, and support personnel. Developed by law enforcement and behavioral health professionals, S.T.A.R.T. equips participants with a comprehensive and consistent best practices training curriculum.
The S.T.A.R.T. program aims to "target harden" school buses by empowering drivers to navigate various emergency situations effectively. Led by a diverse team of law enforcement and security experts, behavioral health officials, military personnel, and crisis intervention experts, the program covers response strategies for threats both on and off the bus. Conducted at school district locations across the nation, S.T.A.R.T. offers flexible training formats, either as a two-day, four-hour session or a single eight-hour day. Through classroom presentations, hands-on exercises, and scenario-based training, drivers engage in active shooter response, bomb threat response, and crisis de-escalation techniques.