March 1, 2011
Use of On-Line Training Programs
The California Department of Education (CDE) has been approached by school districts, school bus contractors, insurance carriers, and private software manufacturers regarding the CDE's position on on-line training in accordance with Education Code sections 40080-40086.
In accordance with its mission to disseminate and extend knowledge, to foster the free exchange of ideas, the Department continues to require a state certified instructor to be present or participate in the curriculum for original or renewal applicants. Allowing students to receive instruction through computers or on-line training programs does not meet the requirements in Education Code Section 40081(c).
Access to information technology resources (i.e., on-line lesson plans, videos, etc.) may be suitable for in-service training and the instructor must carry the responsibility for ensuring that the use of these resources meets the curriculum by ensuring the training is essential to pupil transportation safety and/or defensive driving techniques.
The CDE's position is that of neither endorsing nor prohibiting the use of such training software for in-service training.