2016 America’s Best Training & Skills Challenge

Each year the National Association for Pupil Transportation (NAPT) holds the America’s Best Training & Skills Challenge, and this year’s competition will function jointly with NAPT’s 42nd Annual Summit: Connecting What Matters. Your America’s Best registration includes complimentary registration for NAPT’s Annual Summit!

The America’s Best Challenge includes separate events for Technicians and Inspectors. Each of these areas will include a written exam and a hands-on portion.

Will you be there?

The annual NAPT Summit is consistently recognized as the premier pupil transportation conference in the nation. There is something for everyone:

• Access to industry leaders
• Nationally recognized speakers
• Industry’s largest trade show
• Credits towards national certification
• Industry relevant workshops
• Professional networking
• A special, interactive security training event in partnership with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
• America’s Best Inspector and Technician Challenge

Create your own professional success story!

5 Common Questions About Skidding

by Brooke Neal

Driving a school bus can be a challenging task. Through proper training and practice, school bus drivers develop the necessary knowledge and skills to safely transport children to and from school every day. But, how does one prepare for a dangerous situation such as skidding? The following are answers to five common questions about skidding.

What is Skidding?

Skidding occurs when the tires of a vehicle fail to get traction on a surface and start spinning or sliding. Research shows that skidding is a major contributing factor in one out of four serious accidents. It is also estimated that skidding is responsible for approximately 10,000 deaths and 300,000 injuries every year.

What Causes Skidding?

Although slick, muddy, or icy roads can all contribute to the possibility of skidding, contrary to popular belief they are not the main causes of skidding. Driving your vehicle too fast for existing conditions is actually the chief reason most people skid. The following driver errors can cause skidding:

 
What are the Types of Skids?

There are two main types of skidding: fishtailing and plowing.

Fishtailing – Also known as oversteering, fishtailing occurs when, upon turning your vehicle, the rear wheels lose traction, “spinning out”, causing the rear of the vehicle to slide from side to side.

Plowing – Also known as understeering, plowing occurs when the front wheels lost traction causing the vehicle to make a much wider turn than intended. Usually this is the result of taking a turn too fast for the road conditions.

What Should I Do if my Vehicle Skids?

The first thing to remember if your vehicle starts skidding is – DON’T PANIC – try to remain calm and do the following:

 
How Can I Prevent Skidding?

 
Even the best, most conscientious drivers will sometimes experience emergency situations. When these situations do occur, you only have a few seconds to react. By the time you think about what to do, it’s too late. The proper preparation could make all of the difference, especially when the lives of others are in your hands.

 
Brooke Neal
Guest blogger
School Training Solutions

Easily Implement Statewide Online Testing

It is time to use technology to your advantage. Do you still issue manually graded, paper-based certification tests? Do you want an easier online system that can save money?

We can create and host statewide, standardized, electronic testing!

• Multiple test question banks
• Randomized questions
• Randomized answer choices
• Time limits
• Limited test attempts
• Tracking
• Reporting
• Automatic grading
• Electronic certificates

Let School Training Solutions help with your testing or training needs.

Join NAPT for the 42nd Annual Summit in Kansas City, Missouri, November 4th-8th.

The NAPT Summit is known for its inspiring keynote speakers. This year kicks off with Jeff Bauman a Boston Marathon bombing survivor. On April 15, 2013 Jeff Bauman stood at the finish line of the Boston Marathon eagerly awaiting his girlfriend. He witnessed a man drop a black backpack and moments later the first of two explosions rocked Boylston Street. Losing both legs in the explosion, Bauman was quickly taken to an ambulance by a cowboy hat wearing bystander. The moment was photographed and became the most iconic image of the marathon tragedy.

Hear the rest of Jeff’s story and how his recollection of the events prior to the bombing helped the FBI identify those responsible.

The annual NAPT Summit is consistently recognized as the premier pupil transportation conference in the nation. There is something for everyone:

• Access to industry leaders
• Nationally recognized speakers
• Industry’s largest trade show
• Credits towards national certification
• Industry relevant workshops
• Professional networking
• A special, interactive security training event in partnership with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
• America’s Best Inspector and Technician Challenge

Create your own professional success story!

Nationally Recognized Certification is Possible with NAPT PDS Courses

Join NAPT for the 42nd Annual Summit in Kansas City, Missouri, November 4th-8th. Members of NAPT are eligible to take as many of the Professional Development Series (PDS) courses offered at the Summit as can fit into your schedule. Courses are free of charge as a member benefit! Professional Development Series Courses count towards various levels of NAPT Certification.

In addition to the vast array of training courses and inspiring general sessions, the Summit features in-depth workshops with diverse topics and engaging speakers.

The annual NAPT Summit is consistently recognized as the premier pupil transportation conference in the nation. There is something for everyone:

• Access to industry leaders
• Nationally recognized speakers
• Industry’s largest trade show
• Credits towards national certification
• Industry relevant workshops
• Professional networking
• A special, interactive security training event
• America’s Best Inspector and Technician Challenge

Create your own professional success story!