Findings

Congress makes the following findings: (1) There are significant differences between urban and rural school districts with regard to student transportation, distances between schools and school districts, and school of choice options. Local educational agencies (LEAs) in rural areas often have only 1 school servicing a particular grade-level, and the distance between these schools is often much greater than in urban areas. These differences are not addressed by existing guidelines under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. (2) In 2000, rural schools (those in communities with populations below 2,500) taught 32 percent of the children in the United States, but rural schools accounted for $5,670,000,000 of the Nation’s spending on school transportation, or nearly half of such spending. (3) Rural transportation costs, per-pupil, are double that of urban transportation costs. As a percentage of total spending, rural areas spend 77 percent more than urban areas for education transportation. (4) Commutes in rural areas are much more likely to be on rougher, unpaved roads. This not only undermines the physical health of the students, but makes transportation during poor weather much more difficult or impossible. Students with longer commutes are more likely to miss school because of inclement weather. School attendance is an important factor in school performance. (5) School students who have long commutes actively avoid advanced and high-level courses because they do not have time for the extra homework. This self-imposed restriction retards maximization of educational potential. (6) Students with long commutes are less likely to engage in in-home and out-of-home activities, such as family dinners, after-school jobs, and athletic or musical extracurricular activities. Participation in these activities benefits overall educational progress. (7) Section 1116(b)(10)(C) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 instructs that the lowest achieving children be given priority for out-of-district transportation. Thus, the negative impacts of long commutes disproportionately affect the very students who need the most help.

Amendment to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965

Section 1116 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6316) is amended by adding at the end the following:

(i)

Geography limits

Notwithstanding subsections (b) and (c), a local educational agency shall not be required to provide a student the option to transfer to another school pursuant to this section if providing the option is impractical due to the distance to be traveled, a geographical barrier or hazard, the duration of the travel, or an unusually high cost of travel.