In light of alarming school transportation safety incidents nationwide—including a parent climbing through a school bus window in California, a woman reportedly boarding a school bus with a firearm in Indianapolis, and countless others—the S.T.A.R.T. Institute and school safety leaders across the country are calling for meaningful professional development focused on threat recognition and response.

CLEVELAND, Oct. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — School bus drivers may have seconds to recognize a threat—and an entire busload of children to protect. During National School Bus Safety Week, October 19–23, START Institute is urging school districts to extend active-threat preparedness beyond school buildings and onto school buses.

Schools have invested heavily in violence prevention and emergency planning inside classrooms. Yet many school bus drivers have never received specialized training to recognize and respond to an active threat, despite often being the only adult responsible for children far from immediate assistance.

An Indianapolis road-rage incident illustrates the risk. According to FOX59/CBS4 Indianapolis, an armed woman allegedly forced her way onto a school bus during a confrontation. Such incidents show why school buses require specialized preparation.

Founded in 2015, START Institute delivers School Transportation Active-Threat Response Training (S.T.A.R.T.™), reaching more than 10,000 school bus professionals across 18 states. Its eight-hour K–12 program combines classroom instruction with hands-on scenarios on and around school buses. These exercises empower drivers to recognize threats, assess response options, and act with confidence when seconds matter.

The five core S.T.A.R.T.™ K–12 modules are:

1. Duty to Protect / In Loco Parentis
2. Threat Recognition and Awareness
3. Juvenile Behavioral Intelligence / Threat Assessment
4. Conflict Resolution Through De-Escalation
5. Active Shooter / Active-Threat Response Options

This National School Bus Safety Week, go beyond thanking your school bus driver. Encourage your school district to invest in training that helps drivers recognize threats, respond with confidence, and better protect themselves and our kids. See how S.T.A.R.T.™ is making a difference nationwide, watch driver testimonials, and request training at www.STARTInstitute.org.

Columbus City Schools highlighted its partnership with S.T.A.R.T.™ after more than 600 drivers and aides completed training. See the training: Watch here.

“This training is nothing short of exceptional. I look forward to the day START training is mandated for every school bus driver in our state and nation,” said Dale L. Dickson, Director of the Licking County Educational Service Center.

“School bus drivers are the first and last school employees many children see each day,” said Jim Levine, Founder and CEO of START Institute. “They build relationships, earn trust, and carry an extraordinary responsibility. They deserve meaningful training and the resources to help protect the children entrusted to them.”

During National School Bus Safety Week, thank your school bus driver. Appreciate the job they do every day, and rally behind training that helps them protect themselves and our kids. Investing in drivers strengthens schools, families, and communities.

About START Institute

START Institute was founded by law enforcement professionals who identified a critical gap in school transportation safety. Built on decades of experience in law enforcement, protective security, and education, the organization brings together a multidisciplinary team of instructors, security professionals, and behavioral health specialists. Through education, advocacy, and strategic partnerships, START Institute works to elevate the role of school transportation personnel as essential members of the school safety community.

Jim Levine
Founder / CEO
216-245-3526 | Info@STARTinstitute.org
www.startinstitute.org

Media inquiries: Interviews with START institute founder and CEO Jim Levine available upon request. Training demonstrations, podcast, interviews, testimonials, and videos / photos are also available.

Contact: Jessica Coe, Director of Communications
216-245-3526 | Info@STARTinstitute.org
www.startinstitute.org

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SOURCE S.T.A.R.T.