An article in "The Chicago Tribune" (8/29/10) reports that a school bus driver has been accused of sexually abusing a special education student on his bus. What is worse: the same driver has been accused and charged last year with commiting the same crime. What did the bus company do? Nothing!
This time of the year, many young people are joining independent sports' groups, "traveling teams", dance/gymnastic/drama programs-all of which are not supervised by schools and not mandated to screen their employees. Thousands of children are riding on school busses which are NOT supervised by the school, but are contracted by the school system.
Who is doing background checks on...the drivers for the independent school bus companies...the coaches for these unaffiliated sports/recreation organizations...the "volunteers" in some after school programs for "gifted students" or "special needs" children? The answer? NO ONE!
PARENTS have a RIGHT and a DUTY to demand that any adult who is involved with their child in any program, especially a child with special needs, MUST pass a State Police background check. If a company or organization refuses, then obviously that company, organization or team is NOT interested in doing everything possible to protect your child.