To succeed in school, students need reliable transportation. Parents and guardians of transportation-eligible children must use the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) Parent Portal to request transportation for the 2026-27 school year. Parents directly submit their transportation request forms (TRFs), but local education agencies (LEAs) are vital partners in completing the process. We need everyone’s help reaching all families and ensuring appropriate student program details and accommodations are provided.
Point of Contact
Jason Campbell, Associate Director for Audit and Compliance, Division of Student Transportation
[email protected]
[email protected]
Top Things to Know
- Eligibility: To be eligible, children must have active individualized education programs (IEPs) that include transportation services. Like last year, parents and guardians must submit their Transportation Request Form to indicate their preferences.
- Options: The transportation preferences are (1) Will not need transportation; (2) Parent Stipend Program (self-transport); or (3) OSSE-Division of Student Transportation (DOT) transportation (yellow bus).
- Deadline: Parents and guardians should submit their preferences by Friday, July 24. Families may submit after this date, however, timely submissions ensure that buses are assigned in time for the start of school.
- LEA/school role in the Parent Portal: for every student, schools must ensure the school year calendars are accurate. For students using OSSE-DOT transportation, LEAs need to submit student program details and accommodations, in accordance with the student’s IEP.
- LEA/school role in parent communications: Schools should maintain accurate parent/guardian contact information and support OSSE efforts to communicate with families.
Key Resources
Key Dates & Deadlines
- Starting April 8, 2026 – LEAs/schools will add the program details and student accommodations in the Integrated Data System (IDS) for parents who select OSSE-DOT transportation in the OSSE Parent Portal.
- July 24 – Parents should complete their submissions of transportation preferences for their transportation-eligible students.
- OSSE will provide in-person technical support to families for 2026-27 school year transportation in June and July:
- June 9-18: Tuesdays and Thursdays | 4-7 p.m.
- July 14-23: Tuesdays and Thursdays | 4-7 p.m.