How Northern Virginia School Districts Can Accommodate IEP Transportation Needs
The Growing Need for Specialized Transportation
Across the nation, the number of students requiring special education services is at an all-time high. These students account for 15% of the student population. This reflects a growing need for inclusive education and, consequently, for reliable and specialized transportation services.
The need is particularly evident in Virginia. In the 2023–2024 school year, almost 181,000 students received special education services in the state, an increase of nearly 7,000 students from the year prior ( in the 2021-2022 school year, 13% of Prince William County Public Schools students had an IEP — that’s over 11,000 students).
We’ve seen firsthand the significant growth of specialized transportation in the last few years. At HopSkipDrive, our data indicates a remarkable 2,624% increase in rides for students with IEPs on our platform since 2020. This surge further highlights the critical need for dependable transportation that caters to these students' unique requirements.
IEP Transportation Challenges in Northern Virginia
Northern Virginia faces the same challenges in providing adequate transportation for students with IEPs that school districts face nationwide. Some of these challenges include:
Accessibility: Not all transportation methods are fully accessible to all students.
Funding and Budget Restrictions: Budget cuts can reduce the number of support staff or school transportation professionals who transport or ride with students with IEPs.
Bus Driver Shortages: HopSkipDrive data shows 91% of school districts report being impacted by the current bus driver shortage.
Long Transportation Times: As the Disability Law Center of Virginia pointed out in a press release, schools must ensure that students with IEPs are provided transportation that is comparable in length to students who don’t have an IEP or unique needs.
Recent Legislative Support
HopSkipDrive is proud to have partnered with school districts in Virginia since 2019. In March, a bill was signed into law that underscores the ability for smaller districts to utilize flexible transportation options, further illustrating the need for supplemental student transportation options.
The Virginia Department of Education also recently amended its school bus specifications to say, “Smaller capacity fleet vehicles are some options that can be used in conjunction with customary methods to provide a flexible, efficient, and comprehensive public school pupil transportation solution.”
Reframing the Way We Think About Student Transportation
The growing demand for IEP student transportation isn’t just a logistical issue — it’s a matter of equity. Every child deserves access to an education tailored to their needs, and transportation should never be a barrier.
The future of education for students with disabilities depends on how we address challenges like transportation. At HopSkipDrive, we are committed to continually innovating and adapting our services to meet the evolving needs of schools and students. Our supplemental transportation network can help bridge gaps and break down barriers.
How HopSkipDrive Is Helping Bridge the Gap
HopSkipDrive offers specialized transportation solutions designed to meet the unique needs of students with IEPs. Key features include:
CareDrivers: HopSkipDrive’s CareDrivers have at least five years of caregiving experience and are trained to support students with diverse needs.
Customized IEP Rider Experience: HopSkipDrive allows for detailed rider profiles and personalized notes to ensure each student’s needs are met, with a direct line to the HopSkipDrive team to tailor the ride.
Primary CareDriver +: This program offers an even higher level of service and consistency for riders by matching students with the same CareDriver for at least 80% of their rides.
Rider Assistants: HopSkipDrive can provide an additional adult in the vehicle to assist students who need extra support.
Wheelchair-Accessible Vehicle (WAV) rides: These rides are offered through our CarePartners™ to ensure students with mobility requirements can access reliable transportation.
Safe Ride Technology™: HopSkipDrive uses real-time ride tracking and communication to ensure student safety and provide parents and caregivers with peace of mind.
Flexibility: HopSkipDrive offers flexible scheduling, with rides that can be scheduled with as little as six hours’ notice.
Want to Learn More?
HopSkipDrive offers a safe, reliable, and flexible solution to address the increasing need for specialized transportation for students with IEPs in Northern Virginia. By prioritizing safety, personalization and caregiver support — and by actively partnering with school districts — HopSkipDrive helps ensure all students have access to the education they deserve.
To learn more about how HopSkipDrive can help fulfill your district’s IEP transportation needs, visit our Special Needs & IEP Transportation page.
