Why do most Charter Schools not offer transportation?
For many charter schools, providing effective charter school transportation solutions to their students is challenging. Unlike traditional public schools, many charter schools do not provide transportation to and from school. This puts a burden on the families. In the US, only 16 States require transportation setup for Charter Schools. Unfortunately, this lack of transportation has been difficult for families in both urban and suburban areas. Public transportation is not always accessible and children’s safety is an increasing concern. In rural areas, significant distances pose their own challenges.
Providing transportation for children, not only to school but after-school and weekend activities, is a significant time and financial expense, particularly for families in one-car homes. Schedules conflicting alone is a key indicator that leads to increased absenteeism.
Traffic congestion is a common problem, especially during school peak hours. This often leads to gridlock, resulting in long pick up lines, an increased frustration among neighbors, parents, and school staff. Additionally, with a high number of children being dropped off and picked up in confined areas, there’s a heightened risk of accidents, particularly when parents are rushed or distracted.
Innovative Solutions for School Transportation
Luckily there are new Charter School Transportation Solutions like school carpooling by Gokid to improve student transportation. Gokids’ approach not only ensures safe travel to school but also helps in environmental conservation by reducing the number of cars on the road. Gokid Connect for charter schools is user-friendly, allowing parents to easily partner with nearby families for carpooling. It includes features like live-tracking and drop-off notifications for added safety.
Parents can match with families in their area and with children in the same grade. This system benefits schools by tracking reductions in traffic, emissions, and the number of carpools created. Additionally, it helps in decreasing tardiness and absenteeism, as it enables families to reduce their school commutes to 2 or 3 times a week.
Contact Us for Funding and Discounts
As with any new initiative, or school program, funding this technology platform can be a challenge for charter schools, particularly those serving underserved communities. This is where Gokids’ collaboration with the Shatter Foundation comes in. Through its partnership with Gokid, the Shatter Foundation is providing grants for funding for implementing Gokid at selected charter schools and underserved public schools.
The Gokid Connect program is set to revolutionize transportation in charter schools, especially for those lacking busing funds. It aims to provide all students with safe, reliable, and cost-effective travel options to school.
Michael Kapoor, COO of Shatter Foundation, expressed strong support for this initiative:
“We are extremely happy to support Gokids expansion into Charter Schools and continue to assist underserved communities. Attendance matters. Children’s safety matters. Communities functioning efficiently matters. All children have the right to be in school, and GoKid is making sure that happens one school at a time.”
Gokid Connect addresses the significant transport challenges faced by charter schools. It offers a future where schools assist parents in forming carpool groups, saving money and time spent driving.
Schools seeking to participate can reach out to the Shatter Foundation for funding opportunities through schools@gokid.mobi. This partnership between the Shatter Foundation and Gokid aims to fund new initiatives, ensuring accessible, safe, and dependable transportation for all students
