Series 2-11: What Professional Operators Can Do

The “What Professional Operators Can Do” chapter in the Alberta School Bus practice test highlights the key responsibilities of professional school bus drivers.

Alberta School Bus Test - SERIES 2-11: What Professional Operators Can Do

1 / 25

What should the bus operator try their best to avoid when dealing with passengers?

Speaking to parents

Giving any warnings

Losing their temper

Asking passengers questions

2 / 25

What must passengers do while the bus is in motion?

Sit only if they feel unsafe

Move freely if they are quiet

Stand if they are near their stop

Remain seated until the operator says they can get up and exit

3 / 25

How often should the operator review passenger responsibilities during the year?

Only at the start of the school year

Only after a student is suspended

At each season change and after major holidays

Every single day

4 / 25

How can the operator positively reinforce a passenger with a short attention span who has remained seated?

Ignore the behaviour until they misbehave

Wait to praise them until the end of the school year

Thank them shortly before their usual limit, e.g., “Thank you for remaining seated”

Only speak to them if they stand up

5 / 25

Where and how should a conference with a passenger ideally take place?

Alone with the door locked

While driving so time is not wasted

In front of all other passengers for example’s sake

At school, outside the bus, with another adult present if possible

6 / 25

In the example of “progressively negative choice,” what are the two options given?

Sit in the back or stand in the aisle

Call parents or write an apology

Change buses or walk home

Remain seated or move to the front seat

7 / 25

When discussing behaviour with a passenger, what should the operator avoid doing?

Listening to the passenger

Referring to safety at all

Nagging and over-explaining

Asking any questions

8 / 25

What atmosphere should operators try to create among passengers?

Fear of punishment

Friendly cooperation

Strict silence at all times

Competitive behaviour among students

9 / 25

What must be true about the application of consequences?

They should be harsher with younger students

They should be random to discourage bad behaviour

They must be applied consistently and equally to every passenger

They should vary depending on how much the operator likes the passenger

10 / 25

Which of the following is a listed responsibility related to windows?

Open all windows whenever possible

Throw away garbage through open windows

Yell out of open windows only at stops

Ensure nothing is extended or tossed outside through open windows

11 / 25

After three warnings, what is normally the next consequence?

Immediate suspension from the bus

Assigned seat, usually front passenger side

Calling the police

Moving the passenger to the back of the bus

12 / 25

For serious incidents such as fighting, which consequence level should be used immediately?

Communication/conference with the principal (level four)

Just a verbal warning

Only an assigned seat change

No action until parents complain

13 / 25

What is specifically listed as a passenger responsibility regarding the bus operator?

Set their own rules for the bus

Always obey the directions of the bus operator

Decide when the bus should stop

Help the operator drive the bus

14 / 25

How do you describe consequences?

As punishments that come without reason

As optional suggestions

As unrelated to the passenger’s behaviour

As a direct result of the passenger’s chosen action

15 / 25

Why is it helpful to have the passenger suggest their own solution to the problem?

There is a better chance it will work because it is their solution

It removes all responsibility from the operator

It guarantees they will never misbehave again

It allows other students to vote on the solution

16 / 25

What physical contact with passengers is generally permitted as positive recognition?

A hug for every student each day

A congratulatory high five

A tap on the shoulder to get attention

A pat on the head

17 / 25

During a conference, what question should the operator ask to reaffirm the passenger’s knowledge of safety?

“Why don’t you ever listen?”

“What could happen to you if you are not seated and the bus has to suddenly stop or swerve?”

“Isn’t this embarrassing for you?”

“Do you know how many rules you’ve broken?”

18 / 25

What does “progressively negative choice” involve?

Allowing passengers to choose no consequence

Asking the principal to decide every consequence

Giving the passenger a choice where one option is more unpleasant

Offering only one possible action

19 / 25

Who is ultimately in control of the situation on the bus?

The bus operator

The student council representative

The school principal

The oldest passenger

20 / 25

What is a key way for the operator to demonstrate leadership to passengers?

Show by their behaviour that they care about the passengers

Frequently remind passengers that the operator is in charge

Never speak to passengers unless correcting them

Enforce rules without giving any reasons

21 / 25

When should the operator outline responsibilities and expectations to passengers?

At the end of the first month of school

In the afternoon on the first or second day of school

Only after the first major incident

Only at the beginning of winter

22 / 25

Which behaviour must passengers stop, according to the responsibilities?

Quietly reading books

Smiling at others

Talking politely to friends

Fighting, teasing, and bullying

23 / 25

Which of the following is NOT one of the acceptable consequences listed? [[34–35]]

Assigned seat

Warning

Conference with the principal

Immediate expulsion from school

24 / 25

How should operators view the value and responsibilities of people on the bus?

Older students have more value than younger ones

The operator has more value than the passengers

Every person, including the operator, has equal value and deserves equal respect

Only well-behaved passengers deserve respect

25 / 25

What phrase should operators avoid using when explaining guidelines and limits?

“This is school policy”

“Because I said so!”

“For your own safety”

“Please listen carefully”

Your score is

It emphasizes maintaining a safe and respectful environment for students, adhering strictly to traffic laws, and practicing defensive driving. Operators are encouraged to communicate effectively with passengers, parents, and school officials, and to remain calm in challenging situations. Regular vehicle inspections and emergency preparedness are also covered. By mastering these skills, professional operators ensure the safety and well-being of everyone on board, reflecting the high standards expected of Alberta’s school bus drivers.