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

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

The operator has more value than the passengers

Only well-behaved passengers deserve respect

Older students have more value than younger ones

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

2 / 25

What atmosphere should operators try to create among passengers?

Strict silence at all times

Competitive behaviour among students

Fear of punishment

Friendly cooperation

3 / 25

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

Always obey the directions of the bus operator

Set their own rules for the bus

Help the operator drive the bus

Decide when the bus should stop

4 / 25

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

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

In front of all other passengers for example’s sake

While driving so time is not wasted

Alone with the door locked

5 / 25

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

Speaking to parents

Losing their temper

Giving any warnings

Asking passengers questions

6 / 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

7 / 25

What must be true about the application of consequences?

They should be random to discourage bad behaviour

They should be harsher with younger students

They must be applied consistently and equally to every passenger

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

8 / 25

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

“Because I said so!”

“Please listen carefully”

“This is school policy”

“For your own safety”

9 / 25

How do you describe consequences?

As unrelated to the passenger’s behaviour

As punishments that come without reason

As a direct result of the passenger’s chosen action

As optional suggestions

10 / 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 allows other students to vote on the solution

It guarantees they will never misbehave again

It removes all responsibility from the operator

11 / 25

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

Assigned seat

Immediate expulsion from school

Warning

Conference with the principal

12 / 25

Which behaviour must passengers stop, according to the responsibilities?

Smiling at others

Quietly reading books

Talking politely to friends

Fighting, teasing, and bullying

13 / 25

What does “progressively negative choice” involve?

Offering only one possible action

Asking the principal to decide every consequence

Allowing passengers to choose no consequence

Giving the passenger a choice where one option is more unpleasant

14 / 25

What must passengers do while the bus is in motion?

Move freely if they are quiet

Stand if they are near their stop

Sit only if they feel unsafe

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

15 / 25

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

The bus operator

The student council representative

The oldest passenger

The school principal

16 / 25

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

Never speak to passengers unless correcting them

Enforce rules without giving any reasons

Show by their behaviour that they care about the passengers

Frequently remind passengers that the operator is in charge

17 / 25

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

Referring to safety at all

Listening to the passenger

Nagging and over-explaining

Asking any questions

18 / 25

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

A tap on the shoulder to get attention

A congratulatory high five

A pat on the head

A hug for every student each day

19 / 25

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

Wait to praise them until the end of the school year

Only speak to them if they stand up

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

Ignore the behaviour until they misbehave

20 / 25

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

Throw away garbage through open windows

Yell out of open windows only at stops

Open all windows whenever possible

Ensure nothing is extended or tossed outside through open windows

21 / 25

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

“Why don’t you ever listen?”

“Isn’t this embarrassing for you?”

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

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

22 / 25

After three warnings, what is normally the next consequence?

Moving the passenger to the back of the bus

Assigned seat, usually front passenger side

Immediate suspension from the bus

Calling the police

23 / 25

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

Change buses or walk home

Call parents or write an apology

Sit in the back or stand in the aisle

Remain seated or move to the front seat

24 / 25

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

At each season change and after major holidays

Only at the start of the school year

Every single day

Only after a student is suspended

25 / 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

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.