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

Never speak to passengers unless correcting them

Frequently remind passengers that the operator is in charge

Show by their behaviour that they care about the passengers

Enforce rules without giving any reasons

2 / 25

After three warnings, what is normally the next consequence?

Calling the police

Assigned seat, usually front passenger side

Moving the passenger to the back of the bus

Immediate suspension from the bus

3 / 25

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

Listening to the passenger

Referring to safety at all

Asking any questions

Nagging and over-explaining

4 / 25

When should the operator outline responsibilities and expectations to passengers?

At the end of the first month of school

Only at the beginning of winter

In the afternoon on the first or second day of school

Only after the first major incident

5 / 25

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

Warning

Conference with the principal

Assigned seat

Immediate expulsion from school

6 / 25

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

Sit in the back or stand in the aisle

Remain seated or move to the front seat

Call parents or write an apology

Change buses or walk home

7 / 25

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

While driving so time is not wasted

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

Alone with the door locked

In front of all other passengers for example’s sake

8 / 25

What atmosphere should operators try to create among passengers?

Strict silence at all times

Friendly cooperation

Competitive behaviour among students

Fear of punishment

9 / 25

What must be true about the application of consequences?

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

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

10 / 25

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

Ignore the behaviour until they misbehave

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

Only speak to them if they stand up

Wait to praise them until the end of the school year

11 / 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

12 / 25

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

Only well-behaved passengers deserve respect

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

Older students have more value than younger ones

The operator has more value than the passengers

13 / 25

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

Always obey the directions of the bus operator

Help the operator drive the bus

Set their own rules for the bus

Decide when the bus should stop

14 / 25

Which behaviour must passengers stop, according to the responsibilities?

Smiling at others

Fighting, teasing, and bullying

Talking politely to friends

Quietly reading books

15 / 25

What must passengers do while the bus is in motion?

Move freely if they are quiet

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

Stand if they are near their stop

Sit only if they feel unsafe

16 / 25

What does “progressively negative choice” involve?

Asking the principal to decide every consequence

Allowing passengers to choose no consequence

Offering only one possible action

Giving the passenger a choice where one option is more unpleasant

17 / 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

Ensure nothing is extended or tossed outside through open windows

Open all windows whenever possible

18 / 25

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

Every single day

Only after a student is suspended

Only at the start of the school year

At each season change and after major holidays

19 / 25

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

The oldest passenger

The student council representative

The bus operator

The school principal

20 / 25

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

“Please listen carefully”

“For your own safety”

“Because I said so!”

“This is school policy”

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?”

“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?”

22 / 25

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

It removes all responsibility from the operator

It allows other students to vote on the solution

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

It guarantees they will never misbehave again

23 / 25

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

Asking passengers questions

Speaking to parents

Giving any warnings

Losing their temper

24 / 25

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

A hug for every student each day

A tap on the shoulder to get attention

A pat on the head

A congratulatory high five

25 / 25

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

Communication/conference with the principal (level four)

Only an assigned seat change

No action until parents complain

Just a verbal warning

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.