2025 CSPTA Transportation Summit

Daily Schedule 

Thank you 

ELDT Instructor Class

Instructor: Debbie Thomas

This is an 8-hour class, which includes classroom instruction and hands-on testing of instruction skills. There are 2 written tests that instructors must pass with an 80-percent or better to become certified. This class is based on the FMCSA ELDT vehicle inspection and skills. These ELDT skills include:

Straight Line Backing

Offset Left and Right

Conventional (Blindside) and Sight side (Driver side) parallel parking

Alley Dock

One of these skills must be instructed with an 80-percent proficiency rate to pass.

Testing Materials for written tests:

CDL Manual June 2023 (This has the 2005 Skills testing requirements and the 2022

modernization skills and vehicle inspection)

Current Colorado Driver’s Handbook

2023 School Bus, Multifunction and Motor Coach Operator Guide

2020 Model Traffic Code for Colorado

June 14, 2023 Colorado Rules for the Operation, Maintenace, and Inspection of School

Transportation Vehicles 1CCR301-26

CDE 23-24 Transporting Students with Special Needs Guide

Colorado Minimum Standards Governing School Transportation Vehicles 1 CCR 301-25

This class shall also introduce the modernization (2022 CDL testing requirements) piece that can be introduced after completion of the ELDT prerequisite. The federal government has not changed the ELDT Program. ELDT MUST be instructed as written by FMCSA standards.

Materials Need:

Pencil and notepad for test and notes

Enclosed shoes for skills testing (Vehicle inspection and Basic Control Skills). Open toe shoes

will not be allowed for testing purposes.

Hat

Gloves

Clothing Cover

Are You Managing Leaders or Leading Managers?"
Managing things and leading people are different, but we need a bit of both for a successful operation.  Explore the 12 laws of leadership, in this interactive and timely real-life presentation

"The Basics: Transporting Students with Disabilities"
Whether you're new to transporting students with special needs, or a seasoned operator: this presentation will give you the primer and basics needed to understand the nature, needs and characteristics of students with disabilities

"Student/Behavior Management"
Sometimes our biggest challenges and not the students we transport, but the behavior they exhibit and our reaction to those behaviors.  The most successful rides to/from school are those where the challenges are met by personnel who understand the root cause of that behavior.  This important topic will give tips, tricks and de-escalation techniques that can be used on a daily basis.

Service Animals and Transportation

In this course, participants will learn the prevalence of disability and why access matters. This course defines service animals and the rights and responsibilities of service animal handlers under the ADA, as well as the differences between service animals, emotional support animals, and therapy animals. We will also discuss service animal topics as they relate to transportation environments. There will be time for question and answer at the end of each session.

Fundamentals of teaching for trainers

This class is designed for school bus driver trainers or anyone who wants to enhance their instructional skills and learn effective teaching techniques. The course focuses on both fundamental and advanced teaching strategies, ensuring that trainers can effectively engage their audience and deliver impactful lessons.

Participants will learn the basics of creating professional and engaging PowerPoint presentations, including structuring content effectively and avoiding common mistakes such as reading directly from slides. The class will also emphasize strong presentation skills, such as maintaining eye contact, using body language effectively, moving around the room to keep attention, and encouraging class participation. Trainers will explore strategies for engaging adult learners and making training sessions interactive and dynamic.

Additionally, the course covers professional communication skills, including how to craft clear and professional emails. Whether participants are new to training or have been in the role for years, they will gain valuable tools and techniques to refine their teaching approach, improve their confidence in front of a class, and elevate their ability to train school bus drivers effectively.

ALLISON TRANSMISSION CLASS

Transmissions – Allison - This course on Allison Transmissions will include strategies to diagnose and troubleshoot Allison 1000, 2000, and 3000 series transmissions; use and implementation of prognostics; and how to navigate Allison Doc. This class will get into common problems with school bus transmissions.

ASE School Bus Certification Work Shop

This workshop will be a step-by-step guide for taking and passing the ASE School Bus Certifications.  Selecting a School Bus test, Number of questions, Test timed, In Depth look at the 4 different question styles.  Sample questions, Taking the test on a computer.  Closing with general test taking tips.

The CDE Annual Inspector class

The CDE Annual Inspector class is geared toward current Techs that are looking to become a CDE Certified Annual Inspector, this is not a certification class. The class will cover the basic process of becoming an Annual Inspector as well as the expectations of a CDE Certified Annual Inspector. We will review the materials and resources perspective Inspectors can and will use to prepare for the written test as well as the Hands-on portion of the test. We will also cover the requirements of Annual Inspectors as written in Rule, and the expectations of Inspectors files during STAR reviews. There will be no Certificates issued at this class as participants will still be required to complete the 100 question Annual Inspector Qualification test as well as completing the Hands-On portion of their testing before completing the STU-20 CDE Application for Annual Inspector Qualification or Re-Certification (PDF) and submitting it to CDE. No testing will be performed at this class, it is informational only. 

The CDE Hands-On Tester class

The CDE Hands-On Tester class is a recertification class, it is geared toward current CDE Certified Annual Inspectors that have held the position of Annual Inspector for a minimum of two years in good standing and are taking the step of becoming a CDE Certified Hands-On Tester. It is also setup for current Hands-On Testers who have been unable to complete Two Hands-On Tests in the past Three years to fulfill their requirements for recertification. In this class we will review the requirements and the expectations of becoming a CDE Certified Hands-On Tester, we will introduce materials and practices used by current Hands-On Testers to perform the testing process. There will be no Certificates issued at this class as participants will still be required to fill out the STU-30 CDE Application for Qualification or Re-Certification of Annual Inspector Hands-On Tester (PDF) and submit it to CDE after completion of the class.

Thomas bus class

Multiplex and Electrical Systems:

             C2 multiplex function and operation

             Multiplex diagnostics

             Analog Electrical Systems

             Thomas Electrical Systems overview

             Customer Web Resources and Training.

International 

- Navistar technologies how to navigate and use them.  NED DLB NavKal Oncommand Service Information 

- Aftertreatment DOs and DON'Ts and overview

-PSI Propane Overview

Blue Bird 

Blue Bird Vantage Presentation-

How to-

• Lookup warranty information!

• Navigate and look up wiring diagrams!

• Lookup Service Manual!

DEF system related faults and Abnormal Update Rate issues on Blue Bird Cummins buses

• Provide an overview because Blue Bird did participate with TSB to reprogram ECM!

• Present overview of preventative maintenance items to aid with repeat failures!

• Provide hand-out of recommended inspection and repair steps!

Break 10 min

Basic Introduction for new NEA multiplex wiring on Blue Bird buses.

• Overview of new System and module locations!

• How to look up information for switches and switch covers!

• Open discussion Q&A related to NEA system!

New Products and updates-

• Electric bus Q&A!

• Propane/Gasoline- New Godzilla Ford 7.3L V-8 engine!

• Blue Bird Academy- Vantage Training Overview!

Allison Transmission 

Transmissions – Allison - This course on Allison Transmissions will include strategies to diagnose and troubleshoot Allison 1000, 2000, and 3000 series transmissions; use and implementation of prognostics; and how to navigate Allison Doc. This class will get into common problems with school bus transmissions.

Bendix 

1. Air valves in the brake system

2. Balance & Threshold testing (testing the brake system valves)

3. Disk and Drum brake maintenance and operation

We did not secure any blocks at the hotels in the area as we did not know what he need would be. There is one hotel on site, the Maverick Hotel, and it runs about 250 a night. There are plenty of other options in the area that offer rooms for the 150/night cost and are highly rated.