First Student's Behavioral Support Program Yields Calmer Rides in Wichita
Event summary
- First Student's First Serves behavioral support program introduced lightweight silk scarves as sensory outlets for a student who frequently threw objects, improving ride safety and consistency.
- The local First Student team meets biweekly with Wichita Public Schools to assess student needs and develop innovative solutions.
- First Student completed 825 million student rides annually across North America in 2026.
- First Student was named one of Fast Company's 2025 Most Innovative Companies.
The big picture
First Student's initiative highlights the growing emphasis on behavioral support in student transportation, reflecting broader industry trends toward personalized education services. The collaboration with Wichita Public Schools underscores the strategic importance of partnerships between transportation providers and school districts to enhance student well-being and safety. With a fleet of 47,000 vehicles, including electric buses, First Student is positioning itself as a leader in innovative, mission-driven education support.
What we're watching
- Program Scalability
- Whether First Student can replicate the success of its First Serves program in other districts.
- Partnership Dynamics
- How the biweekly meetings between First Student and Wichita Public Schools will evolve to address new challenges.
- Innovation Adoption
- The pace at which other school districts adopt similar behavioral support programs for student transportation.
Our editorial coverage: