The recently approved federal education law includes a provision that allows students to take alternative forms of transportation to and from school with parental permission.
"It’s now legal for your kids to walk to school," reports Lenore Skenazy.
"Yep, it’s right there on page 857 of the gazillion-page Every Student Succeeds Act. Sponsored by Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) — a fan of the Free-Range Kids movement I started," adds Skenazy, "it states that the law will not 'prohibit a child from traveling to and from school on foot or by car, bus, or bike when . . . the parents have given permission.'"
The article provides all the background on how it ever became a question of law to allow children to walk to and from school. Access to the debate on the subject can be found in the "Related" links below.
Angie Schmitt followed up on the scoop by Skenazy with coverage of the potential effectiveness of the federal legislation, surveying attorneys about whether "the new rule was likely to prevent local police departments from coming down on parents who allow their children to do things like walk to school and play unsupervised." Both lawyers Schmitt spoke to described limitations to the new law. Schmitt also spoke with Skenazy to get her take on how effective the law could be.
Charlie Sorrel also picked up on the news, writing for FastCo.Exist.
FULL STORY: Your kids can walk to school alone again
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School District Takes on Traffic Safety
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Should There Be a Minimum Age to Ride the Bus Unsupervised?
In a controversy that recalls the ongoing debate about "free range children," B.C.'s Ministry of Children and Family Development is telling one family that their kids aren't old enough to ride the bus alone.
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The VW Bus is Back — Now as an Electric Minivan
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Healing Through Parks: Altadena’s Path to Recovery After the Eaton Fire
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San Diego to Rescind Multi-Unit ADU Rule
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Electric Vehicles for All? Study Finds Disparities in Access and Incentives
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City of Albany
UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
City of Piedmont, CA
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research