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.
Read the full story: Your kids can walk to school alone again
How Seattle Achieved Safe Routes to School Goal
SDOT has installed safety improvements at more than 260 public schools since 2015.
School District Takes on Traffic Safety
A school district in North Carolina is leading an effort to improve road safety for students and school staff who walk or bike to school.
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.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour
If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.
Chicago breaks ground on $3 billion megadevelopment
The new neighborhood, titled Foundry Park, will one day host 3,700 residences.
California High-Speed Rail Authority CEO resigns after $600,000 scandal
Under Ian Choudri, the authority used taxpayer dollars to fund first class flights and trips to nightclubs.
Want to study the Missouri River? Soon, you may need unanimous approval from 10 states
Legislation would require 10 governors’ permission to study or build projects moving water outside the basin.
Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River
Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority