(US,education,slang) To participate in a special education program, such as for those with learning disabilities.
(US,pejorative) To have a need for a special education program, as though one were learning disabled.
2006, Mark Driscoll, Confessions of a Reformission Rev
...complete with golden shag carpet on the floor and Christian rock posters on the wall for the poor kids forced to ride the short bus of Christian culture...
2009, Micol Ostow, GoldenGirl
"Have you been riding the short bus, or something? You know what Us Weekly said about her."