There was an article about how Italy is addressing this problem. They have school 'buses' which are actually adults walking with children to school.
an adult is assigned to pick the kids up and they all walk together to and from school every day. Those 1.5 mile kids would benefit greatly from a system llike that. Having an adult with the kids makes the "unsafe roads" thing more safe, and motorists CAN be trained (somewhat) to slow down when they see the kids walking.
THere are now bike racks at all of the schools in my area, but i have yet to see a bike in one!