A lack of a driver’s education program in Emporia has some parents questioning why the program was halted in Emporia USD 253. Driver’s education was not offered this year and was canceled last year after only five students signed up for the course.
Ann Bowman, parent of a 15-year-old daughter, said she is disappointed the school district doesn’t offer the program anymore.
Now, parents either have to teach their children how to drive or send them to a driver’s education class out of town. Topeka, at about an hour away, is the closest.
“I just think it’s so important,” Bowman said.
She said her daughter is four months away from driving legally and added that she doesn’t feel comfortable letting her drive to Emporia High School, which is about five miles from their home.
Nancy Horst, director of community relations for Emporia USD 253, said the reason for the absence of a driver’s education program is a lack of interest after the fees were increased the past few years.
USD 253 has a budget process called performance-based budgeting, where members of the community participate and suggest recommendations. In 2006, the community suggested to have the driver’s education program be self-sustaining.
The fee increased the next two years to meet that suggestion, and in the summer of 2008, the fee for the program was $400 per student. Horst said that summer participation in the program dropped by 40 percent, and the school district attributes the decline in enrollment to the increase in cost.
Driver’s education was also offered in the summer of 2009, but was canceled because only five students were enrolled in it, Horst said.
It was not offered this summer.
Kathy Toelkes, director of communications and recognition programs at the Kansas State Department of Education based in Topeka, said 87 percent of school districts in Kansas offer a driver’s education course. She said that’s a drop of 4 to 5 percent over the past seven to eight years.
And teens who want to get a driver’s license don’t necessarily need to take a driver’s education course.
According to state statute, drivers age 14, 15 and 16 can get a farm permit if they reside or work on a farm larger than 20 acres. They can get that permit by passing vision, knowledge and driving examinations, or by taking a driver’s education course.
The same age group can also get an instruction permit if they pass vision and knowledge examinations, or have completed a driver’s education course.
Those 15 years and older can get a restricted license if they have written application of a parent or a guardian, have held a photo instruction permit for at least one year and completed at least 15 hours of supervised driving. A driver’s education course is required for 15-year-olds who want to get a restricted license, but not for 16-year-olds.
To receive a full license, teens must complete 50 hours of driving time, including 10 hours at night. They must either pass a vision, knowledge and driving exam or have taken driver’s education.
In Bowman’s case, her husband, Darrell, is teaching their daughter, Bethany, how to drive. Bowman said she’d feel more comfortable if her daughter took a driver’s education course, and added that, in general, teens might listen to instructors more than their parents.
“I’m nervous about it. I don’t have an extra brake in the car,” she said.
She added: “You just want some sort of driver’s education for your child. I think there’s a lot of parents who feel the same way.”
Captain_Cheddar (anonymous) says...
Was any research put into this article at all, a 15-second web search showed me that Lebo (like 16 miles away) offers drivers education...meaning Topeka (an hour away) isn't the closest, and I'm sure that a more thorough search would yield more area schools closer than Topeka that offer drivers education. Wow, take some time to look at things.
August 6, 2010 at 11:33 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
My dad took me out on the country roads and with the help of a few beers, (Him. not me) got the basics down pat.
Then on to a residential street on a couple of Sundays, to practice parking. Passed the test with flying colors. And I think kids will listen more, and retain more from their parents than a teacher.
August 6, 2010 at 12:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sherryh (anonymous) says...
Captain - do you know if your child has to be a member of the school district in Lebo in order to participate in the classes....I tried looking it up and could not find anything about Lebo and driving education. Maybe I am not typing in the same thing in the search engine.
August 6, 2010 at 12:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lets_get_reasonable (anonymous) says...
So they no longer offer Driver's Ed at the ESU anymore either? Because that's where I took it, and that was only four years ago. Comparing the class I took to the ones my friends took at the high school, the one at the college was by far better. According to my friends, my class was getting in a lot more hours of actual driving. A lot of parents don't know that they even offered Driver's Ed at ESU (if they still do, that is) and it's a shame because it's also a considerable amount cheaper than the high school's as well.
August 6, 2010 at 12:29 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...
I bet Darrell does a fine job at teaching his daughter to drive. My parents taught me to drive and all was well. It was cheap too. Didn't cost the tax payers a dime. Coincidentally that was about the time my parents hair stated going gray. I'm sure the two aren't related. Relax Ann, Darrell's got this.
August 6, 2010 at 12:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
know_your_stuff (anonymous) says...
There is a reason not enough students signed up at EHS in 2009. The parents were never informed there was that option to take it here. The only kids signed up were from parents that are in "the loop". I know of 6 kids all taking drivers ed in Topeka and we are all paying close to $400.00. With the gas money, we could have actually saved by having it here. If EHS would inform parents, I am sure they could have had a class. ESU didn't have enough students sign up to learn how to teach driver's ed, so there was no one to teach the kids this year.
August 6, 2010 at 12:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
isn't driving a privilege, not a right?
Be a parent and teach your own kids these necessary skills.
Don't like the insurance rates, get a different company and have the kid drive a clunker that only needs liability.
Still can't afford it, let the kid work and earn their own money, the Gazette and McDonalds are always hiring. It helps build the kids self esteem.
August 6, 2010 at 1:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...
You know .... come to think of it I think it was around the time my parents were teaching me to drive they started hanging out at the Town Royal. Another coincidence? Wait a minute .... I just figured something out ....... Steve made my parents hair go gray.
August 6, 2010 at 1:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
emporian (anonymous) says...
I think the small schools offer it only to their students. I have seen a USD 252 vehicle driving around with student driver on it.
August 6, 2010 at 1:52 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
serious,
Could be, could be. :-)
August 6, 2010 at 3:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
My father had me late in his life so he was already 60 years old when he taught me to drive. Bless him and his patience. Yes, his hair began to grey quite quickly from that point on.
August 6, 2010 at 3:34 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
oh4theluvof (anonymous) says...
Have you tried family or individual counseling?
Parents are teachers. If your kid is a teen and you don't feel qualified for the job yet, ask a professional for help. If your relationship with your kid is that weak, get some professional help. If your marriage is so shaky that you don't trust your spouse to ensure his own child's safety with thorough teaching, get professional help.
If you are just too dependent on public programs (which I'd put my money on in this case), well......I'm sorry, but you're just going to have to pony up the money by yourself, ask a trusted friend with good driving skills for a favor, or just teach the kid yourself.
Besides, who's ultimately more invested in the safety and longevity of your kid? Her parents or a driving instructor? I bet your kid could tell you. (if she can't, get some professional help!)
August 6, 2010 at 3:55 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bingo (anonymous) says...
o4theluvof-
My daughter was learning with my husband and me as the parents in this article are doing. However, she took Driver's ED in Topeka as well and scored a 57% on the pre-test. At the end of the class, a 98% was her score. Majority of the class, all from different areas, had improved by this much or more too. Kids and parents may think they know what they are doing, but the test results show me all I need to know.
August 6, 2010 at 5:16 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
oh4theluvof (anonymous) says...
FarmRaised:
Thanks, I liked yours too. Savvy? ☺
bingo:
With all due respect, I'm wondering what the parents of all those kids would've scored on the pre-test.
I guess I should think about cashing in on this idea and starting up a local private driver's-ed.
August 6, 2010 at 5:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bingo (anonymous) says...
good idea, that's all anybody's asking! :)
August 6, 2010 at 5:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
momoftwo (anonymous) says...
Re: the classes at Lebo...No, you don't have to live in the district to sign up. If there's room in the class, they will allow out of district students as well.
August 6, 2010 at 5:54 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Captain_Cheddar (anonymous) says...
What I saw showed both an in-district and out of district price at Lebo. If only their were a global new entitity with good connections that could have listed the area schools with Drivers Ed, LOL
August 6, 2010 at 6:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
doubt_it (anonymous) says...
Some parents got tired of having to pay the full price at EHS for driver's education while other students were allowed to use the free or reduced scale to pay for the same course. Then the class was filled with the students that were able to use the free or reduced scale and no room was left for the actual paying students. Plus it was only offered for summer school.
August 6, 2010 at 9:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Pinkpintopony (anonymous) says...
So my son will be 16 this fall. I taught him how to drive out on Country roads back home in Idaho a few years ago. He doesn't have much in town experience though. If I wish to be the person to give him drivers education training...how do I go about doing that? I assume he would need a learners permit first. I have been trying to find out online since reading this article, but I haven't been able to gather any reliable info. I am all for being the one to teach him ( and it would save me some sweet cash). How do I get the ball rolling?
August 6, 2010 at 9:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
truthornot (anonymous) says...
To pinkpintopony: you can go to ksrevenue.org and go under vehicles to driver license to find you information. Or you can call the office Tues-Friday, from 7:10 -5:15. The number is 342-5146. Hope this helps.
August 6, 2010 at 11:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
koach52 (anonymous) says...
I also feel that a Driver Education program for Emporia is needed. This is not to slight parents at all. I feel that the new laws requiring parents to drive with their parents is a great law that gives some responsibility to the parent to give that student individualized driving training. A class though exposes students to areas that even parents may not know, have forgotten or have developed their own bad habits. A Driver Education car and anyone that teaches Driver Education for pay is required to have a secondary brake in the car. This is of course not only for the safety of the student but for the safety of those others on the streets and highways. With that break a teacher is allowed to let the student go a little further into a mistake before bailing the student out. (Example) student approaches a four-way stop at Rural street with parent/teacher ....who early starts giving the student clues to be sure to stop. In a Driver Education car the instructor may wait a long time to see when that student notices (if ever) the approaching stop sign. This is a better learning situation, the safety of the brake lets instructors monitor students ability to anticipate situations. The instructor can even feel with his brake foot as the student applies the brake and how much is being applied. All of this is a much better scenario and safer setting for learning, especially skills like city driving, paralell parking, and turning from highway speeds onto a gravel road.
August 7, 2010 at 12:33 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
koach52 (anonymous) says...
New drivers while pulling into angle parking spaces will often punch the wrong pedal, that is the accelerator at the time they need a brake. An instructor will anticipate this and keep the car from driving through the window at Graves Drugs, Crawford furniture, several convenience stores and Family video to name a few that have had cars driven through the front walls or windows. Some parents are NOT equipped for teaching driving skills and unfortunately some teen -parent relationships are not conducive to a good learning environment. For that new driver .......the scenario is often a very nervous over reactive parent, thus the student is often much more nervous learning with a parent than learning with an instructor who anticipates, has patience and has a secondary brake.
This is a lifetime skill and a lifesaving skill that has more importance than some seem to give it. Teen drivers need a structured, sequential way to learn ALL of the basic driving skills and laws. Not all parents can provide these things. Many parents can play catch with their kid in the yard but that may not make him a great baseball player. There is a void right now in this town for students to have the opportunity to get these skills. Technically parents you can even short cut the required supervised hours that your student needs by bogus record keeping. Is it a license that is your goal or is it a safe driver. I say bring driver education back to the schools. If a kid doesn't know how to make change, about the worst that can happen is he will get fired from his job at McDonalds.......what is the worst thing that can happen to that kid if he has poor driving skills and knowledge. I say that this is negligence by this community to NOT have available training for students. JMO
August 7, 2010 at 12:35 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
nmse_s (Shannon Standard) says...
I learned how to drive by taking my brother's old girlfriend's car (which was standard transmission) and went joy riding around the streets of the town I lived in playing cat and mouse with other responsible teenage drivers. I also learned by taking my mom's car out joy riding one night and then got caught....lesson learned.
Seriously though (not directed at you serious)...driving is a delicate lesson in life kids learn. I will not pay $400 for my child to learn to drive when that's my responsibility as a parent. Parents just need to spend a few hours out of their busy week to do something we've forgotten to do in the last 20 years...spend time with your kids!! Countless stories have been told over the years of individuals learning to drive by their parents on back roads or in small towns and how much that time meant to these people. It's just the child and their parent...good quality time!!
August 7, 2010 at 1:53 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
REWBA (anonymous) says...
Look, for half of what anyone else charges to teach your kids how to drive, I'll teach you kid to hot-wire a car and crack the column. Trust me! If a kid can steal a car, the kid will learn to drive by his/her self. Heck, for an additional fee I'll teach them how to deal with the "Pit Maneuver" and put the cop in the ditch.
August 7, 2010 at 2:44 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Pinkpintopony (anonymous) says...
@ Truthornot..Thanks for the info! That helps! As for the other comments....Drivers Education training by an official would be my first choice. Since that's not an option here in Emporia, I feel comfortable doing it myself. Going to Topeka is NOT an option. I go there once a month already for my sons orthodontist appointments. Not a fan of that town. When our kids are out driving on their own, or with parents in the car, there is no 2nd brake pedal. My only ( sibling) sister ran a stop sign and was killed by an oil tanker a week after she got her drivers license. My son was 3 at the time. He is now almost 16 and I have a 10 year old girl. I talk in the car. I have been telling them about driving since they were toddlers in car seats. They know you don't change lanes in the middle if an intersection. They know you can't pass on a solid line. They know how to navigate a 4 way stop.Getting into the left hand lane on an interstate when a vehicle is pulled over, etc. My 10 year old daughter points out when drivers make mistakes and she is always spot on. Does that mean I would turn my kids willy nilly out on the streets. Heck no! I am comfortable teaching them how to drive though and I know they would be comfortable learning how to drive with my instruction.
August 7, 2010 at 2:57 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
oh4theluvof (anonymous) says...
"Some parents are NOT equipped for teaching driving skills..."
Then those parents are also not equipped to be licensed at all.
I've harped on this on these forums before, but who here knows how to handle an unmarked intersection...or even to watch for them?
A large percentage of our licensed drivers do not.
nmse_s:
Right on!!! Driving lessons as a tool to build/deepen that relationship. Who'da thunk??
Pink..pony:
I like your style. Learning is a process, not a few scheduled lessons. My kids are also learning to recognize rude and unsafe drivers (fortunately? I have lots of examples in this town to point to) and they know that I will expect them to take driving very seriously when it comes time.
bingo:
Why are you okay with me doing it and charging you money rather than refreshing your own knowledge base and doing it yourself? You act as if that's what you think you need....someone else to do it for you.
Steve,
Yes, driving is a privilege, not a right. It's something kids have to earn....maybe a good first step is to be willing to listen to and obey their parents' instruction? Nah, probably not. That's not how things work most places anymore.
August 7, 2010 at 3:41 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
nks (anonymous) says...
"USD 253 has a budget process called performance-based budgeting, where members of the community participate and suggest recommendations. In 2006, the community suggested to have the driver’s education program be self-sustaining. "
This statement makes me laugh. The PBB comm. that I was involved in was basically this.. we showed up and were discretely "directed" as to where the cuts were wanted. In my case, any ideas that were brought up that were not popular with the school officials were pushed aside or to the back burner.
August 7, 2010 at 6:53 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
radioGaGa (anonymous) says...
My kidos are nine and eleven and they still can't walk or talk because the mechanics of the human body are so complicated that I just don't feel qualified to teach them. I wish someone else that knows what they're doing would step up and do this for me. At their age they are getting a little too large for the double stroller and it's hard to push. People look at me strangely in the Wal-mart and I ask them who taught their kids to walk and talk and they just roll their eyes and walk away. Nobody wants to help! I look around and I see everybody just walking and talking and I know somebody must have taught them BUT WHO?!?!? MAN, I WISH I COULD REMEMBER WHO TAUGHT ME TO WALK AND TALK!!! I really wish someone would do something about this! I also wish someone would do something about how fat I am. If someone else doesn't do this stuff, who will?!?
August 7, 2010 at 8:05 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Bravo koach 52, well said, especially your last comment, " I say that this is negligence by this community to NOT have available training for students."
And that program should not have to be self-sustaining either. Make it a part of the curriculum just like anything else that would require Kansas learning standards be applied. No one can tell me that Driver's Ed course requirements CANNOT be put on a grid that would lend itself to Kansas standards either because with just a little bit of research, they can. It's all relative.
This district has cut corners so drastically that we now have a circle, and we all know what happens in a circle.
C'mon USD 253, return the Driver's Ed course. You are being negligent and irresponsible otherwise!!!
August 7, 2010 at 8:11 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...
C'mon parents, invest in your own children and teach them to drive yourself. You are being negligent and irresponsible otherwise!!! You can do it! Don't believe the hype that only teachers can teach.
August 7, 2010 at 8:52 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
doubt_it (anonymous) says...
When I was a freshman in high school, it was a requirement to take driver's education just as it was a requirement to take health. One semester was for driver's education and the other sememster was for health. All freshman were required to do this. It took 1/2 the class the first semester, then we switched classes the 2nd semester. We learned how to check the oil and change a tire along with all the appropriate driving skills. We took the driver's education car to all out of town school functions so that the kids could get the proper driving experiences (day or night; in town or country). It was great. My mother had also taken my sister and I out on the country roads for driving lessons prior to this, so we ended up with the best of both worlds. It did not cost $400 (or any extra monies) to take the course that was a school requirement. I say bring back the driver's education as a required class and keep the cost down.
August 7, 2010 at 9:31 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
koach52 (anonymous) says...
It is a combination of the two that makes the best driver. That is why even with Driver Education the student is required to log supervised driving. Those of you that think that EVERY parent is qualified to teach their student to drive, must also think that EVERY parent can teach their student, chemistry, physics, advanced math or even wood shop. This is an important skill and a great deal of knowledge is provided by an instructor that sees different driving situations every day and can anticipate a students problems. In a class students are required to reach a certain level of proficiency in a long list of competencies. They work through a checklist that can be provided to the parent so that the parent can work with that student also. Too often a student and their parent can have a BAD experience while out on an early drive. Now the parent loses confidence in the student and the student in turn is nervous about driving with the parent. This may actually delay the driver attaining necessary skills. Most students can reach competency within 6 hours of a driver education class. They are not perfect drivers at that point, but continued coaching by a parent on the identified areas provided by the instructor give the kid the best chance to be successful. The two main factors in developing a safe driver , are attitude and experience. If they can get that base experience from an instructor, and supplement it with help from a caring parent, they have the best chance to survive the teen years of driving. Auto accidents by students in their teen years is by far the number one killer of our youth. If you take out hand guns, which is second, auto accidents kill our teens more than ALL other causes combined. Perhaps it would be a good investment in our youth. I would not discourage any parent from working with their kid on the necessary skills, but to think that all of these parents are equipped to do so or to think that the same parents who seldom see or talk to their kids will take this responsibility, is not thinking realistically. There are students in our schools that are even getting their license so that they can provide transportation for their parents and their siblings. Lets give these people that share the roads with the rest of us the best chance to be successful.
.
August 7, 2010 at 10:37 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
koach52 (anonymous) says...
I don't think the class should have to be self -sustaining, but I believe it can be, and for less than $400. Keep in mind you have a minimum of 6 hours of driver instructor time. Lets look at some of the real costs and ball park them.
6 hours of instructor time ..... 125.00
30 hours of classroom.............50.00
Insurance for the auto.................?
Tags for the auto..........................?
Leased auto..or depreciation .........
Textbooks...................................
Gasoline for 6 hours minimum....25.00.?
These are approximates and of course there may be some other hidden costs. The real problem is that schools used to be reimbursed a large part of the cost by the state and that does not happen now.
It does seem to me that at $400 the program should be self-sustaining.
August 7, 2010 at 10:39 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...
WASHINGTON—According to a report released Monday by the U.S. Department of Education, an increasing number of American parents are choosing to have their children raised at school rather than at home.
Deputy Education Secretary Anthony W. Miller said that many parents who school-home find U.S. households to be frightening, overwhelming environments for their children, and feel that they are just not conducive to producing well-rounded members of society.
Thousands of mothers and fathers polled in the study also believe that those running American homes cannot be trusted to keep their kids safe.
"Every year more parents are finding that their homes are not equipped to instill the right values in their children," Miller said. "When it comes to important life skills such as proper nutrition, safe sex, and even basic socialization, a growing number of mothers and fathers think it's better to rely on educators to guide and nurture their kids."
"And really, who can blame them?" Miller continued. "American homes have let down our nation's youth time and again in almost every imaginable respect."
According to the report, children raised at home were less likely to receive individual adult attention, and were often subjected to ineffective and wildly inconsistent disciplinary measures. The study also found that many parents expressed concerns that, when at home, their children were being teased and bullied by those older than themselves.
In addition to providing better supervision and overall direction, school-homing has become popular among mothers and fathers who just want to be less involved in the day-to-day lives of their children.
"Parents are finding creative ways to make this increasingly common child-rearing track work," Miller said. "Whether it's over-relying on after-school programs and extracurricular activities, or simply gross neglect,school-homing is becoming a widely accepted method of bringing children up."
August 7, 2010 at 10:48 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...
Despite the trend's growing popularity, Miller said that school programs are often jeopardized or terminated because shortsighted individuals vote against tax increases intended to boost educational spending.
"The terrifying reality we're facing is that the worst-equipped people you could possibly imagine may actually be forced to take care of their children," Miller said.
Parents who have decided to school-home their children have echoed many of Miller's concerns. Most said that an alarming number of legal guardians such as themselves lack the most basic common sense required to give children the type of instruction they need during crucial developmental years.
"It's really a matter of who has more experience in dealing with my child," Cincinnati- resident Kevin Dufrense said of his decision to have his 10-year-old son Jake, who suffers from ADHD and dyslexia, school-homed. "These teachers are dealing with upwards of 40 students in their classrooms at a time, so obviously they know a lot more about children than someone like me, who only has one son and doesn't know where he is half the time anyway."
"Simply put, it's not the job of parents to raise these kids," Dufrense added.
Though school-homing has proven to be an ideal solution for millions of uninvolved parents, increasingly overburdened public schools have recently led to a steady upswing in the number of students being prison-homed.
August 7, 2010 at 10:49 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bingo (anonymous) says...
100% agreed koach!
"It is a combination of the two that makes the best driver." BRAVO. Both are needed. I also like the fact you bring up that if every parent should be teaching their children to drive, every parent should teach chemistry, advanced math, ect. all your posts-well said.
p.s. oh4theluvof- I take it you were homeschooled?
August 7, 2010 at 12:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...
bingo- I take it you were school-homed?
August 7, 2010 at 12:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
REWBA (anonymous) says...
Grand Theft Auto 5 is due to be released this fall. Fat kids can sit in the safety of their bedroom and practice driving, wrecking, running from the cops, picking up hookers, hit and run, drive by shooting and other important thinks that parents and schools are not equipped to teach today's youth.
August 7, 2010 at 12:54 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...
Here's a question. Didn't these parents that aren't qualified to teach their kids anything get taught by the same education system that is now telling them that they aren't qualified? Should we really trust a system that doesn't even trust the product of their own work? It's like an airplane mechanic that is very proud that he or she repaired the plane and then says to everyone as they board it "Yeah .... I fixed the plane but I'm not sure if I would trust it to actually fly in the air. I think you'll be ok taxiing around on the tarmac for a bit but ..... well ....... you're not planning on actually taking off ..... are you?"
August 7, 2010 at 5:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Boom (anonymous) says...
Four-hundred dollars a student. That is crazy, it wouldn't matter if i wanted to take that class or not. There is no way at all my mom would pay that kind of money. When she could just teach me!!!!
August 7, 2010 at 6:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
oh4theluvof (anonymous) says...
"Those of you that think that EVERY parent is qualified to teach their student to drive, must also think that EVERY parent can teach their student, chemistry, physics, advanced math or even wood shop. "
First, of all, I never said every parent was qualified to teach it. I pointed out that those who aren't qualified to teach it shouldn't be qualified to do it. I also mentioned examples of why I believe that there are several unqualified yet licensed drivers on the road. Yes, many of them took driver's ed.
Second, I do not believe every parent is qualified to teach chemistry, physics, etc. UNLESS it is what they do every day. If it is something they do every day, then yes, I believe that they are perfectly capable of teaching it to their child. I fail to understand how someone who does something everyday can't teach it. Maybe I just have too high of expectations.
August 7, 2010 at 7:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
"Didn't these parents that aren't qualified to teach their kids anything get taught by the same education system that is now telling them that they aren't qualified?"
seriously, why do you always lump everything together? Nobody said ALL the parents aren't qualified. But you must admit, many parents aren't qualified because the one thing they lack, which is sorely required, is PATIENCE. Too many parents lose it and start screaming and yelling or worse yet, they just tell the kid to pull over and they themselves get behind the wheel and drive home. End of driving lessons and the kid is crushed. This happens more frequently than you think.
When my kids were old enough to begin driving, I myself had not yet had much experience with driving in the winter. So I enrolled them in the second semester driving course at EHS where they could learn winter driving from a professional.
And to take your educational system argument further, don't forget, our prisons are full of people who went to school with you and me. Does that make us criminals? Court services here in town serves many, many people who have problems with drugs and alcohol. Many have lost driving priveleges for good. Are they not the products of our educational system? Does that make you and me druggies and drunks?
August 8, 2010 at 8:38 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
oh4theluvof (anonymous) says...
"But you must admit, many parents aren't qualified because the one thing they lack, which is sorely required, is PATIENCE. Too many parents lose it and start screaming and yelling or worse yet, they just tell the kid to pull over and they themselves get behind the wheel and drive home. End of driving lessons..."
And as far as I'm concerned, those are the parents who can either pay a private driving tutor, ask a friend for a favor, man/woman up and discipline themselves into being patient or get some help for their problem. I don't feel compelled to provide public funding for them on this unnecessary skill.
August 8, 2010 at 8:53 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
I have one question. Do these " Driver Education Classes " teach the kids that it is not " SAFE " to drive while talking or texting on a cell phone ? If not, then it should not be called " Driver Education ", it should be called simply " Driving " ..... But of course the kids see Mom & Dad talking or texting, etc, etc, while driving, so I guess its O.K., right !
Someone mentioned that driving is a privilege not a right . Putting someone elses well being at risk by talking or texting on a cell phone while driving, is definately not a " Right " or "Privilege " ...
August 8, 2010 at 9:02 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
koach52 (anonymous) says...
Of course these classes teach the dangers of talking on cells and texting while driving. Also the dangers of alcohol and drugs while driving, dangerous weather condition driving, under hood maintenance, how to change a tire, highway driving, interstate driving, rural driving, evasive manuevers and traffic laws as well as other things. Not sure of why some of you are ignoring the fact that I said that the best system is the combination of both. Parents do have a responsibility to teach their students but some prefer not to and frankly some just shouldn't. I am speaking to the idea of the parents having an option to get a very good base knowledge and skill for you to expand on. I am addressing the idea that the secondary brake makes that a safer and more relaxed setting for learning. LIke public education in general, some will choose not to use it and I respect that. I do feel however that there is real merit in having your student take Driver Education. I wish that there was a way to do it much cheaper but as I pointed out the instructor cost alone would be at least $125.
It is fine if you "do not feel compelled to provide public funding for them on this unnecessary skill". Then don't. But you and that friend are putting others at risk as much as "texting does" by not providing the safety base that a class does. Driver Education courses also, as in texting, teach not to exceed the speed limit, however many of those that take the class will CHOOSE to do so. Does that mean the system is flawed. If you drive at all you KNOW that there are many unqualified or unskilled drivers. Many lack even the "rules of the road". Yes, driving is something that they do every day but it does not mean that they will be a successful teacher of driving skills. Many of us speak, read and write every day so obviously we are qualified to teach English and literature.
August 8, 2010 at 10:04 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
REWBA (anonymous) says...
When my kids were at that age there was never space available in the driver education courses at the public school. I provided the same driver training program to my children that I taught my Soldiers. I even issued them certificates so that they could claim the driver education deduction on their insurance. Of course not every parent is an Army Master Driver but the same tools that I use are available online https://safety.army.mil/drivertrainin...
August 8, 2010 at 10:26 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...
My wife and I taught our children to walk, talk, read, write, brush their teeth, use the toilet, etc. Even though I do these thing everyday I guess I should have consulted with a real teacher before my amateur hour attempts at raising my kids.
August 8, 2010 at 1:23 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
A couple of questions, arm raised, waving.
Monica Springer, the author of the piece said,
"A lack of a driver’s education program in Emporia has some parents questioning why the program was halted in Emporia USD 253."
How many parents? 2, or 3, or 500?
koach52,
You sound like you are looking for a teaching job. Grin, Grin.
I do disagree with your opinion that,
"I say that this is negligence by this community to NOT have available training for students."
Negligence, not!
Budget restraint, yes.
koach52 estimates of costs left out a few things.
His list:
6 hours of instructor time ..... 125.00
30 hours of classroom.............50.00
Insurance for the auto.................?
Tags for the auto..........................?
Leased auto..or depreciation .........
Textbooks...................................
Gasoline for 6 hours minimum....25.00.?
These are approximates and of course there may be some other hidden costs
Hidden costs would include;
English as second language for immigrant students.
Specially equipped vehicles for handicapped students.
A special driving range for high speed driving skills. (NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND)
At least 1 more administrator plus a secretary for running the classes.
I think we all know how these things end up.
So in this economy, drivers ed is not a neccessary required course.
Maybe when things get better, we can make the class mandatory and upon graduation all students will be given a framed diploma and a new car. Now that would be great.
August 8, 2010 at 3:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
koach52 (anonymous) says...
seriously........seems to pick the one point out of 10 to attempt to make their point. Again I am not putting down your efforts to teach YOUR kid whatever you feel qualified to teach them. I hope that when your kid is doing their homework that you are able to help provide them with additional information and skills and if so your kid is getting the best of both worlds. I am also not putting down anyone else for feeling that they would be better served to have someone else teach their kid these skills. I again am saying that there should be an option for those that think it can be done better by a third party. There is a reason that insurance for your NEW driver is more expensive than mine. Because all insurance is based on EXPERIENCE. Insurance experience with that particular age group statitically says, that they have more accidents, cause more injury and suffer more deaths than ANY other age group. That is why their rates are more. If left -handed red heads were statistically having more accidents and costing insurance companies more money their rates would likely be higher.
I respect your right to educate your kid, I am not wrong to think that there is a good chance that some would not make good driving teachers or would not choose to teach their kid. That does not make them bad either. If you want to equate your teaching your kid to brush their teeth and use the toilet to teaching a kid to drive, even that is your right to do so. I have yet to see a high school student killed by another high school students bad hygiene. I am not challenging your right or even your ability to teach your kid to drive, I have not referred to your ability as being amateur, I have only supported that Driver Education programs do help prepare kids to drive, and in a safe, sequential way that provides for a base proficiency in a number of skills that have been identified by educators, insurance companies and law enforcement as being essential safety skills. May your children all be safe and defensive drivers.
As for "consulting with a real teacher before your amateur attempts".......I need a tree cut down in my back yard, my kid knows how to run a chain saw and can cut up firewood so I am not worried about him cutting down this large tree by the house. There is no need to educate any further. I know how to run that saw and cut firewood myself and I taught him.
August 8, 2010 at 4:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
koach52 (anonymous) says...
Steve .....my point on listing the costs was not to hide costs at all. As you pointed out the costs are considerable. You bring up good additional "hidden costs" of which I referred to. Some had referred to the $400 fee as high and I agree with that. It is a difficult price for parents to pay. My point was that the costs do add up quickly and those that were gasping at the figure might view it differently as it is broken down. I also agree that with budget cuts things have to go, but remember as you swing that sword you may cut through everything but reading, writing and math. We have other areas of schooling that we would not HAVE to keep. I did not suggest that it be mandatory, nor did I suggest that the school district offer it for free. I did suggest that it can be a great option especially for those kids that do not have the opportunity to get this from their parents.
August 8, 2010 at 4:39 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...
I know guys who know how to cut down trees. I know guys who have done it for a living. I know for a fact none of them were taught by professional teachers how to do so. They were taught by people who had done it for a while who were taught by people who had done it for a while that were taught by people who had done it for a while ......................... I was taught to drive by a couple of folks that had been driving for a while who were taught by a couple of folks who had done it a while who were taught by a couple of folks that had done it a while who were taught by a couple of folks that got tired of riding in a buggy behind a couple of horses.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JB29y...
"I need a tree cut down in my back yard, my kid knows how to run a chain saw" I think you and your progeny can get 'er done. I believe you can and encourage you to do so. Think of how you will bond over the experience. Then you two can bond more when you fix the fence. Good times, good times.
I personally like to encourage parents to be parents.
August 8, 2010 at 5:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
My friends came over to help me cut down a tree once. They did it for free , well except for the cost of 6 cases of beer. They had lot's of experience and I knew I would learn from that.
A nice Sunday afternoon project which I learned alot about cutting down trees and chain saws.
I also learned how to replace a broken window pane, take a dent out of the truck fender, and the art of applying a tourniquet to a nasty cut arm.
Oh the next door neighbor got a new fence and a dog out of the deal.
August 8, 2010 at 5:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
By the way this week I paid a professional to trim up my 40 some year old crabapple tree in the back yard.
At $500.00 it was still cheaper than me trying it myself. It's been a great weekend in Emporia.
August 8, 2010 at 5:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...
When I was in elementary school my dad volunteered(that means not paid) to be our soccer coach. He had never even played soccer before. We went to the library(that is one of those big buildings that the internet replaced) and he checked out some books on soccer.(checking out a book is the old time equivalent of Googleing and clicking on the appropriate link) He learned and taught us kids how to play soccer. I don't think we lost a game that year. I wasn't personally too interested in soccer and had nothing to do with any of those wins but it was cool to have my dad as the coach even though he was an amateur.
Then there was the time that my dad volunteered to help a buddy cut down a tree ............. that one didn't end so well. :-)
August 8, 2010 at 7:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...
I remember riding in my dad's truck and seeing him wave at somebody in a car approaching in the oncoming lane. I asked who that was, he said he didn't know them. He was just being friendly. A month or so later he was teaching me to mow the lawn. I saw someone driving up the road. I stopped mowing and ran to the edge of the road so I could wave at them. He taught me a lesson in that truck, it wasn't a driving lesson but it was a good one none the less.
August 8, 2010 at 8:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
REWBA (anonymous) says...
They sell chain saws at Bluestem Farm and Ranch and you don't even need a license or proof of insurance. I took out a bunch of big trees and only almost got killed twice.
August 8, 2010 at 9:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...
That's pretty good. Just remember, almost isn't dead. I find we learn the most when we narrowly escape the withered cold hand of death, when his sickle sweeps by us and lops off a digit or two but leaves us otherwise intact. You don't forget lessons like that.
August 8, 2010 at 9:36 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sunshine (anonymous) says...
I have to add my two cents on this one...I have four kids, and three of them are now driving. I took all of them out driving, not their dad since he makes the worst passenger ever and tends to get car sick when he is in the passenger seat. When teaching my step-daughter, I made it a point to let her drive every time we went out anywhere and her mom took her out driving in Topeka. She was a natural and took right to it, however, I would still have liked for her to take driver's ed to just have that extra instruction and experience, but it was too expensive at the time. She has now been driving for almost 4 years now and she is a great driver. The next two up were our older boys, just a year apart they were basically learning at the same time. I took them both out as often as possible just as I had my step-daughter.We made the oldest wait an extra year before getting his license because we didn't feel that he was ready. The youngest seemed to be a natural just like his step-sister, but I decided to make both of them take drivers ed. I hated to spend the money on it but in the long run I know it was the more responsible thing to do and would save us some money on our insurance as adding two teen boys was going just about send our rates through the roof no matter what ins. company we went with. I spent more than a year taking them out driving, but my step-son still didn't have the confidence he needed for me to feel comfortable with his and the rest of Emporia's safety. $800 was too much for me to spend on the class, so I called every surrounding school district and decided on Lebo. They are both now responsible and careful drivers. I can rest assured that I have done everything to ensure their and the general publics safety. I do feel that parents should be out their with their kids teaching them the rules of the road, but I also feel that it is just as important for parents to recognize when more is necessary. I felt it was necessary to enroll them in driver's ed. I took driver's ed when I was a kid thank goodness, because my dad made me nervous as hell and had me a nervous wreck. My dad was one of the most responsible drivers I ever knew, but he was not a teacher! He taught my mom to drive....barely. He almost scared her into not wanting to drive,he might have been an excellent driver but he did not have patience.
My point here is for all of you who are criticizing parents for not teaching their kids to drive. You might consider this:Who do you want out on the road with you and you driving teens? I don't want kids out there driving that don't have adequate training and little confidence. Stop being so critical of others, we all make the choices we do for various reasons and as a parent we are always wondering if our choices are the right ones. Who needs someone second guessing your parental decisions when we are already pretty tough on ourselves?
August 9, 2010 at 8:20 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
seriously, you just don't get it.
An amateur cutting down a large tree by a house? Not my house! That is just an accident waiting to happen.
I want a bonded professional tree guy to cut down a large tree that is right next to my house because I don't want a big branch to go snapping off into my window or any part of my house.
serious, you're just dead set against public education, and no amount of discussion will ever change your mind.
By your flippant attitude, you must not have kids old enough to be driving on their own, and you wonder if they're lying dead on a highway somewhere when they're a little late coming home some night. There's your dude with the sickle whispering in your ear.
August 9, 2010 at 9:49 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...
My kid is in public school. I am not against public school. I am more for parenting than I am public school. Public school should be a supplement to parenting(if needed) rather than the other way around. That is my opinion. I realize it is an unpopular opinion in today's culture of government dependence but it is my opinion none the less. I am a citizen of this country. I am a veteran. I believe I should have a right to my opinion and the freedom to express them. I apologize to those whom I offended in my attempts to encourage parents to be more involved in their kids lives. Apparently that is a very controversial thing to do. I hope that the lessons I learn in patience will teaching my kids things in their younger years will be useful when I am teaching them to drive in a few years.
August 9, 2010 at 10:22 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...
That should be "WHILE teaching my kids".
August 9, 2010 at 10:26 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
koach52 (anonymous) says...
You are entitled to your opinion as are others. You continue to mock those that would like a choice. Ann, (the lady in the article, said "I'm nervous, I don't have a second brake in the car." Her concern was that she did not feel that SHE could give her student driver the necessary skills needed, her concern was about doing what she felt would be best for her daughter. Making the choice to have an instructor does not make her a bad parent.....only a concerned parent with their kids interest in mind. She may have wanted her kid to swim as well but if she didn't feel like she could give her the tools she needs for that, would it be poor parenting to enlist an instructor. I know ........your dad just read a book about swimming and then threw you in the lake.
August 9, 2010 at 11:03 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...
How is encouraging parents to do the parenting for themselves mocking them? I think they can do more than what they think they are capable of. I started out by saying "I bet Darrell does a fine job at teaching his daughter to drive." Which I bet he can. I bet most of the folks that feel inadequate to teach there kids to drive aren't inadequate.
"I know ........your dad just read a book about swimming and then threw you in the lake."
Would this be an example of mocking?
August 9, 2010 at 11:33 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lyon (anonymous) says...
can anyone answer this for me? My child turns 15 in February. In order for her to get her restricted license, does she HAVE to have taken Drivers Ed? If not taken, will she have to wait til she's 16 to drive with out an adult?
Taking Drivers Ed in Olpe is $150, but you have to GET your child back and forth from Olpe every day for 3 weeks for a two hour class. Topeka is higher, but it is just a ONE day course.
August 9, 2010 at 11:47 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...
Wow, a horse with a swimming pool. You don't see that everyday. :-)
Warning! This comment contains some teasing that is meant as a joke. It was not the intention of the writer to mock folks that swim with their horses. It was just a lame attempt at humor. Some may appreciate it, others may not. The writer apologizes in advance if any one takes it as an attack on them or their character.
August 9, 2010 at 2:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...
sorry
August 9, 2010 at 2:12 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...
The writer should have said "The writer apologizes in advance if any one takes it as an attack on them , their character, or their horse."
The writer apologizes for this oversight.
August 9, 2010 at 2:16 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
lyon, pay the $150 and make the trip to Olpe each day for 3 weeks. First, look at the opportunity you'll have for ten miles worth of relating to each other. Before long, she can drive and get in a lot of practice driving time. Why not take a gravel road for a short distance just for the practice.
Second, since the course is longer, she will obtain so much more valuable information and practical training.
Third, it's a wonderful drive, especially in the Fall when sumac turns deep red and Osage orange ripens.
August 9, 2010 at 4:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tbluma (anonymous) says...
What is really sad is after the school goes to all the trouble to teach the kids about birth control, the kids don't have any place to practice because they won't teach them to drive.
August 9, 2010 at 4:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Now that's funny.
August 9, 2010 at 6:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )