A start to the new school year with a fresh breeze at seven in the morning, Macarius wakes up with excitement and dignity knowing that football tryouts are later that day! As Macarius continues throughout the school day, he then realizes tryouts are during the evening which creates a conflict because both of his parents are busy. Macarius has not taken driver’s training to receive his license yet. Struggling to figure out what he should do, Marcarius then has to walk to tryouts in the rain. These conflicts could have been avoided if Macarius had the resources to take driver’s training and afford a vehicle. There are many students with these same struggles.
Although driver’s training isn’t currently offered as a course at Loy Norrix, offering drivers training as a class students can take during their school day should be included as an option in the KPS curriculum.
The course being included would make drivers education more available to students who may have issues with after-school or summer instruction. The course being included in the school day could also make it more affordable for students, since the school would provide funding for the classes.
Forty-four LN staff members were polled 69% said that drivers training should be included into the curriculum and 15% unsure. Drivers training is very expensive, and if it’s during school, it won’t interfere with extracurricular activities,” said senior Zaraya Evans.
Mumford High School in Detroit, Michigan offered a driving range for adults and students. This was one of the first programs according to Bridge MI. Then in the late 1990s, Michigan schools began to eliminate free driver education programs.
“In the past, the certification process for drivers used to be handled by universities, when drivers education was provided by the schools. However, the process shifted once driver education was moved to a private business,” said drivers training instructor and Norrix science teacher Lynn Bumstead.
The cost for segment one can be up to $420 with segment 2 costing up to $85. Without the class, students have to teach themselves everything they need to know to become safe drivers or pay these steep prices for official training
“Drivers training is expensive for some families but not all families,” said senior Gracie Harris. “Some kids are left to pay for it themselves if their parents can’t afford it.”
The cost of living in Kalamazoo is 12% lower than the state average. Since many teens take these courses, the affordability of these programs comes into question. This is another reason why it should be included in the public school curriculum.
Another important reason for students to have formal drivers training is that the instructors know what knowledge should be focused on. Taking segment one and two will provide you with the most instruction, although the difference between taking driver education and not taking it, is the knowledge you will have about traffic laws, vehicle control, road signs, and safe driving habits.
During 2004, oversight responsibilities for drivers education was moved from the Michigan Department of Education to the Michigan Department of State, according to the State of Michigan. The curriculum has not been changed since.
Although there are many benefits of having drivers training taught at school, there are also drawbacks. Some people think that requiring driver’s training would take up valuable room in their schedule. Others, like English teacher Brianna English, think that there should be less emphasis on private transportation in general.
“We, as a whole nation, need to invest more in public transportation options so that we can lessen the amount of drivers on the road,” said English.
Public transportation has had a huge impact on how teens travel around the city. Metro buses provide great transportation at an affordable cost and would decrease the number of drivers on the road.
During after school hours, students can get a free bus token from the LN main office that provides one single ride to their desired destination. Accommodations can be made with an administrator for students to still receive a bus token if they are sent home or an altercation occurs during school.
The price for 250 fares can cost up to $350 according to Kalamazoo Metro. Public transportation is great, but it isn’t always the most convenient option, depending on location or time, which is why including drivers training in the school curriculum is important.
As for Macarius, drivers training being included into the school curriculum would be very accommodating for him to try out for the football team and easily make it to practice.
