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Valders teacher Robert Evans instructs junior Meghan Oswald.
By Ryan Hurley
WEAC PR/comm summer intern
Driver's education programs throughout the state are becoming road kill, thanks to state-imposed revenue caps and an inadequate system of funding public education in the state.
Starting in Fall 2004, many public school students in Wisconsin will have to pay a higher fee for driver's education courses or take the lessons privately.
The state has discontinued its $100-per-student driver's education aid. The loss of state aid, combined with budget shortfalls, is forcing some districts to substantially increase fees for driver's education or eliminate the program completely.
One school district that was forced to eliminate its program is Milton. Its students can take a private driver's education course for $285. The Milton School District's program cost students $150. "It is sad to see it go," said Daniel Simenson, who taught the course for 29 years and is a member of the Milton Education Association. "Driver's education teaches very valuable lessons and life skills."
The cuts come at a time when traffic fatalities on Wisconsin roadways are on the rise. In 2003, Wisconsin recorded 838 traffic accident fatalities, the highest since 1981. In response, lawmakers lowered the legal blood alcohol level to .08%, but may have added to the problem by cutting aid for driver's education programs.
"I require a lot of time and effort out of my students until they show me they are mature enough to drive," said Robert Evans, a member of Valders Education Association and driver's education teacher at Valders High School. Evans is concerned that some private driver's education companies won't provide students with the knowledge and training they would receive from a classroom environment taught by a veteran teacher. The Valders School Board has decided to keep the program, but raised student fees from $175 to $275.
Madison public schools will no longer offer driver's education as a part the regular curriculum. The decision came after school board members realized they would lose nearly $96,000 in state aid toward the program. The program's enrollment dropped heavily last year when the school board doubled the regular fee for driver's education from $150 to $300.
Four Lakes Driving School in Madison already teaches about 60% the city's teen-agers how to drive and expects a large increase in students because four high schools are discontinuing their programs. The average price for lessons at Four Lakes is just under $400 per student.
Some schools have moved their driver's education classes to summer and will provide behind-the-wheel instruction after school during the year. This shift can pose difficulties for both students and instructors and their conflicting schedules, said Jerrold Dougherty, member of Royall Education Association.
"Some students might have to chose to go out for football or drive after school," he said. Dougherty has been the driver's education teacher at Royall High School for 29 years. The Royall School District will offer driver's education classes during the summer and will charge students $250 for a program that was previously offered at no charge.
Posted July 29, 2004