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Barb.b
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| Posted: Aug 15 2012 at 7:44am | IP Logged
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I know this varies by state, but just want general info on how you all did it. My oldest we did an at home course (drivers ed in a box) and my (then) husband did the behind the wheel (not an option now). ANYWAY, I have been looking into local driving schools and am wondering how anyone does them for classroom time! THey seem to me 3 weeks - Monday through Friday of class time! Well, we don't have that many extracurriculars but there is her art class and possible science - I just don't see missing for drivers ed. So, my options are 1. us doing class room time at home with one of the many programs available and then going to a school for behing the wheel (ok - I admit I don't want to be behind the wheel with her until she has gotten through the initial learning phase!). 2. Search to see if some school has a twice per week class (I doubt it but I can search!)
How did you all do drivers ed!
Barb
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Barb.b
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| Posted: Aug 15 2012 at 8:15am | IP Logged
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Adding to my post: this is getting difficult! Now I DO plan to utilize some outside the home place for her behind the wheel. That stated, there seems to be additional behind the wheel needed to be done at home! HOW DO I DO THAT WITH A 9 YEAR OLD AT HOME TOO. Can't leave him home, NOT AN OPTION TO BRING HIM. Can't figure out what else to do with him!! Just moved into new neighborhood so I don't know anyone here (hoping its the Texas summer heat - but haven't met any kids here - not even too many go to the neighborhood pool - hope I'm wrong but they are appearing kind of snotty - no one has introduced themselves even!). SOOOO - guess I won't rush this as I have some real obstacles!
Barb
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SallyT
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| Posted: Aug 15 2012 at 8:45am | IP Logged
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In our state, you *have* to have a state-certified driver's ed course before you can even receive a learner's permit. Our oldest did a 6-week course through a private academy, which has since folded, which breaks my heart -- they were wonderful, and she really did learn a lot (as opposed to just doing time in a class at the public school, where -- from what I've heard -- the instructors often are just doing time, too). Her classes were only once a week, which was certainly manageable. By the time she got her learner's permit, she had already done enough behind-the-wheel time to be fairly proficient, and then she had a year to practice (here in NC, you also MUST have your permit for a calendar year before you can get your license, so she was 17 before she finally drove on her own).
I wish we could do driver's ed in a box, rather than dealing with the local high school, for our next in line, but that's not an option here. He's turning 15 in November (you can do driver's ed any time from the day you turn 14 and a half), and we want to get a move on, so he's not waiting as long as his sister did -- though waiting till she was 17 didn't kill her!
A lot of people here do driver's ed in the summer, when the classes aren't as heavily enrolled. I'm sort of wishing we'd done that this year -- just carved out those three weeks for the daily class and been done with it. We may well wind up doing that next summer if we can't get in any sooner. It does get harder to make that time once the school year starts, though I think there may be an option to do it once a week over a semester.
Those are the challenges in NC, anyway. Doesn't shed too much light on your situation, I'm afraid.
Sally
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SallyT
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| Posted: Aug 15 2012 at 8:58am | IP Logged
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Just an addendum -- if the class is only 3 weeks, then I would think it was totally worth it to make it work, and arrange other extracurricular things around it for that period of time. That's me, personally, anyway, not necessarily a prescription for what you should do. But I would jump at the chance to do it, get it done, and move on.
Sally
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Barb.b
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| Posted: Aug 15 2012 at 9:27am | IP Logged
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Well, yes on one hand it is good to get it done in 3 weeks. But she has art and it is on Thursday and we would have to miss 3 weeks in a row! Its is a local place that offers these classes - it is a priority here since she is good at art. Not sure how to miss 3 weeks in a row!
Also, I get leary of putting her in a car for behind the wheel alone with some stranger! Even if I find a good driving school - In texas I still need 20 hours of additional practice and REALLY don't see that happening as that is a long time (20 hours!) even spread out over a year - I have NO IDEA WHAT TO DO WITH MY 9 YEAR OLD!
Just might have to wait to do anything while I really research this!!!
Barb
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stacykay
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Well, talking from MI probably isn't much help, but, as far as classes go, they were consecutive days, but there were lots of options regarding times of day. If different times are offered in TX, then maybe that would work.
Here in MI, teens have to take segment 1, by a state-approved driver ed provider, get in a certain number of hours with the instructor (but these hours all have other students present in the car, too. You have to sign a form if you would allow the instructor to be alone with your child.,) pass a test, get permit from Sec. of State Office (our dmv,) then drive a required number of hours with guardian (I think it is 50 hours, and 10 of those must be night-time driving, plus a certain amount of tiem has to elapse, too,) then sign up and take segment 2, sign up and take road test with state-approved testing facility (pass it!,) and then you can get your license, as long as you are 16.
For the first two years, we also have "graduated" licenses. No one who is 16 is allowed to have more than 1 passenger in the car, while they are driving, who is not related. Since the incidence of accidents rises drastically with each additional teen passenger, the state has passed some strict rules. I love them, and my only complaint is that they have "allowances" for "school-sanctioned activities." I did not allow my boys, thus far, to have any passengers their first six months, and then only 1 for another year after that. Once they are 17, the rules are relaxed a bit. Well, maybe by the state, but we still are stricter than them!
When my oldest first got his license, there was a spate of horrific teen accidents with cars filled with kids, many with no survivors. Now, I am sure they happened before that, but my mother's heart listened with pain to each report.
One of the things they emphasized in, so far, our "first" three dss's classes is that parents are in complete control of that license and can make any rules they want for their children (ie. stricter than the state.) I was very happy with the company we used, and we are looking to go back there, next summer, for #4ds   .
I pray you find a good alternative for your dd!
In Christ,
Stacy in MI
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Barb.b
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| Posted: Aug 15 2012 at 8:29pm | IP Logged
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Well, I hope it works but I found a place in a neighboring town that offers a 2 day per week class for 8 weeks. That will work cause we can choose monday and wednesday and it will be good with our schedule. They offer the class and the required behind the wheel instruction. In texas you need 14 hours instruction behind the wheel and 20 additional practice hours. Most places include the 14 hour no option for the addition 20. This place you can pay for additional practice and count it toward the 20 hours! This is a plus because I don't think it appropriate for me to take her little brother in the car when she practices and we don't know anyone in our neighbor yet. So it gives me peace of mind knowing if we can't get the extra practice that there is an option! Now, hopefully the keep this 2 day option on their schedule! THey need at least 10 signed up and so far no one has! Guess I will get the ball rolling for them and sign up dd. They start in september, so there is time yet for others!
Barb
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Erica Sanchez
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| Posted: Aug 16 2012 at 4:16pm | IP Logged
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California - my oldest took an online class for 1 semester, a 6-hour behind the wheel training 'class' with a local driving school, and then had to log 60 hours of driving with an adult over 25. It took awhile to log those 60 hours and some had to be done at night, but overall it was very easy. The online class was done through our charter school.
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Erica in San Diego
(dh)Cash, Emily, Grace, Nicholas, Isabella, Annie, Luke, Max, Peter, 2 little souls ++, and sweet Rose who is legally ours!
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4Real Forums : High School Years and Beyond
Topic: drivers ed
