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Driver Education Dept.
610-489-5000 ext. 26166
Dear Parents:
Your son or daughter has completed the first phase of the Methacton Driver Education Program, Classroom Theory Instruction. This semester course meets every other day. During this phase of the Driver Education Program, your teen will be introduced to the many responsibilities they will be assuming as they become members of the driving population. Special emphasis in this program will deal with the drinking/driving epidemic, traffic rules and regulations, and vehicle ownership responsibilities.
If your son or daughter successfully completes classroom theory or if, during this semester, receives a learner’s permit and is doing satisfactory work, he/she is eligible to participate in the laboratory phases of our program, depending on space availability. During driving simulation, the first of two phases of the laboratory program, students “drive” to a series of computer generated scenarios. The driving simulator allows students to develop good perceptual skills and proper driving procedures, both key ingredients for safe, efficient driving. Your teenager will also have the opportunity to use the driving analyzer component of our driving simulator system. The analyzer measures how quickly your teenager can identify and react to a problem. When braking distance is added, your teenager will see first hand how stopping distance dramatically changes based on speed, grade of the road, road conditions, and blood alcohol concentration. The basics of emergency evasive driving are also emphasized during driving simulation.
On-the-road instruction is the final phase of the program beginning immediately after the simulation program starts. Students drive in one of our dual controlled vehicles on all types of roads from residential to expressway to reinforce simulation lessons and to further develop good driving skills. Students are also prepared for the PA Driver’s Examination.
If your son or daughter successfully completes all three phases of this program, he/she will benefit by:
1. Learning the most up to date driving techniques from certified teachers who use the most recent teaching techniques and ideas.
2. Developing good perceptual and procedural skills through driving simulation.
3. Developing driving skills and attitudes within a safe environment using a dual controlled driver education vehicle.
4. Taking advantage of insurance rate reductions offered to driver education graduates by many insurance companies.
5. Being eligible to obtain a senior driver’s license at age 17 ½.
6. Eligible to take license test at high school
Because of anticipated demand, 60 students will be accepted into the program. I will accept enrollment papers up to 9:00 am on (date to be determined). At that point I will randomly pick 60 students, who have turned the enrollment application into the Driver Education department. I will post a list of all of the students who were accepted into the program. The students who do not get accepted will be placed on a waiting list and their laboratory fee will be returned. The waiting list is if some students drop out of the program during the semester. We are requiring that all students return a completed enrollment application that has been included with this letter. For students who will be participating in the laboratory program, information you provide will assist us in learning when your teenager will obtain his/her permit. We would like to know when your son or daughter plans to apply for the permit in order for appropriate and timely scheduling to occur. We are preparing to deal with all types of beginning drivers. It is not necessary that your child drive before beginning our program.
In an effort to defray some of the expenses incurred in the laboratory phases of our program (simulation and on-the-road), the Methacton School Board has authorized a $325.00 fee for each participant in the laboratory program. This fee will be collected with the enrollment paper. Make checks payable to: Methacton School District. In case of financial hardship, a parent may contact Ms. Landis, so the fee may be partially or completely waived. We believe that the cost for this program will be money well spent.
Driving a car is a practical skill and virtually a requirement in our suburban area. We have confidence that our students, with adequate guidance from home and school, are capable of learning to operate a car in a responsible manner. We are looking forward to working with you and your teenager as we all strive to achieve our mutual goal: helping our teenagers become informed, efficient, and safe drivers. Should you have any questions about Methacton’s Driver Education Program, please contact me at 610-489-5000 ext. 26166.
