A fresh class of students are learning the tactics behind the dreaded parallel park.
This summer approximately 100 students from the area enrolled for two sessions of Driver's Ed.
They are learning from a very experienced teacher. Instructor Randy Strothman has been teaching Driver's Education for 31 years.
Strothman says that each student has different needs. This depends largely on their amount of experience behind the wheel. "We get a wide range. We've got the kids that are fairly experienced that are probably taking Driver's Ed for their insurance. Maybe they are a little older sometimes. The majority of the kids just finished 8th grade. To take Driver's Ed they have to have finished 8th grade and be 14 by May 1."
Students spend three weeks in the course with a week scheduled after for make up work. The second of two sessions is currently in session.
Time is spent between the classroom and the road.
"In the classroom they are learning rules of the road, driving situations and a lot of the academic part to driving," said Strothman.
The classroom sessions carry over into the actual driving that takes place with an instructor. After students watched a video on railroad track safety, Strothman saw differences in behavior. "I noticed the kids becoming more careful with that after they get out on the road and he talked to them," he said.
Driver's Education is not required by law. It does however offer benefits to those who choose to take it. Kansas students who are 15 and have taken Driver's Ed are able to get a Restricted License which offers more driving privilege than a Learner's Permit. Also, insurance rates may drop for the young driver.
For students taking the class, this is more often than not the first time they have driven without a parent. Strothman believes instructors offer a different perspective.
"I think the physical part of it really is that they are in the car with a professional. All of us have done it for a number of years. Mom and dad get a little excited and yell out or panic at every little thing. I think the Driver's Ed instructor is a little more calm."
The most difficult concept of driving tends to be different for each child. That keeps teaching Driver's Ed challenging for instructors.
"I don't know if there is just one single thing that you pick out from kid to kid or situation to situation," said Strothman. "Just knowing when it is their turn and other drivers expect to yield to them. That's probably one of the bigger things."
Wellington, Kan. —
