Driver Education Dept. Chair :  Judy Beckwith Phone: (630) 942-6613

About Our Department

The principal purpose of the driver education program is to provide each student with a wide range of educational experiences to allow for the development of confidence and competence in safe, efficient, defensive driving. In order to accomplish this objective, the driver education instructional staff requires that students demonstrate proficiency in three major areas: physical driving skills, social responsibilites, and the cognitive understandings necessary to create an aware, alert, and defensive driver.

Department Members

BECKWITH JUDY (630) 942-6613 x4221 judy_beckwith@glenbard.org GORSKI DOUGLAS (630) 942-6772 x4706 doug_gorski@glenbard.org MCMILLIN KAREN (630) 942-6726 x4718 karen_mcmillin@glenbard.org PREUSS ANDREW (630) 942-6654 x4254 andrew_preuss@glenbard.org

Course Description

DRIVER EDUCATION So., Jr., Sr. minor cr. (not on G.P.A./not used for Athletic eligibility) This course consists of three phases: Classroom (30 hours), simulation (12 hours), and "behind the wheel" (BTW 6 hours). The classroom phase is a course required for graduation. The simulation and BTW phases, which jointly make up the driving part of Driver Education, are optional. Any student with medical problems that may possibly require a physician's approval (for BTW) should notify the Driver Education Chairperson in advance of enrollment in the course. The successful completion of all three phases qualifies the student 16 years of age or older, with parent permission, the privilege to obtain their drivers license prior to age 18. In addition, the student may also receive a deduction in insurance rates. Students are scheduled into driving groups based on age with the oldest students being placed first. To be eligible for enrollment all students must be at least 15 years old by the first day of each semester or else they cannot be enrolled during that particular semester. The youngest students may be required to take BTW before or after school. This will occur only after all regular groups have been filled. If a student chooses to take the BTW phase, they can secure an instruction permit thirty (30) days prior to the beginning of the semester by attending the Glenbard South Parent/Student Clinic. If a student/parent does not attend the clinic, the student will receive permit application materials on the first day of class. It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to take their child to the Secretary of State and secure a permit prior to the first behind the wheel lesson at school. Permits cannot be secured independently outside of school prior to enrollment in Driver Education. The permit cost is $20.00 and goes directly to the State of Illinois. This fee covers the permit cost and the cost of the student's first driver's license. There is also a district lab fee that each student must pay when taking the BTW phase. This fee is paid to the school district to defray the cost of purchasing vehicles, car maintenance and gasoline costs. Any student seeking admission into Driver Education must have passed at least 8 courses in the two previous semesters prior to enrollment. Students who do not qualify will wait until 8 courses in two consecutive semesters are passed. Questions regarding Driver Education eligibility should be directed to the Guidance Director.