WHITEHALL HIGH SCHOOL
TRAFFIC SAFETY EDUCATION PROGRAM

The Whitehall High School Traffic Safety Education Program meets all standards required by the Montana Office of Public Instruction and is CDTP certified by the State of Montana Motor Vehicle Division. This course is a partnership between those entities as well as the student, parent/legal guardians and instructor.  The instructor will use best practices to teach the student how to become a safe driver while the responsibility of upholding laws and practicing safe driving techniques will reside with the parent and ultimately on the student. 

In order for our students to successfully complete the Traffic Safety Education program, the following guidelines will be adhered to:

1. FEES:  Payable to the District office prior to acceptance to this class.  In order to establish a priority for students taking the class, the criterion will be that the oldest students will be given preference. Also, in-district students have preference over out of district students and homeschool students. The fee is $200. This class is an option offered to students, but not a requirement. There are no scholarships or payment plans available. 

2. CLASSROOM:

	Attendance: It is required by law that each student completes a minimum of 42 classroom hours.  Therefore, each student must attend all classes in order to complete the program. If a student missed one class those hours will need to be made up with the instructor and an additional project will be assigned. Failure to make up work and communicate with instructor will be an obstacle to completing the course.
		
		NOTE: Excessive tardiness will be considered an absence.  Tardiness of ten minutes or more will be considered an absence for that class.

	Instruction:  Each student must successfully complete all required work for the classroom.  This will include worksheets, films, quizzes, tests, projects, activities, and KEYS assignments with parents, etc.  Course work must be 82% or higher.  This is in agreement with the requirements of the Montana Department of Justice. Assignments are due as assigned and are linear with work in the car.  Therefore, in order to have safety as our number one concern, a student missing a pertinent assignment may not be able to complete a drive until the pre-work has been finished and given to the instructor.

	Required Testing: 
	1. Department of Motor Vehicle Test; Learner’s License Issued with 82% or higher score
	The student will be given three opportunities to pass this exam with the instructor. If the student passes, they will be issued a Learner’s License and it is valid for one year.  If he/she fails 3 times, he/she will have to take the test in Butte at the exam office and obtain a LL permit within 3 weeks.  Failure to obtain this permit will result in not passing this class; no refund given.

	2. Classroom Final:  A final review of procedures and knowledge given during the last week of class. 82% score is required.

3. BEHIND THE WHEEL:	

Attendance:  By law each student must complete a minimum of 6 hours behind the wheel lessons and a maximum of 12 hours of observation.  All driving lessons must be attended on the date assigned; opportunity for make-ups will be made by the instructor, but ultimately it is the student’s responsibility to attend their drive lessons. 
Please note: Unless there are mechanical issues, drives will be on time and will be begin as scheduled. 

Instruction:  In order to complete the driving lessons, the student will have to demonstrate the ability to drive an automobile at the level indicated for each lesson.  A student will progress to the next lesson only after successfully completing the previous lesson. Safety of all passengers is paramount. 	 

 
4.  BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS

Driver and Parent:  Driving is a privilege not a Right.  It is against the law for your student with a Learner’s License to drive without an instructor or a parent/legal guardian.  Parent participation using the Practice Driving Log and KEYS assignments are critical to the success of making your child a safe driver.

Driver and Instructor:  Driving is a privilege not a Right.  Responsible and mature behavior is an absolute requirement of the class. If a student displays disruptive behavior or unlawful behavior it is assumed the student is not mature enough to be given the responsibility of operating a motor vehicle.  Disruptive behavior is defined as, but not limited to, the following: constantly talking instead of studying, interrupting others trying to work, failing to respect the teacher’s instructions, becoming belligerent when reprimanded or disregard for the laws while operating a motor vehicle.  Parents will be notified if there is disruptive or disrespectful behavior. Severe situations shall result in dismissal from class with no refund granted; safety is paramount.

Parent/Legal Guardian:  The Learner’s License allows the student to drive with you their legal guardian or an approved licensed adult.  NO ONE ELSE!  It is necessary to drive, and practice with your Teen Driver as specified with the Graduate Driver’s License (GDL) and assist with assignments for this course.  Be aware that once you sign the Montana Driver License Application you are assuming full responsibility for this driver until they turn 18 years of age. You do have the legal right to cancel this driver’s license until their 18th birthday.  

Implied Consent:  Once you have signed the Montana Driver License Application you are giving implied consent to drug and alcohol testing when and if a person has been pulled over by a police officer. 

If the student does not meet all the above requirements in a successful manner, he/she will not pass this Traffic Safety Education course; failure to complete the course WILL NOT result in a refund of fees.   

My signature below certifies that I understand the guideline of the course. 

Parent ______________________________Student_______________________________ Date ____________

Parent Email: ____________________________________  

Parent Phone Number: ____________________________

Student Phone Number: ___________________________

(Emails are an essential means to communicate throughout the course regarding assignments and drivers in addition to texts.)