Driver Education Syllabus

West High School, Rm215

Instructor: Jack H. Achs, Davenport West High School, 3505 W. Locust St., Davenport, IA 52804.

Wk: 563-723-5600, Cell: 563-650-3641, Web Site: https://sites.google.com/site/mrachswebsitev1/

Emails: achsja@davenportschools.org

AEA Contacts: 

Anne Budde, Coordinator of Student Programs, 563-344-6449 or abudde@aea9.k12.ia.us

Anna Johnson, Driver Education Secretary, 563-344-6575 or  ajohnson@aea9.k12.ia.us

website: https://www.mbaea.org/en/student_programs/driver_education/

General Course Outline & Class Dates (see syllabus for details):

Wk1             Mon-Thur        5:30-8:30pm               12hrs   Ch1-8(WB Ch1-5 Due)

Wk2            Mon-Thur        5:30-8:30pm                12hrs   Ch9-16, DavPD (WB Ch6-10Due)

Wk3            Mon & Tue       5:30-8:30pm                6hrs     DUI, IDOT (WB Ch12-16 Due)

                                                                                                30hrs   (IA State requirement)

       Thurs**            5:30-8:30pm                3hrs     Make-Up Class

**Students may only be absent one day. Students that cannot attend the make-up date must then attend another Driver Education Class and/or pay $15hr.Students late to class must make up every minute! 

Driving Dates/Times:  Two hour sessions (students may only drive for 30min at a time, 1hr of the 2hr session, needing 6 hrs total): Mon-Thur: 3:45-6:45pm, Sat&Sun: 7am-5pm, dates/times: TBA Students that “No-Show” for a drive without notifying the instructor will be charged $30.  Each student has 6 drives.

Inclement Weather: No Driver Ed class or drives when school (DCSD) is cancelled.  However, on the weekends, I drive in ALL weather and it will not be cancelled. Check with your drive instructor.

Targeted Participants:  Students 14-18 years in age seeking a State of Iowa Drivers License.

Course Description:  The Mississippi Bend Area Education Agency (AEA) Driver Education program was established more than 10 years ago in response to local school districts. The AEA Driver Education Program follows the state approved driver education guidelines. We provide 30 hours of classroom instruction and 6 hours of behind the wheel instruction. Included in the classroom component, students complete four hours of substance abuse education, 20 minutes on railroad crossing, information on organ donation, and instruction providing awareness about sharing the road with bicycles and motorcycles. Students may take this class for a grade or pass/fail (if applicable).

Course Outcomes:

1.      Outcome: Demonstrate basic driver knowledge as required by the State of Iowa.

a.    Evaluation: Take the on-line Iowa practice driver test (25 questions). Students may retake this quiz as required for a better grade (counts towards test grade). 25pts x 2= Total 50pts. Website: https://iowadot.gov/mvd/driverslicense/driverslicense/iadrivertest-start Due: See Syllabus

b.   Evaluation: Take chapter tests 1-16 (30pts ea, 480pts). Students take test daily.

c.    Evaluation: Complete chapter worksheets Ch1-16 (20pts ea, 300pts). Due every Thurs.

d.   Evaluation: Demonstrate actual hands-on driving competency in 6 “drives” (200pts ea, 1200pts).

2.      Outcome: Reduce the risk of injury and/or accident by analyzing high-risk teen driving behaviors.

a.    Evaluation: Write a two-page essay identifying the high-risk behaviors and how to reduce these risks. This essay will count as the take-home Final for 250pts.  Due: See Syllabus

b.   Evaluation: Execute a Teen-Parent Contract (extra credit 50pts).  Due: See Syllabus

3.      Outcome: Perform basic car maintenance to include changing a tire. Evaluation: Demonstrate daily, weekly, and monthly car maintenance tasks to include changing of a spare tire as verified by a parent/guardian (100pts).  Due: See Syllabus

Note: Although Iowa law only requires 20hrs of supervised driving (with min of 2hrs at night not including driver education hours) for Stage 1 Instruction Permit drivers, it is highly recommended that teen drivers complete 50hrs. Current research shows that teens need more supervised driving time. It is highly recommended students finish their 20hrs before end of Driver Education class.

Essential Learning:  The privilege of driving is important in today’s world. It is also important to remember that the privilege of driving also carries a great deal of responsibility. Drivers must be careful and safety-minded; we all have the responsibility to avoid traffic accidents. This course includes information to help you become a safe and responsible driver. It includes information to help you avoid accidents and injury. It can help you learn how to watch those drivers around you, anticipate danger and react to mistakes. To be a safe driver means more than observing the law. It means knowing how to handle hazardous driving conditions and how to avoid situations that cause accidents. Learn the information provided in this course and practice your responsibilities as a driver. The Mississippi Bend AEA wants your driving experience to be safe and enjoyable.

 Grading Criteria:     

A= 92-100%

B= 85-91%

C= 77-84%

D=70-76%

F= 0-69%

I= Incomplete

>Grades posted in class

Pre-Requisites: Students must be 14 years of age and have their Iowa Instruction Permit with them on the first day of class (and on every drive). It s highly recommended that you start Driver Education with 20hrs supervised driving already completed. Students standing homework: Drive, drive, drive!