Course Highlights: Driver Education

In Launch’s Driver Education course, students ride or drive with an adult, then journal about their experiences. 

STUDENTS LOG THEIR EXPERIENCES ABOUT THE FOLLOWING DRIVES:
Drive 1: Parking lot. This drive focuses on the practice of stopping and starting smoothly and making right and left turns from a stopped position and on the move.
Drive 2: Neighborhoods. Students navigate through neighborhoods to work on driving in the proper lane, stopping at stop signs and making right and left turns.
Drive 3: City driving. Driving in the city allows students to practice lane changes and the obedience of traffic lights and yield signs, and it also introduces the need to communicate with other drivers.
Drive 4: Country driving. A drive on country roads allows students to drive at higher speeds on hills, curves and passing lanes. Students are encouraged to watch for animals.
Drive 5: Highway/Interstate. Once students merge onto the interstate, they experience driving at higher speeds and accompanying passing and lane changes.
Drive 6: Road course. This experience encourages students to practice parallel parking, parking on a hill, lane changes and more.

LET’S BUY A CAR AND HIT THE ROAD!
Driver Education also requires students to engage in multiple interactive assignments. One requires them to make a list of must-haves for a vehicle, then search online to compile a list of five cars that meet their needs. Another has students plan a vacation—they pick a destination, then decide on activities and entertainment, find a hotel, set a budget and, of course, get directions!

SEEING IS BELIEVING
Students watch several videos, including a video about texting and driving, to help them become informed of the possible dangers associated with being behind the wheel.