PTHS Student Handbook 2019-2020

DRIVER EDUCATION Classroom and behind-the-wheel training is available to those students who have reached the age of 15 years old. This course prepares the student for the acquisition of a driver’s license by providing safe driving instruction and driving experience. Parents or guardians will be able to reinforce the school’s instruction during time allowed for compliance to the state’s “Graduate to Safety 50 Hour Certification Sheet.” The course of instruction required of each student at the high school level shall consist of a minimum of 30 clock hours of classroom instruction taught by a certified high school teacher. Each driver education course is offered during a nine week period.

Any student failing to comply with the 30 clock hours will have to repeat the course. Excessive absenteeism or extended illness could warrant the course being repeated.

Also, an approved course in practice driving consisting of a minimum of 6 clock hours of individual behind-the-wheel instruction or its equivalent in a car shall be provided.

Any student attending Pontiac Township High School who wishes to take Driver Education must meet the following criteria: 1. The student must receive a passing grade in at least eight courses during the previous two (2) semesters before enrolling in Driver Education, or in the case of drop outs, their last two semesters and must be fifteen years of age before they would be eligible to enroll in the Driver Education course in the normal high school sequence. 2. The definition of a course is any class at the high school for which a student receives one-half credit GPA per semester and that credit is on the official transcript. 3. If the eight (8) course restriction requires the evaluation of junior high grades, the grades must be from an official transcript or certification from the school. A student report card may not be used for verification. 4. If a student is home schooled, the individual responsible for the education of the student must certify that the courses being considered were passed successfully. This certification must be in writing and notarized, preferable at the District Office. All students meeting these criteria will be placed in classes first by their age (oldest to youngest) and second by the classroom space available. The Superintendent of schools may waive the eight (8) course requirement only when there are extreme financial, economic or personal circumstances warranting such a waiver. The superintendent will request high school administration, counseling department, and driver education teachers to review the circumstances surrounding the waiver request and submit a written request within five (5) school days of the receipt of the recommendation. DRIVER EDUCATION BEHIND THE WHEEL (BTW) Once students have successfully completed the driver education course at Pontiac Township High School, they can be enrolled in the Study Hall/Behind the Wheel course. Driver Education classroom is a PTHS graduation requirement, however Behind the Wheel is not. Students who are under 18 years of age are required by IL state law to pass both classroom and BTW in order to obtain an IL driver’s license. Students, who are 18 years and older, only need to pass the classroom experience in order to obtain an IL driver’s license. Students wishing to enroll in this course must meet the following criteria: The student must be enrolled in an Academic Learning Center, Band Academic Learning Center or Resource course. Students enroll in the course during the course selection process with their PTHS Guidance Counselor. Students are placed in various sections throughout the year based on birthdays. Every effort is made to ensure students have completed both the classroom and BTW experience before their 16th birthday, but this is not always possible. While students will not be driving everyday during BTW, the student is expected to have his/her driving permit with him/her each day at school. Refusing to drive and/or lack of a permit are all grounds for removal from BTW with a failure. BTW teachers will provide a general driving schedule to the students, but students need to be ready to drive each and every day. Failure to be prepared to drive on 2 or more days will be grounds for removal from BTW.

Attendance is vital during the BTW experience due to State of IL time requirements. Students may be removed from BTW if attendance is poor during their BTW course.

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