Missouri’s virtual school system is preparing to fill a major gap in Missouri high school education—with virtual driver education.
Missouri’s virtual school system went into operation this fall, offering classes through the internet to thousands of students who can’t get the things they want through their regular school. Among the new programs is one for next summer—driver education.
Curt Fuchs, who manages the program for the state education department, says the virtual program can’t put the students on the road. But it will provide the 32-hour book portion of driver’s ed. Fuchs says students who finish the book part of the course will have to line up their own instructors for the 28-hours of behind-the-wheel experience that goes with a school driver’s ed course.
He says many school districts don’t offer driver education because of high insurance costs. But he says Missouri ranks fifth in the nation in teenage driving deaths. Fuchs says it’s clear a lot of students could benefit from the program.
Fuchs says other states have found the virtual driver ‘ sed ucation course to be popular, especially in the summer when students can work full time and take the course in the evening.
