By Sara Beth Williams–
An online Driver’s Education course is now available to Mesa Verde High School and San Juan High School students, according to San Juan Unified School District Director of Communication Raj Rai.
In September 2023, parents like Deshai Knight began to question why driver’s education courses weren’t available to local high school students in the San Juan Unified School District.
Knight told The Sentinel in an interview that she began to inquire with the district by sending emails. When a district representative didn’t get back to her, Knight emailed all the San Juan district board members.
Knight said she feels it’s important for students to be offered driver’s education because it’s required by law and because not all families can afford paying out of pocket for driver’s education courses.
“The district should have to abide by the education code,” Knight said, adding that kids have enough going on without “additional hurdles being thrown at them” that keep them from getting a license before 18.
According to the California Department of Motor Vehicles, students under 18 “must complete classroom driver’s education and enroll in behind-the-wheel driver’s training at a licensed driver’s training school” before they are allowed to obtain an instructional permit.
According to the California Department of Education code, section 51220, public schools are required to provide free driver’s education to public school children, as stated on the education department’s website.
Rai told the Sentinel in an April 19 email that anecdotally, high schools had seen a decrease in student interest in taking driver’s education courses, and that many districts have struggled with offering courses because teachers are required to have specific certifications. Rai also added that driver’s education is not part of the health standards, and not required for students to graduate.
Rai did not have any data on when local high schools stopped offering driver’s education courses but told The Sentinel that the San Juan district did receive “several inquiries from families” regarding driver’s education courses. Rai did not specify when the district received such inquiries.
The new driver’s education program available for students is online-based and free of charge to all high school students enrolled in the district. Behind-the-wheel training is not included.
Parents who want to register students for driver’s education or find out more information can visit the district’s website here:
