Homeschoolers invited to take driver ed class
Thank you so much for the opportunity to promote this terrific program in the homeschool community. I’d like to spread the word about a new city-run program, funded 100% by photo enforcement revenue, that is available to city residents. It is the new City of Chattanooga Drivers Education Program, which I oversee. The traffic engineering division combined resources with Parks and Recreation and the Chattanooga Police Department to establish a citysponsored drivers education program which makes professional defensive driving instruction available at low cost to city residents between the ages 15 and 18.
Hamans New Drivers (a highly respected, multi-state company) has contracted with the city to provide its basic five week defensive driving course (regularly $389) to eligible city residents for $350. Upon application, the student/parent(s) pay a $50 nonrefundable enrollment fee. Once the student has successfully completed the course, the city pays the $300 balance directly to the driving school. At that point, each student will be able to schedule 6 hours (three 2-hour sessions) of individual behind-thewheel time with a certified Haman’s instructor; these sessions are included in that $50 fee.
The courses are held at selected City recreation centers. So far, we have held classes at the Brainerd Rec Complex, the Washington Hills Center, the Shepherd Center, Greenway Farm, the Westside Community Center and the John A. Patten Center. Indeed, one of the most innovative aspects of this program is its use of the City’s exceptional recreation centers. By attending the classes at these centers, City residents can be exposed to and learn more about the various programs that each site has to offer. Each facility experiences renewed focus along with an increase in attendance and neighborhood “ownership”. And, of course, the benefits of these kids’ receiving top notch training will become more evident every day as we share the road.
I’m accepting applications for a series of summer courses to be held at Greenway Farm in Hixson and the John A. Patten Center in Lookout Valley. Unlike the courses held during the school year – those meet twice a week for five weeks – the summer classes meet each afternoon Monday- Friday from 1 to 4 p.m. for two weeks:
* June 7 – 18 Greenway Farm (5051 Gann Store Road)
* June 21 – July 2 Patten Center (3202 Kelly Ferry Road)
* July 12 – July 23 Patten Center
* July 26 – Aug. 6 Greenway Farm
Caroline Johnson johnson_c@chattanooga.gov