We realize that students and their parents/caregivers would like to know if there is a chance to participate in District sponsored Behind the Wheel (BTW). We hope this provides you with a bit more information on what we are doing to support students.
The Sun Prairie Area School District will no longer offer Traffic Safety Classes during the regular school year. Any classes that may be offered in the future will be during Summer School. The District will offer Behind the Wheel training if/when certified Driver’s Education teachers are available in the District. There is a statewide shortage of certified teachers. If you desire to complete the program as quickly as possible, we strongly encourage you to pursue a Private Driving School.
Can I get a refund?
If you paid for the District Behind the Wheel training and would like your money back so you can pursue a private school, please see this information on Behind the Wheel Refunds.
How many students are on the list?
There are currently 175 students on the list to complete BTW. There may be up to 450 students on the list at the start of the Fall 2022 semester.
What students will be removed from the list?
Students who are 18 years old are not required to participate in BTW and if a student is 18, they will be removed from the list. We will notify them via email.
Following is the information from the Wisconsin Department of Motor Vehicles:
At what age does the driver education requirement no longer apply?
Once you turn 18, you may take tests and apply for a driver license without being enrolled in a driver education program.
Provide proof of Wisconsin residency if you are 18 years of age or older. Provide your Social Security number (you can fulfill your proof of identity requirement by presenting your Social Security card). Pass the appropriate knowledge, sign and vision tests. Pay the appropriate driver licensing fees.
Students who will graduate from high school are no longer eligible to participate in district sponsored BTW classes and will be removed from the list (we will notify them via email).
Where is a student on the list?
Once we have removed ineligible students from the list, we will begin to prioritize students on the list starting with the students who earned their Temporary License first (e.g., AUG 2021 and moving forward). Once we have the list established, we can share what number the student is on the list. We are hoping this will help students determine if they would like to pursue a Private Driving School. (The list of students will be available after 10 MAY 2022.)
If a student is currently on the list, but will turn 18 or graduate before we can schedule the student for BTW, they will be removed when they turn 18 or if their graduation is approaching. We will notify the student via email. We strongly encourage students whose 18th birthday will be happening in the near future, to wait for that date as BTW training is not required to obtain a license. If a student will be graduating from high school in the very near future, we strongly encourage them to pursue a Private Driving School.
If a student or parent/caregiver requests a refund for BTW training, the student will be removed from the list at that time.
How will students be added to the list for in-district Behind the Wheel Training?
Once students successfully complete the in-district Traffic Safety Class (offered through Summer School only), they will be given the opportunity to register for Behind the Wheel training. They will be added to the list behind those who have completed the Traffic Safety class on an earlier date. Only students who participated in Traffic Safety in the district are eligible to register for Behind the Wheel in-district.
Students need a Driver's License Application - Form MV3001 completed by a certified Driver’s Education Teacher indicating that they are enrolled in BTW:
School Certification: I certify that this applicant is enrolled in approved behind-the-wheel training which begins no later than 60 days from date signed.
Until we know the dates when we can enroll a student in the district BTW, our Driver’s Education teachers cannot sign.
We currently have one certified Driver’s Education teacher who has confirmed he will be available for a limited amount of time in June. As part of our process, we are doing the following:
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Seeking out the certified Driver’s Education teachers in our district to see if they are willing and available to teach BTW (this is NOT their primary teaching assignment)
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Finding out the dates/times they are available to teach BTW
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Finding out the dates/times eligible students are available to participate in BTW
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Coordinating the Teacher and Student schedules for BTW
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Contacting the students and their parents/caregivers via email to notify them of the date/time and meeting location (e.g., District Support Center or High Schools)
NOTE: ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE IN WRITING VIA EMAIL. NO TEXTS OR PHONE CALLS.
ALL COMMUNICATION WILL INCLUDE STUDENTS, PARENTS/CAREGIVERS.
If someone calls to make arrangements, they will be instructed to send an email. This ensures we have a written record of all communication which will hopefully help to avoid any confusion.
Again, if you have paid for BTW and based on this information and your needs, would like a refund, please use this BTW Refund Information. If a student, parent, or caregiver requests a refund, the student will be removed from the list at that time.
Thank you for your cooperation and understanding as we progress with this process.
At this time, you may contact spbtw@sunprairieschools.org
The following information was sent to all eligible students, parents, and caregivers and posted on the Summer School website.
