More time online and fewer classroom hours are part of changes coming to MPI’s driver education program.
The “Driver Z” program will launch as a pilot project in 20 high schools across the province with a full roll-out expected in the fall.
Some of the changes include a reduction in classroom time from 34 hours to 20 hours and an increase in supervised in-car practice with a co-pilot from the current 24 hours to 45 hours.
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Students will also have to successfully complete 12 hours of online work before the first class.
“Kids like to do a lot of this stuff online,” said Maria Minenna, manager of driver education and training at MPI.
“And the online component gears them to self-learning and taking it in smaller bite-sized pieces and they can learn at their own pace.
“Research also shows us that parent involvement is a huge thing,” Minenna added.
Students will also receive feedback on instructor-led in-car lessons once which is aimed at helping co-pilot practice time.
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