A SURVEY OF DRIVER EDUCATION PROGRAMS IN THE SCHOOLS OF HAWAII

Scope of Study. This dissertation explored the state of the art of driver education in the state of Hawaii during the school year 1976-1977 in order to determine a profile of driver education teachers and determine the driver educator's attitude toward higher certification requirements for driver education. A questionnaire was prepared and sent to every certified active driver education teacher in Hawaii. A driver education program questionnaire was also prepared and sent to the state coordinator of driver education.;Results of Study. The study was significant in the following being adopted by the Hawaii Department of Education: (1) the certification requirement of driver education teachers was increased from one course to 12 college semester credit hours; (2) a state administrative guide for driver education was developed; (3) a statewide professional association for driver educators was founded and is functioning; (4) a system of keeping driver education records by schools was updated; (5) a way to determine the present and future needs for driver education teachers in Hawaii was established; (6) courses for special populations are now offered; (7) a comprehensive teacher preparation program in traffic safety education was established at the University of Hawaii; and (8) financial aid to driver education was maintained. The study determined: (1) part-time driver education programs are widely accepted in Hawaii public schools; (2) an established hourly pay schedule for instructors is based on driver education teaching experience; (3) many instructors were teaching driver education with minimal traffic safety education preparation; (4) teachers of driver education are experienced educators from many disciplines; (5) most driver educators received their basic driver education professional education preparation in Hawaii at the University of Hawaii or through the Hawaii Department of Education; (6) driver education is not offered during the regular school day; (7) interest in simulation and range differed considerably from instructors to the state administration; (8) driver educators would take advanced courses in traffic safety education; (9) most driver educators favored an increase in certification standards; (10) no programs for special populations were offered; and (11) only the standard 30 hours of classroom and 6 hours behind-the-wheel instruction is offered.;Findings and Conclusions. A profile on the certified driver education teacher in Hawaii was established. Driver educators favored a certification requirement increase and selected four specific courses for the additional certification requirement increase. No driver education courses are offered during the regular school day and students earn no credit for completion of the course. Only the standard 30 hour classroom and 6 hour laboratory program is offered; and no course in driver education is offered to special populations. The study suggests that certification requirements be increased to 12 semester hours in traffic safety education, courses be offered to special populations, administrative and curriculum guides in driver education be developed for statewide adoption, develop a comprehensive teacher preparation curriculum for driver education teachers, establish a statewide professional organization for driver educators, that the Hawaii Department of Education maintain more accurate records regarding driver education, hire a full-time driver education coordinator at the state level, and offer driver education during the regular school day for high school credit.