Friday, February 25, 2011
Ed Week, January 26, 2011
The article "No-Pass, No-Drive Laws Spreading" by Mary Ann Zehr is very interesting. I had no idea that 27 states now have a system that requires students to attend school, behave, and study in order to get their driver's license before the age of 18. It makes sense to me that a driver's license would be a very enticing carrot for high school students. Apparently, critics are saying that although these policies seem to make intuitive sense and anecdotal evidence indicates they are successful, they are not supported by research. I think critics rightly argue that "No-Pass, No-Drive" policies fail to address the underlying reasons that a student may skip school (housing issues, family problems, lack of social-emotional skills, academic difficulties etc.). One study published in the Educational Research Quarterly in 2000 found that "No-Pass, No-Drive" policies combined with counseling in Kentucky were effective. One of the very disappointing aspects of this issue mentioned in the article is that some parents will try to get around this policy and truancy laws by enrolling their kids in "homeschooling" programs. Some parents are thus undermining schools attempts to get kids to come to school. If the students are not there they cannot learn. I do think, however, that New Mexico may be carrying this all a little too far by requiring "near proficiency" or better on state tests for reading and math before a minor is allowed a driver's permit. What do you think?
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I read this article too and agree with you that New Mexico is taking it a step too far. I do however, like the idea of reinforcing the fact that driving is a privledge. I want people who are driving a vehicle to be responsible individuals who acknowledge that their decisions have consequences. Students who are skipping school for inappropriate reasons are perhaps not mentally ready to be operating a vehicle, since they are already making some bad decisions. I also think it is good to give students another motivating factor for working hard and doing their best in school. Even if Oregon does not create a law like this, we will surely have stipulations like this in my household. :)
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