NWESD Traffic Safety Education

The Office of Traffic Safety Education (TSE) at OSPI oversees all traffic safety programs administered by public school districts in Washington State, governed by RCW 28A-220 and WAC 392-153.

• Annual approval process required to verify that program is in compliance with standards– Instructional staff hold certificate/endorsement and have satisfactory driving

record– Vehicles have current safety inspection and comply with requirements– Curriculum and course scheduling are in compliance– Registered with Department of Licensing (DOL) to enter information into

Secure Access Washington (SAW) system

Each year NWESD enters into Interlocal Cooperative Agreement(s) with requesting district(s).

• District responsibilities– Collect registrations and fees– Compensate NWESD the total amount of funds collected from students– Provide classroom space– Provide secure storage for vehicles, student records, textbooks, supplies

• NWESD responsibilities– Recruit, employ, and supervise TSE instructors– Provide vehicles– Provide insurance coverage for instructors, passengers, and vehicles

Granite Falls School District• One high school

– Granite Falls High School • Two instructors

– Tony Helgeson– Mike Hahn

• Three sessions with total of 74 students– Fall: 23– Spring: 27– Summer: 24

• Two vehicles– 2000 Ford Taurus– 2006 Ford Taurus

• Per student fee $440 (includes TSE course, initial DOL knowledge examination and driving skills examination)

Snohomish School District• Two high schools

– Snohomish High School– Glacier Peak High School

• Seven instructors– Ardis Libak– Dale Menzies– Gary Bedlington– Glenn Dunbar– Ken Hansen– Kevin Lane– Larry Schneider

• One administrative assistant– Marty Menzies

Snohomish School District• Five sessions with total of 283 students

– Fall: 62– Winter I: 57– Winter II: 58– Spring: 66– Summer: 40

• Six vehicles– 2003 Ford Taurus– 2003 Ford Taurus– 2006 Ford Taurus– 2006 Ford Taurus– 2007 Ford Taurus– 2007 Ford Taurus

• Per student fee $485 (includes TSE course, initial DOL knowledge examination and driving skills examination)

• Application form• Examiner roster (require

authorization/approval by DOL)• Staff roster (for access to training

materials and to enter test scores)

• Testing site information

• Test drive routes/maps– at least two drive test courses with

varying routes and street names– 3-5 mile radius of start location– may not be used for training

purposes– contain same basic maneuvers

• backing• park and start on a hill• parallel parking• starting• seven traffic control devices• six turns• two unmarked intersections

In 2011, the Washington Legislature passed ESHB 1635, authorizing the Department of Licensing (DOL) to allow testing by public school districts that offer a Traffic Safety Education program certified by the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Agreement for Services between State of Washington Department of Licensing and NWESD to administer the driver licensing examinations on behalf of DOL

• Input data directly into DOL’s Secure Access Washington (SAW) account– Waiver to apply for instruction permit– TSE course completion certificate– Examination results within 24 hours of completion

• DOL Knowledge Test– Multiple-choice test with 25 questions– Must correctly answer 20 to pass

• Driving Skills Test– Must first pass the knowledge test– Pre-trip inspection to determine vehicle

is legally licensed/registered/insured and equipment is operational/current

– Passing score is 80% (100 points possible; must score at least 80 to pass)

• Performance Monitoring– Impacts and outcomes achieved as a

result of the delivery of services are monitored and evaluated by DOL through their audit process.