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CTC Receives $165k CODE Grant to Boost Driver Education in Clark County

CTC Receives $165k CODE Grant to Boost Driver Education in Clark County
In a significant stride toward making driver education accessible to Clark County teens, Springfield-Clark Career Technology Center (CTC) is honored to be a recipient of a $165,550.17 Creating Opportunities for Driver Education (CODE) grant from the Ohio Traffic Safety Office (OTSO). The grant, a new funding opportunity for school districts, was created last year to encourage development of new driver training programs and expansion of existing programs.
 
Navigating toward safer roads
Research has shown that driver education is a significant factor in reducing injury crashes among Ohio teens. Teens who obtain their driver’s license at 16 or 17 are less likely to be in injury crashes in their first 12 months of driving as compared to teens who obtain their license at 18 or 19, when driver training is not required.
 
On the road to breaking barriers
Many Ohio teens delay becoming licensed drivers for a number of reasons, including the lack of driver education programs, cost of the programs, and the long wait times to get into programs. The same reasons have been voiced by students and CTC’s business partners who provide work placement opportunities for students.
 
“We are honored to receive the CODE grant, which allows us to answer the needs of our students and the community to provide accessible and affordable driver education,” said Michelle Patrick, CTC’s Superintendent. “This grant will help lessen the barriers for teens to obtain required driver education by offering it at an affordable cost and integrating it into their school day.”
 
Driving toward a safer future
Data shows that over the past five years, 12% of Clark County auto accidents involved teen drivers. Given Clark County’s limited public transportation options and sheer size (400 square miles), there is a critical need to offer transportation solutions for students to reach employment opportunities.
 
CTC launched a driver education program last fall to help address the lack of accessible and affordable driver education programs. In collaboration with TWP Driving Academy in Columbus, CTC was able to access a vehicle and train Mr. Eric Miller, a CTC teacher, to become a licensed driver education instructor for the classroom and road portions. The CODE grant funds will be used to hire additional instructors, train instructors, and purchase a vehicle.
 
Revving Up the Impact
CTC’s pilot driver education program has helped 34 of students, 8 of whom have completed their classroom and behind-the-wheel training and are now licensed drivers or waiting to complete testing to become a licensed driver.
 
The ambitious long-term goal is to have a driving instructor and car available at each high school in Clark County. Phase 1 of the goal is to offer driver education to students at Kenton Ridge High School, Northeastern High School, Springfield High School, and Tecumseh High School. Phase 2 would expand the driver education program to Shawnee High School and other interested high schools.
 
The grant's impact goes beyond prepared teen drivers and safer roads; it is a catalyst for economic benefits. With many businesses in need of part-time, entry-level employees, enabling teens to get their license provides them the ability to fill these types of positions. In a county where over 46% of 11th and 12th-grade students face economic disadvantages, this initiative aligns with CTC's mission of preparing students for various paths after graduation. CTC gets students ready. Career Ready. College Ready. Life Ready.
 

Students from Springfield-Clark Career Technology Center (CTC) and staff from the Ohio Department of Public Safety (ODPS) and Ohio Traffic Safety Office (OTSO) celebrate $4.5 million in Grants to Increase Driver Training Options for Teens.

From left to right:

  • Judy Converse, Public Information Officer, OTSO
  • Emily Davidson, Director, OTSO
  • Gustavo Medina Montoya, a senior from Tecumseh High School in the Engineering & Architectural Design program at CTC
  • McKenzie Cabrera, a senior from Springfield High School in the Veterinary Science program at CTC
  • Jazmin Davila-Lopez, a senior from Springfield High School in the Education Exploration program at CTC
  • Caitlyn Leonard, a senior from Shawnee High School in the Computer Graphic Arts program at CTC
  • Kimberly Schwind, Assistant Director, OTSO
  • Andy Wilson, Director, ODPS

Back row, from left to right:

  • Nisha Stevens, Driving Instructor, TWP Driving Academy
  • Eric Miller, Driving Instructor, Springfield-Clark CTC
  • Gustavo Medina Montoya, a senior from Tecumseh High School in the Engineering & Architectural Design program at CTC
  • Caitlyn Leonard, a senior from Shawnee High School in the Computer Graphic Arts program at CTC
  • Michelle Patrick, Superintendent of Springfield-Clark CTC

Front row, left to right:

  • McKenzie Cabrera, a senior from Springfield High School in the Veterinary Science program at CTC
  • Jazmin Davila-Lopez, a senior from Springfield High School in the Education Exploration program at CTC
  • Andy Wilson, Director of Ohio Department of Public Safety
  • Emily Davidson, Director of Ohio Traffic Safety Office

Springfield-Clark Career Technology Center (CTC) started a driver's education program in the Fall of 2023. Since it's inception the 34 students have participated in the classroom or behind-the-wheel instruction.

The CTC driver's education students pictured from left to right:

  • Gustavo Medina Montoya, a senior from Tecumseh High School in the Engineering & Architectural Design program
  • McKenzie Cabrera, a senior from Springfield High School in the Veterinary Science program
  • Caitlyn Leonard, a senior from Shawnee High School in the Computer Graphic Arts program
  • Jazmin Davila-Lopez, a senior from Springfield High School in the Education Exploration program

CTC partnered with TWP Driving Academy in Columbus, Ohio to provide training ffor CTC's driving instructor, Eric Miller, and access to a vehicle.

From left to right:

  • Nisha Stevens, Driving Instructor, TWP Driving Academy
  • Gustavo Medina Montoya, a senior from Tecumseh High School in the Engineering & Architectural Design program at CTC
  • McKenzie Cabrera, a senior from Springfield High School in the Veterinary Science program at CTC
  • Eric Miller, Driving Instructor, Springfield-Clark CTC
  • Caitlyn Leonard, a senior from Shawnee High School in the Computer Graphic Arts program at CTC
  • Jazmin Davila-Lopez, a senior from Springfield High School in the Education Exploration program at CTC
  • Aisha Stevens, Founder and Driving Instructor, TWP Driving Academy

Springfield-Clark Career Technology Center (CTC) staff and driver's education students at the CODE Grant press conference.

From left to right:

  • Michelle Patrick, Superintendent of Springfield-Clark CTC
  • Gustavo Medina Montoya, a senior from Tecumseh High School in the Engineering & Architectural Design program at CTC
  • McKenzie Cabrera, a senior from Springfield High School in the Veterinary Science program
  • Eric Miller, driving instructor at CTC
  •  Caitlyn Leonard, a senior from Shawnee High School in the Computer Graphic Arts program at CTC
  • Jazmin Davila-Lopez, a senior from Springfield High School in the Education Exploration program at CTC
  • Chris James, Executive Director at CTC
  • Jennifer Shaffer, Director of CTE & Student Development at CTC

CTC students and superintendent with the Greater Springfield Partnership.

From left to right:

  • Kaitlyn Tyler Talent + Education Coordinator
  • Jen Sirucek, Jobs & Job Readiness Chair for the Greater Springfield Partnership
  • Amy Donahoe, Director of Workforce Development at Greater Springfield Partnership
  • Gustavo Medina Montoya, a senior from Tecumseh High School in the Engineering & Architectural Design program at CTC
  • McKenzie Cabrera, a senior from Springfield High School in the Veterinary Science program at CTC
  • Jazmin Davila-Lopez, a senior from Springfield High School in the Education Exploration program at CTC
  • Caitlyn Leonard, a senior from Shawnee High School in the Computer Graphic Arts program at CTC
  • Michelle Patrick, Superintendent of Springfield-Clark CTC

Ohio Department of Public Safety Director Andy Wilson discusses driver's education requirements and testing with CTC students Gustavo Medina Montoya, a senior from Tecumseh High School in the Engineering & Architectural Design program, McKenzie Cabrera, a senior from Springfield High School in the Veterinary Science program, and Caitlyn Leonard, a senior from Shawnee High School in the Computer Graphic Arts program.

Springfield-Clark Career Technology Center (CTC) staff and driver's education students strike a fun pose with driving instructors from TWP Driving Academy.

From left to right:

  • Nisha Stevens, Driving Instructor, TWP Driving Academy
  • Gustavo Medina Montoya, a senior from Tecumseh High School in the Engineering & Architectural Design program at CTC
  • McKenzie Cabrera, a senior from Springfield High School in the Veterinary Science program at CTC
  • Eric Miller, Driving Instructor, Springfield-Clark CTC
  • Caitlyn Leonard, a senior from Shawnee High School in the Computer Graphic Arts program at CTC
  • Jazmin Davila-Lopez, a senior from Springfield High School in the Education Exploration program at CTC
  • Aisha Stevens, Founder and Driving Instructor, TWP Driving Academy