behind-the-wheel: (2/2)
Room #: Gym/commons
** BTW IS not A GRADUATION REQUIREMENT @ DUNLAP HIGH SCHOOL! **
** If you are planning to complete btw at a private driving school or facility,
please let Coach simmons know of this decision a.s.a.P.! **
BTW is the 2nd of TWO stages students must complete prior to earning their driver's license,
and where they will attempt to apply the knowledge they learned in the classroom to real-life driving situations.
Over the course of 9 weeks, students will learn the following:
- How to set their vehicle up for success prior to driving based on personal needs and preferences.
- How to demonstrate his/her judgment skills to effectively navigate and operate a motor vehicle.
- Identify specific roadway signs and lane markings while in traffic.
- Determine right-of-way rules at intersections, crosswalks, and stop lights.
- Apply essential driving skills and maneuvers in a variety of different situations.
- Execute a safe "off-road recovery."
- Perform a self-guided destination drive using their own directions to get from "Point A" to "Point B."
After the completion of this stage, students will have earned the privilege to obtain their driver's license.
and where they will attempt to apply the knowledge they learned in the classroom to real-life driving situations.
Over the course of 9 weeks, students will learn the following:
- How to set their vehicle up for success prior to driving based on personal needs and preferences.
- How to demonstrate his/her judgment skills to effectively navigate and operate a motor vehicle.
- Identify specific roadway signs and lane markings while in traffic.
- Determine right-of-way rules at intersections, crosswalks, and stop lights.
- Apply essential driving skills and maneuvers in a variety of different situations.
- Execute a safe "off-road recovery."
- Perform a self-guided destination drive using their own directions to get from "Point A" to "Point B."
After the completion of this stage, students will have earned the privilege to obtain their driver's license.
** gopro cameras **
Following a very generous donation to the DHS Driver's Education Department, we are extremely excited to announce that starting during Q1 of the 2022-2023 school year, student-driver's in BTW will have the opportunity to wear GoPro Cameras while they drive. After watching and analyzing these videos, instructors will be able to walk students through their mistakes (and successes), and provide them with specific feedback to help make meaningful adjustments and changes. Most importantly, these videos will be used to provide instructors with a better idea of exactly what a student-driver may be looking at, or “thinking,” while he/she completes specific skills or maneuvers, and drives in various roadway situations/scenarios. In the end, we believe that this unique teaching resource will help improve our student-driver's (1) knowledge, (2) recognition, (3) decision-making, and (4) overall driving abilities, making them safe and responsible drivers in our Dunlap/Peoria communities!
** HUGE "thank you" to Chad Kleine of Nixon Financial Agency for making this a reality! **
** HUGE "thank you" to Chad Kleine of Nixon Financial Agency for making this a reality! **
^^ Above are pictures and videos of DHS student-drivers taking the inaugural test-drives with our new GoPro Cameras!
HOW BTW WORKS:
1. There is a $150 BTW fee (this is an increase from the previous $50 fee, established in the Fall 2022-2023) students must
pay before being placed on the schedule list for the upcoming quarter. This money helps pay for gas, vehicle
maintenance, insurance, and other DE program costs.
2. Once a student has completed their classroom portion, he/she will be placed on the "BTW Master Schedule."
Student-drivers are selected to drive based on their birthdays, and available class schedules.
pay before being placed on the schedule list for the upcoming quarter. This money helps pay for gas, vehicle
maintenance, insurance, and other DE program costs.
2. Once a student has completed their classroom portion, he/she will be placed on the "BTW Master Schedule."
Student-drivers are selected to drive based on their birthdays, and available class schedules.
** Please understand that the counselors do not know when a student will take their btw portion.
If you have questions on when your son/daughter may take btw, please contact coach simmons directly. **
3. When a student-driver has been selected to drive, he/she will be paired with a driving instructor during the first
couple days of each new quarter. The student's instructor will find them, pass out schedules, and quickly explain the
process leading to the first day a student is to show-up to drive.
Student-drivers will be pulled from one of the following classes:
Study Hall - Physical Education - Band/Chorus OR ZERO HOUR - (7:20 AM)
4. Under Illinois State Law, students enrolled in an approved BTW Driver’s Education course are required to complete
AND pass Twelve (12) clock hours of instruction. This involves students completing Six (6) clock hours of
individualized driving, and Six (6) clock hours of (backseat) observation.
couple days of each new quarter. The student's instructor will find them, pass out schedules, and quickly explain the
process leading to the first day a student is to show-up to drive.
Student-drivers will be pulled from one of the following classes:
Study Hall - Physical Education - Band/Chorus OR ZERO HOUR - (7:20 AM)
4. Under Illinois State Law, students enrolled in an approved BTW Driver’s Education course are required to complete
AND pass Twelve (12) clock hours of instruction. This involves students completing Six (6) clock hours of
individualized driving, and Six (6) clock hours of (backseat) observation.
DRIVE DAY ATTENDANCE:
ANY STUDENT-DRIVER WHO MISSES MORE THAN THREE (3) SCHEDULED
BTW DRIVES, EXCUSED OR UNEXCUSED, IS SUBJECT TO BEING REMOVED
FROM THE SCHEDULE, AND PLACED INTO THE NEXT AVAILABLE QUARTER.
ANY STUDENT-DRIVER WHO MISSES MORE THAN THREE (3) SCHEDULED
BTW DRIVES, EXCUSED OR UNEXCUSED, IS SUBJECT TO BEING REMOVED
FROM THE SCHEDULE, AND PLACED INTO THE NEXT AVAILABLE QUARTER.
5. Each day a student drives with his/her instructor, they will have a specific "DRIVE GOAL" (skill/situation) in which
to practice and develop. Following each drive, the student will receive a grade from his/her instructor. A quick
breakdown of how grades will be administered to student-drivers is described below:
to practice and develop. Following each drive, the student will receive a grade from his/her instructor. A quick
breakdown of how grades will be administered to student-drivers is described below:
"1" = above average ; Student-driver successfully completed drive goal with no issues.
"2" = AVERAGE ; Student-driver needs further "coaching" (practice) to improve.
** ("Practice" Qualifies as both further practice with the instructor as well as practice at home.) **
"3" = below average ; Student-driver was not ready to perform/complete drive goal.
** (Driving instructor will repeat that day's lesson before moving onto the next skill/situation.) **
6. For a student to be eligible to take the Illinois State Cooperative Driving Test, he/she must “PASS” the BTW portion
(in addition to earning an “A” or “B” on the Illinois State Written Exam in classroom). Any student who finishes
with a "PASSING" grade, but determined by the instructor to NOT be ready for the test, will still PASS BTW. However,
he/she will be required to take the driving test at the DMV upon (1) turning SIXTEEN years old, AND (2) having held
his/her instructional driver’s permit for a total of NINE consecutive months.
(in addition to earning an “A” or “B” on the Illinois State Written Exam in classroom). Any student who finishes
with a "PASSING" grade, but determined by the instructor to NOT be ready for the test, will still PASS BTW. However,
he/she will be required to take the driving test at the DMV upon (1) turning SIXTEEN years old, AND (2) having held
his/her instructional driver’s permit for a total of NINE consecutive months.
*** B-T-W Midterm Report Card ***
At the half-way point of BTW (at least 3 hours of supervised instruction), your son/daughter's driving instructor
will sit down and evaluate him/her based on their performance thus far. This practice allows the student-driver
to see exactly where they stand in terms of some personal strengths and weaknesses related to specific
driving areas, as well as indicate whether or not the student-driver is on pace to (1) take the Illinois State Road Exam with his/her instructor at DHS, and (2) whether or not the student-driver is on pace to PASS the BTW portion.
A link to this report card is provided below:
At the half-way point of BTW (at least 3 hours of supervised instruction), your son/daughter's driving instructor
will sit down and evaluate him/her based on their performance thus far. This practice allows the student-driver
to see exactly where they stand in terms of some personal strengths and weaknesses related to specific
driving areas, as well as indicate whether or not the student-driver is on pace to (1) take the Illinois State Road Exam with his/her instructor at DHS, and (2) whether or not the student-driver is on pace to PASS the BTW portion.
A link to this report card is provided below:
THE THREE OUTCOMES OF BTW:
› STUDENT-DRIVER PASSES BTW AND TAKES THE STATE TEST WITH HIS/HER INSTRUCTOR.
› STUDENT-DRIVER PASSES BTW, BUT DOES NOT TAKE THE STATE TEST WITH HIS/HER INSTRUCTOR. STUDENT-DRIVER WILL TAKE THE STATE TEST @ THE D.M.V. (as stated above).
› STUDENT-DRIVER FAILS BTW, AND MUST RETAKE THIS PORTION WITH A NEW INSTRUCTOR at DHS.
› STUDENT-DRIVER PASSES BTW AND TAKES THE STATE TEST WITH HIS/HER INSTRUCTOR.
› STUDENT-DRIVER PASSES BTW, BUT DOES NOT TAKE THE STATE TEST WITH HIS/HER INSTRUCTOR. STUDENT-DRIVER WILL TAKE THE STATE TEST @ THE D.M.V. (as stated above).
› STUDENT-DRIVER FAILS BTW, AND MUST RETAKE THIS PORTION WITH A NEW INSTRUCTOR at DHS.
D.H.S TWO-FAIL POLICY:
STUDENT-DRIVERS @ DHS HAVE TWO OPPORTUNITIES TO SUCCESSFULLY PASS
THE BTW PORTION. ANY STUDENT WHO DOES NOT PASS BTW, AFTER TWO
ATTEMPTS, WILL NOT BE ABLE TO TAKE IT A THIRD TIME AT D.H.S.
STUDENT-DRIVERS @ DHS HAVE TWO OPPORTUNITIES TO SUCCESSFULLY PASS
THE BTW PORTION. ANY STUDENT WHO DOES NOT PASS BTW, AFTER TWO
ATTEMPTS, WILL NOT BE ABLE TO TAKE IT A THIRD TIME AT D.H.S.
7. Once a student-driver has completed the BTW portion, he/she will be eligible to head to the DMV.
VALUABLE LINKS & RESOURCES
BTW Student-Driver Folder
The example linked here shows a blank example of what a student driving portfolio looks likes in BTW. Student-drivers will be sent their Google folder when they have been selected for BTW. Student-drivers and instructors will use this folder throughout the entire BTW portion, and it is designed to be shared with parents as well. This allows everyone involved (student-driver, instructor, and parents/guardians) to understand where the student is in their progression towards earning their driver's license.
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"Real Id" Cards
In 2005, the US Federal Government (Homeland Security) passed the "REAL ID" Act. Starting in May of 2025, ALL US citizens will be required to have a "personalized identification card." These will look similar, but act differently than a traditional driver's license. These ID cards can be obtained from the DMV - ($10 for anyone under 18 years of age / $20 for anyone 18 years or older). BTW Instructors are asking that all new driver's apply for these ID cards at the same time they go to receive their driver's licenses. Please see the link to the left for more information or further clarification.
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2026 summer btw
Please click the links below to read about information pertaining to Summer BTW at Dunlap High School.
Info related to Summer BTW 2026 is attached in the links below.
Students are now able to sign-up/apply for Summer BTW.
Info related to Summer BTW 2026 is attached in the links below.
Students are now able to sign-up/apply for Summer BTW.
