Approve Renewal Contract with C.E. Mendez Foundation Inc. for Raydon-RVD Driver Training Simulators (Secondary Education)

On August 9, 2005, the School Board approved a pilot program at Bloomingdale High School to provide a Raydon-RVD Driver Training Simulator along with a service and support component for the driver education program. A renewal contract agreement has been developed to provide simulators to each of the district's high schools.

The contract provides for the delivery and installation of the simulators, modification of the simulators' software to reflect district curriculum, staff training, and pre and post evaluations of the program. Using the simulator, students will have the opportunity to apply and demonstrate immediately what they have learned in the classroom to actual "hands-on" driving situations. In addition, the simulator provides experience in driving in hazardous conditions such as interstate driving or in thunderstorms which is not currently provided. This initiative allows schools more flexibility for scheduling students into driver education and increases the number of “behind the wheel” hours provided to students.

During the pilot program, driving skills of Bloomingdale High School driver education students indicated improvement both on the range and on public roads. The use of simulators enabled the students to make wiser decisions when driving in hazardous conditions and increased their recognition of traffic signs and lane markers. Instructors reported improvement in the students' overall driving ability as measured by student performance and grades.

Goal 1 - The percentage of students scoring at Level 3 or higher on FCAT reading will increase a minimum of 5 percentage points.

The cost per simulator is approximately $27,000. Dori Slosberg funds provided to the district are designed to enhance existing driver education programs. As funds are made available to the district, simulators will be purchased for the high schools. Any additional cost incurred above the $30,000 will be the responsibility of the C.E. Mendez Foundation.