Fairfield County ESC Launches Full-Service Drivers Education Program
March 3, 2025 – Fairfield County Education Service Center (ESC) is ushering in the next generation of student drivers through a collaboration with eight local school districts, the Workforce Development Center, and Eastland-Fairfield Career and Technical Schools.
Stemming from Governor DeWine’s administration and the Ohio Department of Public Safety, $4.5 million in grant funding through the Creating Opportunities for Driver Education (CODE) Grant Program was divided to 100 schools across the state. Fairfield ESC received a portion of the funding to expand access to affordable and high-quality driver education for students in Fairfield County beginning Feb. 3, 2025.
The Fairfield County ESC Drivers Education Program, in facilitation with TWP Driving Academy, is set to increase proper training and knowledge for young adults to achieve their driver’s license. The robust program, which comprises of four in-car driving instructors and two vehicles, enables students aged 15 ½ to 17 years of age to enroll in a comprehensive nine-step process that prepares them to take their driving test at the BMV. Upon registration, students will select the appropriate course pathway for their driver education – a comprehensive program, which includes a 24-hour online course along with eight hours of behind-the-wheel training, or the drive-only program, which consists solely of the eight hours of in-car instruction.
The Fairfield County ESC Drivers Education program fulfills a need expressed by local districts and employers to support high school students in their driver’s education as it interrelates to workforce readiness. The program aims to fill two to four additional behind-the-wheel instructor positions, along with a third vehicle, by May.
“This initiative is a result of impact-driven collaboration with over two years in the making, and we’re ready to see the profound changes it makes for young people in our community.” said Marie Ward, Ph.D., Superintendent, Fairfield County ESC.
Eastland-Fairfield Career and Technical Schools applied their expertise to install auxiliary brakes for instructors in the service vehicles and will continue to play a key role in the ongoing maintenance and management.
The Fairfield County Educational Service Center provides student-centered educational leadership and supportive services to meet the individual and collective needs of the staff, students and boards of education of the eight local school districts located in Fairfield County. More information can be found at faircoesc.org
