Dane County Executive and Madison Metropolitan School District Superintendent Announce Expansion of Driver’s License Program to All Madison High Schools

May 02, 2016
Stephanie Miller 608-267-8823
County Executive

MADISON- Today, Dane County Executive Joe Parisi and Madison Metropolitan School District Superintendent  Jennifer Cheatham announced an expansion of a partnership to help more young people obtain a driver’s license, who wouldn’t be able to afford one otherwise, as part of County Executive Parisi’s Access to Opportunity Initiative launched last year. The pilot phase included students at East and Memorial in the Madison Metropolitan School District. This expansion will mean teens at all high schools in Madison have the opportunity to apply.

 

“I am thrilled that through partnership we were able to expand this program to all Madison High Schools.”  said  Joe Parisi Dane County Executive. “Because of this initiative more kids will obtain their driver’s license and have doors opened to them they wouldn’t have without it.”

 

M3 insurance, Findorff construction, the United Way of Dane County and MG&E’s investment into this initiative helped to make this expansion possible.

 

"We're so pleased that we'll be able to expand this valuable program to all four of our comprehensive high schools," Superintendent Jennifer Cheatham said. "The ability to obtain a driver's license is a major barrier to employment, and I want to thank the County Executive for helping us remove that barrier for more of our students. We are proud to partner on this program."

 

Driver’s Education Scholarship applications are being accepted through May 6, 2016. Recipients of the Driver’s Education Scholarship will receive admission and fee waiver to the Driver’s Education Summer Scholars Program, a value of $400. The classroom portion will be conducted this summer at all Madison high schools.

 

There were 50 total spots last year during the pilot, and to date, 38 students have completed their temporary license and behind the wheel. This year, there will be 100 spots (25 per high school).

 

Parisi launched Access to Opportunity in 2015 to break down barriers to success that too many face in our community. The most reliable vehicle out of poverty and toward upward mobility is accessing and maintaining family sustaining employment.  The driver’s license expansion being announced today will support our residents in obtaining a driver’s license which is a significant barrier for disadvantaged youth in Dane County.