Marietta/Cobb Driver’s Education Program Awarded $364,190

Drivers Ed_011Marietta/Cobb Driver’s Education Program Awarded $364,190. Grant to fund the purchase of 20 vehicles for driving instruction

Marietta/Cobb Driver’s Education (MCDE), a joint program of Cobb County Schools and Marietta City Schools, received a $364,190 grant award from the Georgia Driver Education Commission (GDEC). Grant funds are for the purchase of 20 vehicles for driving instruction, textbooks for additional classes, and safety equipment.  MCDE serves high school students in Marietta City, Cobb County, Bartow County, Fulton County and surrounding areas.

The GDEC awards funds to programs that promote, aid and encourage the successful completion of a Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) approved driver training course for students who desire to qualify for a Georgia Class D driver’s license as required by O.C.G.A § 40-5-22, also known as Joshua’s Law. An approved program includes 30 hours of classroom instruction and six hours of behind the wheel driver training instruction.

“Marietta/Cobb Driver’s Education Program continues to set the standard for driver’s education both statewide and nationally,” said MCS Superintendent Dr. Emily Lembeck. “MCDE has grown into the largest teen program in the state,serving  students in counties beyond Cobb/Marietta and offers a first rate course for minimal charge thus allowing a large population of students to complete driving instruction.”  “This is great news for the Cobb County School District and will save usapproximately $125,000” said Chris Ragsdale, Cobb County School District Superintendent. “It is also an excellent example of how we work as partners with the Marietta City School District to benefit all of our stakeholders within Cobb County.”
MCDE is under the umbrella of Marietta Community School, a division of Marietta City Schools. The program owns 49 cars and has 54 licensed instructors, most of whom are also certified school teachers. It is the first public school program licensed by the Georgia Department of Motor Vehicle Safety and celebrates 30 years of operation since its opening in 1985.
For more information about the Marietta/Cobb Driver Education Program, visit http://www.mariettacommunityschool.com/drive_ed/.