Unusual Instructors

[Charles L. Cotton]

The entire CHL program has been around since 1995. The value of a program can and should be measured by its success and one could hardly imagine a more successful state program. The CHL v. General Population Crime Stats reveal the great track record achieved by CHL's and the numbers have gotten progressively better over the years. For the last four years, CHL's are 15 times less likely to commit a crime than the general population. This is a much better record than Texas law enforcement! That's success and CHL instructors are a key part of that success.

The Texas Legislature via the Gov't Code specifies the subject matter to be taught as well as the minimum times. The 10 hour requirement for a new license to far too long and every instructor must decide where to put the additional six hours. I applaud the freedom DPS gives instructors to design the best class they can. If DPS were to draft and mandate specific lesson plans, we could have greater uniformity, but the 17 year success of the CHL program means such uniformity isn't necessary and indeed could very well be detrimental. If specific lesson plans were mandated, then instructors would not have the flexibility to adapt discussions to those very valuable questions from students that provide great learning/teaching opportunities. Plus uniformity can mean uniformly bad lesson plans and classes.

Have you audited a number of different instructors' classes in order to personally observe the practices you have described, or is anecdotal information from others?

Chas.

Well, I have seen a few "unusual instructors" myself. In fact, some would say that I am a bit unusual... especially the gun-bigots that hate when I say, "You can actually use a Kel-Tec for a Concealed Handgun." That gets a lot of instructors hopping mad.

What bothers me is that DPS does not spend a little more time with instructors. I have one instructor that is local that everyone loves because he simply teaches the test. He has a lot of "Down Time" while students talk with each other and wonder if the instructor will be coming back to the classroom any time soon. If you can't read the test, he will read it to you. If you can't read English, he will simply tell you the answers. Most instructors are starting to see that the only thing DPS really cares about is getting people to sign away their Constitutional Rights to privacy. It is illegal for any criminal justice agency to get that information about you without; 1. probably cause, 2. investigating of a crime, 3. you signing an affidavit that allows them to do a background check on you. (I am a graduate of the Police Academy... and this is what they taught me).

The bottom line is: The State Constitution says you can keep and bear arms. The U.S. Constitution says you can keep and bear arms. The only thing the CHL offers is for you to carry "Concealed" into public.

However, "Unusual" and "Poor" CHL instructors could be the downfall of the program if left unchecked. I, personally, have issues with the Instructor's program simply because I have completed "Instructor's Training Programs" with the Military Non Commissioned Officers Education Services, Texas Department of Health Emergency Medical Services, Texas Commission of Fire Protection, National Rifle Association, American Red Cross, American Heart Association, and National Aquatic School. Because of this, I find myself being a little too critical of the Instructor's Program that is presented by DPS.... so bear with me.

The biggest problem I see is that there is no set standard for the program. There are 4 subjects that must be taught. There is no time limit for each, and the instructor has no set curriculum to follow to keep on track. Therefore, many instructors will try to add in 20 years of experience that only helps to "Entertain" the group until the time for the class is up. Others will try to "baffle them with bull" until the time limit is up.

The Association (TCHA) has put out some PPT programs that are somewhat standardized. However, if you followed the PowerPoint to the letter, you would be teaching a 20 hour class. That PowerPoint program is designed so that instructors can subtract as they desire and add what they want. With that, we are back to the fact that there is not a lot of standardization in the program. This means that a student in El Paso will not have the same training as someone in Houston (although there will be some standards covered...just not in the same manner). To add to this is the fact that these PPT can be a distraction. Any decent instructor training program will teach you to avoid lengthy, confusing, and over-produced presentations. What you get with a class that is one big PPT program is a lot of sleepy, bored, and uninterested students.

I designed a "Modular" program with "Pop Quizzes". I give the pop quiz at the beginning of each hour. 10 questions over the topic to follow for that next hour. No pass/fail. Then we discuss the pop quiz and review the material. The pop quiz takes about 5 minutes. The review takes about 10 minutes. Then I go over the module; 35 minutes. The pop quiz gives me time to review and prepare for the next hour. The review allows for "Class Participation". Then the didactic is limited to 35 minutes. Then comes the 10 minute break. Students see me handing out the pop quiz on the hour and are compelled to sit and read... or get left behind. If I need visuals, I print them up in a handout.

I intentionally designed my Instructors Manual so that there are no videos, projectors, electronics, or posters. This was purposely done so that I could add these in if I wanted to... but took into account that modern electronics will fail when you need them the most. During the writing of a detailed curriculum for my course, I realized that I might want to market it. Therefore, I needed to make it work for everyone. I designed it so that an instructor could simply print up a packet (Appendices from the Manual) for each student (about $3 to $5) and give to each student. The Handout allows for each student to have the material in front of them, take notes, and prepare for the final exam. It also gives them something to take home. Lastly, it includes all of the information that is presented in the CHL-16 that you can get online; therefore, you don't have to order any CHL-16's for your students.

I designed this Instructor's Manual so that the instructor will have a set standard for setting up, presenting, and ending the program in a standardized routine. I modeled it after the U.S. Army NCOES programs and the National Rifle Association's training program. Two years in the making, I think I have it fairly well ready to mass produce. I have let some instructors review it and they feel that it is well worth the concept.

Maybe I will try to market it later this year.......

I try to use some videos that are approved by DPS, but only if available. I never bank on having them for the class simply because I cannot trust that the electronics will work when I need them.

[rubio]

The Texas Legislature via the Gov't Code specifies the subject matter to be taught as well as the minimum times. The 10 hour requirement for a new license to far too long and every instructor must decide where to put the additional six hours.

That's amazing. Even with an extra six hours, there are still a lot of people who didn't learn about 46.035 (i) and (k), the legal definition of intoxication, all the requirements that have to be met before a sign counts as 30.06 notice, the definition of premises, civil immunity, and other common gaps in knowledge. Not to mention all the old wives tales I hear from people who passed a class, although I guess that's what bad instructors teach instead of the law.

[TexasGal]

It isn't always bad instructors. A person's ability to just walk into a day long class and learn everything in one sitting is limited. Any instructor will tell you it is a challenge to hold the attention of the class for 10 hours no matter how good you are at teaching. Important information will not be recalled a week, a month, or a year later by most people. If there is one thing that Instructors must impress on their classes it is that the class is NOT the only time the student should hear and study the info. Every student must be willing to study and refresh their memory and understanding of the laws and safe gun handling on an ongoing basis through the take home materials provided, the CHL16, this forum, etc.

[wally775]

+1 to Texasgal.
Well said. Well said.

[Charles L. Cotton]

+1 to Texasgal.
Well said. Well said.

Indeed, very well said.

Chas.

[MoJo]

+1 to Texasgal.
Well said. Well said.

Indeed, very well said.

Chas.

Amen Sister, Amen!

[Moby]

I think telling the world you have a CCW by wearing a badge is foolish from a tactical stand point.
Guys that wear that stuff are boy scout wanna be's.
I did put my CHL certificate in my man cave at home.
It's up with my Coast Guard stuff on the "I love me" wall.
Wearing any kind of badge is someone trying to imply authority wear none exists.

[tacticool]

Guys that wear that stuff are boy scout wanna be's.

That puts them a couple notches above guys with an "I love me" wall.

[tacticool]

It isn't always bad instructors. A person's ability to just walk into a day long class and learn everything in one sitting is limited. Any instructor will tell you it is a challenge to hold the attention of the class for 10 hours no matter how good you are at teaching.

No doubt there are bad students as well as bad instructors, and mall ninjas can be found on both sides of the classroom.

I also wanted to jump in to remind people that DPS doesn't require all 10-15 hours to be delivered in one sitting. It's a popular format but it's not a requirement, and an instructor can split it into 2-3 hour blocks after work if they think that's a better way to teach the material.

[WildBill]

I also wanted to jump in to remind people that DPS doesn't require all 10-15 hours to be delivered in one sitting. It's a popular format but it's not a requirement, and an instructor can split it into 2-3 hour blocks after work if they think that's a better way to teach the material.

I think that most CHL students just want to get it over with ASAP.

[Seabear]

I also wanted to jump in to remind people that DPS doesn't require all 10-15 hours to be delivered in one sitting. It's a popular format but it's not a requirement, and an instructor can split it into 2-3 hour blocks after work if they think that's a better way to teach the material.

I think that most CHL students just want to get it over with ASAP.

I've done it both ways, and I agree, one day and get'er done seems more popular. I know I like it better too.

[Oldgringo]

Has anyone ever wondered whether the mandated 10 hour course is a legislative smokescreen attempt to justify the $140 Texas state fee? Are $140 Texas CH licensees really more knowledgeable and responsible than say $10 Alabama licensees? Just askin...

[Geaux Tigers]

Has anyone ever wondered whether the mandated 10 hour course is a legislative smokescreen attempt to justify the $140 Texas state fee? Are $140 Texas CH licensees really more knowledgeable and responsible than say $10 Alabama licensees? Just askin...

It's the same logic that says a Virginia license is good enough to carry in Texas if you're from Virginia because they know guns, but not if you're a Texan because we don't.

[TexasGal]

For someone familiar with guns and with the law in general, then the mandated length of the class is more than that person needs. But there is a huge number of people who show up at CHL classes with pretty much zero knowledge both of the law and of guns as their starting point. It seems reasonable those particular students who get a mail order license from somewhere to save some money are more likely to blunder into breaking a Texas law they never heard of. As the sheer numbers of CHL's increases, the chances of unfavorable events in the news goes up too. We have seen the feeding frenzy that went on in Florida. From what was said in my instructor's class, the DPS worries a lot about that and wants to make sure we are educating the students to protect our right to carry. Considering the improvements DPS has made in the CHL program, I don't see that the fee is all that big of a deal. It's not even an annual fee. My other license fees are all annual and if I add up 5 years worth, it comes out to a heck of a lot more.

[Charles L. Cotton]

Has anyone ever wondered whether the mandated 10 hour course is a legislative smokescreen attempt to justify the $140 Texas state fee? Are $140 Texas CH licensees really more knowledgeable and responsible than say $10 Alabama licensees? Just askin...

Nope, it was in the original bill (SB60). It was pulled right out of the air simply because we had to set some time limit to keep someone from deciding it needs to be 40 hours. There were suggestions from 10 hours to 40 hours, each without a shred of evidence to support it. Some people wanted annual renewals with the renewal classes to be the same 10 - 40 hours.

It was all brand new territory then, but now we know it doesn't take 10 hours to teach what the statute mandates. (As much as I like the non-violent dispute resolution part of the class, I think that statutory requirement should be repealed.) If 4 hours is sufficient for renewals, it's sufficient for the initial class. We instructors will simply have to create new classes, just as we had to do in 1995. I know some instructors don't like the idea of reducing the required class hours, but it is in the best interest of Texas gun owners and the CHL program. Class fees will come down and people will also have a smaller investment of time, both of which will result in more people getting a CHL.

People who sit through a 10 hour or 4 hour Texas CHL class are far more knowledgeable about Texas law than someone who did not take a Texas class.

Chas.