Pulling Your Kids Out of School to Travel: Thoughts?

When I was a child, my parents pulled us out numerous times to travel. I was however, always required to report on the trip. I loved every trip we took. Europe, Canada,FL.

I would not hesitate in the least to pull my 6yo DD out for a trip.

IMO, school is not the only place to learn. In fact, I feel that there is MUCH more to learn on the road than in the classroom.

Hi Katie,
Although my children are currently being schooled by tutorial method, they still attend many classes outside of the home,so hopefully some of these tips will help.

Through the years we have always traveled during the shoulder or slow season, which has meant pulling our children out of classes. Fortunately,we have never had any problems with this.

When my children attended public school in kindergarten and 2nd grade, I don't remember worrying about homework when I pulled them out for 2 wks (10 school days)to visit DC. and Williamsburg. I think we took along basic arithmetic sheets and a spelling lists. I can truthfully say that this absence did not seem to impair or hold them back academically in any way.

For the trips we've taken throughout the elementary years I offered to print out homework for my children if this would be a help to the teacher. I would often share with the teacher some of what we would be doing that is educational--and of course all travel is educational-- and offer to have my child share it when returning...and Acknowledging,with a thank you note,our appreciation to all teachers was always received well.

Things do began to change as one goes through middle school and high school.

On our most recent trip to France (Oct/Nov 2008),we began to plan out schoolwork in the summer; what homework,papers,projects etc. would be due during the time we would be traveling.

My children are in high school so the reading lists were available in the summer, and about half of their syllabus was available before the school year began.

On enrollment I spoke to their instructors about our plans and asked how/if it would affect each child's standing in class. For this trip I was prepared to find other classes if their instructors were not able to accommodate. However, each teacher was graciously and completely willing to work with us, and my son's chemistry teacher even joined an on-line site that would allow him to receive instruction and homework while we were in Paris.

Of course my children did have to give up a month of summer break in order to prepare for this, but we were gone for 4 wks. 1 week out of school would be so much easier for the average vacation.

Overall, since we take only one 2-4 wk vacation (or as I like to call a "family journey")a year, this method has worked well for us, and although a certain amount of preparation has been required, the benefits for us have been priceless.

I have seen some pretty heated discussion about this topic in the past so I am curious regarding some of the thoughts.

I really felt sad when we transitioned from preschool to elementary school and I felt more locked in to school holidays.

That said I really really took advantage of the flex of preschool and did a lot of travelling. So budget and a new baby have kept us a bit more grounded as we have made transition to school.

I believe that in the end the family is the most important influence and that can be celebrated when you make family travel a priority even when missing school.

I guess I would also limit how often I make the choice to miss school just to reduce the cost. I feel more compelled when it is to go to a time critical event (wedding, join on a conference etc).

In the next 5 years I hope to take a longer trip maybe missing a whole semester and homeschooling as needed. Let's see how it goes.

Katie there's a thread in the Lounge with 100 answers to this very question from last month.

Almost every year my parents would pull my brother and I out of school in October to go to Disney for a week (1 year it was 2.5 weeks). We would get our assignments and have everything done when we got back. The last time that we did it was my freshman year in high school and had my only issue with a teacher- teacher did not tell me about an assignment and failed me on it. I still passed the class but missed out on the Honors Society by 1/10 of a point (essentially because of the B I got, rather than the A).

I was always diligent to get the work done on time. Doubt I can say the same about my brother. These were also the only days that I would miss all year. Friends of mine usually could tell it was Columbus Day week when I would be getting the assignments. 1 year I was there on the Tuesday before and was being asked why I hadn't left yet. no trip was planned until Tuesday - left on Thursday.

It worked great as the lines at Disney were minimal.

That maybe OK in the US, but here in Belgium, and also in Holland, you will get into serious trouble with the school. You could even get fined for it.
Especially for kids in high school, it's not something you can easily do. They have exams the week before a major holiday. It's not something I would do just to be able to take the kids to Disneyland out of season.

My child is only four so I don't have to make any decisions yet but I have taken my then 15 year old neice to Costa Rica and she missed a few days. The teachers at her school thought it was wonderful for her to experience another country. We also made her practice her Spanish when she had a chance. We are taking her to Honduras in April on her spring break (she will again miss a few days) and we have gotten the same response. I think it depends on the child, the type of trip and of course the school.

Hmmn, a question which requires one to do an 'assignment' - read a linked article by the travelingmamas - before responding. Given the nature of the subject, to wit, can kids manage the necessary discipline to do homework in the face of other distractions, I wonder if this was a deliberate action on Katie's part....


I think the travelingmamas covered the ground pretty well, and unlike many of the discussions held to date on this subject, the 'mamas' stuck mainly to offering solutions for any potential problems, instead of dismissing the possibility of any potential problems.

Although I'm not a teacher, I can well remember the stress of having my concerns about a project summarily dismissed, when it was my behind on the line for the success of the project! So I can empathize with teachers who feel nervous at the prospect of losing control over those for whose performance they are at least partially accountable.

I especially liked tip number 3 - 'figure out how children will make up the work.' As someone who finds it hard, even as an adult, to work while on vacation, this question is worth answering in some detail - and by the person who caused the situation, in other words, not the teacher!

Thanks for sharing your tips; I like to let you all know now and then about articles on Fodor's that I think will be of particular interest. We don't yet have comments turned on for our Fodor's news section and we wanted people to be able to add their own comments and tips if they wish--hence I started a thread.

Everyone seems to have an opinion on this topic so it's interesting reading all sides. I have several teachers in my family and I've definitely heard my share of laments from them about their students missing class.

I don't have children myself but just from growing up I fondly remember the times that I was pulled of school for travel. It didn't happen that often but my mom was always very good about making some special project that I'd need to complete about the trip to share with my class.

As a teacher, K-12, for over 30 years, I've had some time to think about this. Also, as a parent, I have taken my kids out of school a few times, so I've thought about it from the view of the traveling parent, too.

As a guideline,remember that "making up homework" in advance or during a trip is not the same as being in class. A classroom develops a community of learners, and homework is simply practice, not the learning environment. It's important to respect the learning environment the teacher works so hard to create.

For most of us who write on this link, travel is a fact of life-- one of our ways to learn about the world. However, we need to be sure that we don't overstep. Very, very low on our list of priorities for family travel should be choosing dates because they are more convenient or cheaper for us, without finding out how inconvenient or costly they can be in the classroom.

I realize there are exceptions to every rule, but here is one worth thinking about when planning family travel: the last two weeks of school, particularly in an elementary school, are usually very chaotic, and more involved with culminating events and projects than with any new learning. While your child may be missing some of the fun, she/he will not be the missing piece of something that will be built upon throughout the year, nor will your child miss any newly introduced curriculum.

As the spouse of a teacher, I can relate to this subject from a Teacher's point of view.

Parents do not realize how much extra work it is for the teachers of kids being taken out of school. These parents expect the teachers to prepare lesson plans, homework packets, tests, etc for the kids to take on vacation. This is quite inconsiderate treatment for teachers who already put in hours of unpaid overtime...

When I was growing up, I remember some kids taking a week off during school to go to Hawaii, skiing, etc. on family vacations. I remember when they came back that in most cases, the teacher assigned another student to "tutor" the absent kid back up to speed.

I don't think it's a simple yes or no answer. I think there are many things to consider and that it shouldn't be based simply on convenience for the parent. I think that the inconvenience to the teachers, the other students, the kids, and the parents should be considered equally and then an unbiased decision made on a case-by-case basis. Just because Jr took off a week last year and was fine, doesn't mean that it's an OK decision this time.

We don't do that anymore. It's not fair to the kids because the older they get in school the more material there is to make up. My youngest son is 15 and in 10th grade, even a sick day can result in a lot of extra work.

It's one thing when they were in the early years of school, but by Jr. or Sr. High School it's asking a lot of the child - especially when jetlag upon return is in the equation.

I am a high school teacher and parent of two DDs. While I appreciate the educational opportunities traveling can provide, I have many students miss over a week of class for "shorter lines at Disney" and less expensive flights. I would never expect a teacher to bend over backwards so that I could get a better deal on a Disney vacation. It is unfair to everyone that is involved in the classroom community! It is very difficult to make up a week or more of content, and it happens more than you would imagine. We've just instituted a policy that requires a teacher to subtract 10 points from a student's grade if they miss more than 10 classes- unexcused, meaning without a doctor's note, obituary, etc.

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We've just instituted a policy that requires a teacher to subtract 10 points from a student's grade if they miss more than 10 classes- unexcused, meaning without a doctor's note, obituary, etc.
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What grade do you teach?

While I appreciate the difficult position a teacher may be in because a student is away on vacation, subtracting points from a grade is just wrong. Grades are a measure of how well one does on assignments, tests etc. (i.e. how well did they learn the material). If a student's learning is affected by an absence this will be reflected in the marks and justifiably so. However, if the student's learning is not affected, there shouldn't be a penalty just for not being in class.

IMO public schools in the US are as good or bad as the individual teacher.

Some teachers are great, challenge the kids and actually get results.

Other teachers don't challenge the kids, do daily handouts instead of lesson plans and add periodic quizes with questions and answers pulled directly from the teachers guide. They generally design their curriculum around whatever requires the least effort on their part.

Even the best teachers deal with systems who insist on mixing kids of different abilities in classes in the name of "fairness". The mixing makes it harder to taylor coursework to the level of the student.

Ironically, the teachers who are most pleased when I take my kids on a trip are the good teachers. We work out a deal to do a journal and create a report about something germaine to the class curriculum. For music, we take in and write critiques of some performances. For art, we visit an art museum and make notes about some of the great works. For history, we visit a famous battlefield or other historical landmark. For math, we pack photocopies from the book and do daily work. For PE, we take a pedometer and log the amount of miles we're walking.

The bad teachers seem put out that my kid won't be in class. They can't even be bothered to print out a few weeks of handouts for my kids to do on their trip. These are the teachers who make it hardest. They don't want to review any extra work my kid might have done and don't want to give my kid a chance to make up work. It might require some extra effort on their part.

I'm sorry if I'm starting an argument. The teacher's union is adamant there are no bad teachers but everyone, including teachers, knows that's not true.

There are teachers that don't want to do extra work but these are not the majority of us! Most teachers are well meaning individuals who could make much more $ in the private sector. Many of us are called to this field because of the meaningful nature of what we do. I leave school most days feeling full- full of a sense that I connected with students in a meaningful way.
I can't imagine another career that would provide me with a sense of not knowing where the ripples from the thrown rock into the water will end. It is an optimistic endeavor! People get into teaching for many reasons, most honestly altruistic, but many get burnt out due to lack of support and difficult circumstances. I feel drained many days because I care and I encounter abuse, neglect, and a variety of heart-breaking, time consuming issues, in addition to preparing exciting lessons because I love my discipline and the challenge to make a difference in education. I teach grades 9-12. Bdjtbenson, as an art teacher I'd be thrilled that you made your trip an authentic educational experience. This is not the case, overwhelmingly.

As an elementary teacher and lover of travel, I must echo "sandals" sentiments. Thank you for your thoughtful response.

I would (and have) definitely pull my kids out of school in order to travel.

On long trips (e.g. 3 weeks in China), we've had our then 4 and 6 year old send emails back to their classes and do a presentation (with mom help if needed) to their class upon return.

CanadaKate

I am pulling my daughter out of school for three days in march. its her senior year - she only has one major class - teacher aid, PE classes.... so she will not be missing alot of instruction. she has been told to let her teachers know she will be gone and to make up any and all work, including particpation points.

as a teacher I had students pulled out for travel. I have a bear they took on trips and then did a report to the class and any assignments that they missed.

there is so much to learn from travel and sometimes we have to take advantage of it.

I teach high school in an area with many students whose families are from far-away countries.

We have students miss two or three weeks of school to go back to India, Korea, Vietnam, Pakistan, etc for family events. When the parents are paying so much for airline tickets, of course they want to stay awhile.

Generally, the students do a great job of working with the teachers to do work while they are gone and keep up with their classes. We can do a great deal with Blackboard.com and email to help them keep in touch, and most of the kids use the long plane rides to do all their required reading.

We also have families that get deals and take kids out for great travel experiences. Again, as long as the families work with us to plan how the students will keep up with their work, I think it is fine in moderation.

Is it a perfect situation? Of course not, but what is? Will they miss some of my incredible wisdom and dynamic classroom experiences? Sure. But...in the grand scheme of their lives, is visiting another culture more important as a life lesson? Yes, 100%.

(Of course, I don't consider Disney a life lesson, except maybe in consumerism, but that's my opinion.)

The kids come back with a greater sense of the world and themselves, and they learn about responsibility and self-advocacy as they make arrangements to stay on track academically. They are able to make meaningful connections to their studies. For example, one of my AP Literature students just took a week off to go to Ireland. He read Portrait of an Artist as a Young Man as his independent reading and researched James Joyce.

So, I am in favor of allowing families a bit of leeway in taking their kids out to travel.

Blueswimmer, I agree with everything you said, and wish all teachers could be as reasonable...I think not all school districts allow the kind of flexibility you seem to have.

Our older son has missed the last week of school twice now to allow us to travel to Scotland. Both times the timing was determined by work-related obligations my husband had. And the last week of school is really a 'throwaway' anyway, as sandals pointed out.

During the year is a tougher question because of our state's emphasis on standardized testing. I think it would be stressful for both him and his teacher for him to miss time in the weeks leading up to the all-important FCAT. (I am being sarcastic about the importance of FCAT, but not about the stress.) That doesn't mean it will never happen, just that it would really have to be an extraordinary opportunity for us to take him out mid-year. (Disney, definitely not.)

Our school district has a policy in place regarding approved absences, so I would just add to the list of "tips" to be sure that you are complying with any school- or district-wide policies in addition to making up work in your child's classroom.