What's educational about Disney Cruise?

[eeyoreandtink]

My family has learned a lot from our travels, myself included. No I did not make out lesson plans before each trip. I guess our definitions of "learning" is completely different.

We all learn things every day. That doesn't mean it can and should replace our education. Of course a kid can learn something on a cruise, but those small, incidental learnings don't make it a replacement for school or an "educational trip". Just because I learned that the Bahamas in an island territory with its own government doesn't mean that takes the place of a week of Social Studies, Math, English, and Science.

 

[cruiser21]

We all learn things every day. That doesn't mean it can and should replace our education. Of course a kid can learn something on a cruise, but those small, incidental learnings don't make it a replacement for school or an "educational trip". Just because I learned that the Bahamas in an island territory with its own government doesn't mean that takes the place of a week of Social Studies, Math, English, and Science.

We're not talking about replacing a kids education with a cruise. I think your missing the whole point of the question.

 

[cruiser21]

The definition that counts is what a public school district would agree is an "educational trip" as opposed to a vacation with some learning. Those are higher standards than yours.

I'm pulling my son out of school next month, and I really don't care what they think. What they care about is attendance for their state funding. They could care less if the trip is educational or not.

 

[cadien]

I'm pulling my son out of school next month, and I really don't care what they think. What they care about is attendance for their state funding. They could care less if the trip is educational or not.

But the OP's school district does care. It was not a rhetorical question.

 

[eeyoreandtink]

We're not talking about replacing a kids education with a cruise. I think your missing the whole point of the question.

Actually, we are , for that week. That is what getting an educational exemption assumes. You are replacing that week of school with meaningful educational activity.

 

[eeyoreandtink]

I'm pulling my son out of school next month, and I really don't care what they think. What they care about is attendance for their state funding. They could care less if the trip is educational or not.

Lots of districts DO care, and will not give excused absences for non-educational trips which can lead to truancy court or, in high school, loss of credit.

 

[cruiser21]

Lots of districts DO care, and will not give excused absences for non-educational trips which can lead to truancy court or, in high school, loss of credit.

It’s not because they care about your childs education. It’s funny because I forgot to log my sons attendance last week. Even though he was online for all the classes and turned in all his papers they’re still freaking out and threatening me with truancy. Even when I do log his attendance I make up the hours to fit their requirements. It’s ridiculous.
I know most parents will lie when pulling their kids of school. It’s unfortunate it’s come to that.

 

[tvguy]

Lots of districts DO care, and will not give excused absences for non-educational trips which can lead to truancy court or, in high school, loss of credit.

Varies from state to state. Here it is truancy and once a semester they do go after the parents.

Their argument, school is only in session 38 weeks, leaving 14 weeks for vacations.

 

[eeyoreandtink]

It’s not because they care about your childs education. It’s funny because I forgot to log my sons attendance last week. Even though he was online for all the classes and turned in all his papers they’re still freaking out and threatening me with truancy. Even when I do log his attendance I make up the hours to fit their requirements. It’s ridiculous.
I know most parents will lie when pulling their kids of school. It’s unfortunate it’s come to that.

Having worked with truancy officers, I have to say that it IS ABSOLUTELY because they care about children's education. Kids need to be at school. When parents aren't assuring that they are, either in a traditional classroom, online, or with a parent then someone NEEDS to step in. There are many children wh would not get an adequate education without the truancy system. Should there be a better policy for vacation? I think so, but lying to skirt responsibility does nothing to fix that. That's just sad, and what does it teach the child in question when we lie to beat the system?

You seem very jaded about education in general and its worth. I think that not choosing to educate future generations to the best of our abilities is essentially shooting ourselves in the foot. Why would we not want the best, most prepared leaders to take over?

 

[eeyoreandtink]

Varies from state to state. Here it is truancy and once a semester they do go after the parents.

Their argument, school is only in session 38 weeks, leaving 14 weeks for vacations.

I think it's a valid one. There are lots of other options for schooling if public school doesn't fit your family's schedule or lifestyle.

 

[bigAWL]

I think the point of this thread was to solicit ideas (brainstorming) for a particular family to justify the educational value of the cruise for their particular school district. None of us really has any idea what this particular school district is looking for. But the OP has said they've taken the kids out before and were able to justify it (suggesting a trip to Disney World would be an easy trip to justify). Presumably, it's not too much of a stretch to think some of the ideas suggested here would also be sufficient to justify an absence for a Disney Cruise. OP also said that teachers would assign extra homework to ensure the kids don't fall behind.

Offering ideas is potentially productive for the OP's situation. In fact, the OP has liked many of the ideas and has asked for more.

Debating why the school district cares (or if they even should care) about vacation absences is separate topic. Debating whether any other school district would or should approve any particular educational justification is separate topic. Debating the comparative educational values of classroom learning, internet-based learning, and living-your-life-learning is a separate topic.

 

[tvguy]

I think it's a valid one. There are lots of other options for schooling if public school doesn't fit your family's schedule or lifestyle.

True, but the options are getting fewer.
My kids are 4 years apart, went to Catholic High school
Many parents when my oldest started picked that option, and were willing to pay for it, because the school policy allowed time out of school for vacation as long as the student did the class work.
By the time my youngest started 4 years later, it had shifted to no time off for vacation, and students missing class for vacation were not allowed to make up the work they missed.
With private school, money would not be the issue. What happened is the organization that accredits private schools said vacation absences were no longer acceptable. Schools that did not comply would lose their Accreditation.

 

[eeyoreandtink]

True, but the options are getting fewer.
My kids are 4 years apart, went to Catholic High school
Many parents when my oldest started picked that option, and were willing to pay for it, because the school policy allowed time out of school for vacation as long as the student did the class work.
By the time my youngest started 4 years later, it had shifted to no time off for vacation, and students missing class for vacation were not allowed to make up the work they missed.
With private school, money would not be the issue. What happened is the organization that accredits private schools said vacation absences were no longer acceptable. Schools that did not comply would lose their Accreditation.

Exactly, and private schools don't get paid for attendance so that isn't the reason. It's about the value of time spent in class, and accreditation associations are starting to recognize that across the board.

There are still lots of virtual and home school options for people who want or need a more flexible school schedule, but they require some consistent time and effort on the parent's part to get going and monitor.

 

[tvguy]

Exactly, and private schools don't get paid for attendance so that isn't the reason. It's about the value of time spent in class, and accreditation associations are starting to recognize that across the board.

There are still lots of virtual and home school options for people who want or need a more flexible school schedule, but they require some consistent time and effort on the parent's part to get going and monitor.

I agree.

 

[we"reofftoneverland]

I agree.

I think it is more a cultural shift away from parental control. Frightening, if you ask me.

 

[tvguy]

I think it is more a cultural shift away from parental control. Frightening, if you ask me.

Or a shift back to strict rules. I'm 61, and when I was in school, the school set the rules and parents didn't question them.
Frightening to me is how un-involved some parents are in their children's lives and schooling these days.

 

[eeyoreandtink]

I think it is more a cultural shift away from parental control. Frightening, if you ask me.

How does it take control form parents? We have complete educational freedom as parents. We can choose whatever type of schooling fits our child's needs. I see it more as an acknowledgement that education is important and we as a country need to place more emphasis on it. Most countries who are passing us up in the education race would never DREAM of allowing parents to pull children from school for vacations. It isn't something that a parent would even consider, because of the position it puts their children in. It just doesn't happen because education is of paramount importance, and missing class means you will fall behind. In many of those countries, falling far enough behind means you are dismissed form school all together. School breaks also tend to be shorter, and they attend school more total days.

 

[lds0191]

When my daughter was in elementary school we would have her keep a little journal of what she learned while we were cruising. One cruise we had a stop in St. Marten and took a bus tour of the island. We created a little book with pictures of an American school we saw, a couple of churches (at that time she was going to a Christian school), a KFC, a gas station, etc., to show the ways St Marten was different but also the same as the US. Another cruise we kept a log of the people she met (CMs and passengers) that were from different countries. For each country we included something we learned about each country. On a cruise to the Bahamas we collected different coins and stamps.

 

[Anchors Away 2016]

I can see both points of view here. What I don't understand is why some people seem to be arguing that only one way is correct.

School is a great place to learn. And while at school, children will learn more if they think it is fun, and worthwhile, and interesting. Learning just to get a grade is of little value, but learning how to learn and learning how to take a test and perform under pressure is very useful. Holding up under the rigors of a curriculum's requirements is very valuable, regardless of the specific courses being taught. What they learn may or may not be relevant later in life, but how they learn and their attitude towards learning will last forever.

Likewise, a vacation is a great place to learn. World perspectives, self-reliance, interaction with others, and again, the joy and process of learning. Some appear to say that since a vacation is fun it can't be learning, or that it shouldn't include learning, or that one type of learning has less value than another. (If you didn't say that, then I am not addressing you. No need to tell me that I am wrong about what you said.)

Of course, it is always up to the parents and the students to make up any work that is missed, and that for some students this will be harder than for others. It is also true that an absence is a burden on the teacher, no matter how much we try to minimize that, and their tolerance is to be greatly valued. But I think that a vacation, even during school time can be greatly valuable as well.

One of the ways our educational system shines is when it doesn't just teach facts and figures to be regurgitated, but when it teaches how to ask questions, and listen to others ideas and opinions, and how to think new thoughts. Cruises can be very helpful with all of these goals. More and more educational systems are understanding the value of this interactive style of learning and how it works best when children are willing participants. Math drills on deck 4? Absolutely. Facts have their place too. Periodic table with a soft serve cone. Certainly. Plus asking people where they are from and what they do for a living and listening closely and respectfully to their answers. And a thousand more things. Life, in and out of school, can be very educational. Or not. Our choice.

 

[Spork24]

Not much really. Sorry if that makes me an odd girl out, but this isn't an educational experience. It's a vacation.

Traveling to unique and interesting locations and international travel are absolutely educations. Vacation first/ educational second sure, but imo any child lucky enough to see the world as they grow up is going to have a better understanding of how the world works.