| Brevard County (Florida) |
| Bylaws & Policies |
2340 - FIELD TRIPS AND OTHER STUDENT TRAVEL
The Board recognizes that field trips, when used for teaching and learning integral to the curriculum, are an educationally sound and important ingredient in the instructional program of the schools. Properly planned and executed field trips should:
| A. | supplement and enrich classroom procedures by providing learning experiences in an environment outside the schools; | |
| B. | arouse new interests among students; | |
| C. | help students relate school experiences to the reality of the world outside of school; | |
| D. | bring the resources of the community - natural, artistic, industrial, commercial, governmental, educational - within the student's learning experience; | |
| E. | afford students the opportunity to study and explore real situations and processes in their actual environment. |
For purposes of this policy, a field trip shall be defined as any planned journey for one or more students away from District premises, which is under the supervision of an instructional staff member and an integral part of a course of study.
Other student travel shall be defined as any planned, student-travel activity that is approved as part of the District's total educational program.
The Superintendent shall prepare administrative procedures for the operation of both field and other District-sponsored trips, including athletic trips, which shall ensure:
| A. | the safety and well-being of students; | |
| B. | parental permission is sought and obtained before any student leaves the District on a trip; | |
| C. | each trip is properly planned, and if a field trip, is integrated with the curriculum, evaluated, and followed up by appropriate activities which enhance its usefulness; | |
| D. | the effectiveness of field trip activities is judged in terms of demonstrated learning outcomes; | |
| E. | each trip is properly monitored and supervised; | |
| F. | student behavior while on all field trips complies with the Student Code of Conduct and on all other rules, policies, and procedures set forth by schools; | |
| G. | a copy of each student's Emergency Medical Authorization Form is in the possession of the staff member in charge. |
An instructional staff member shall not change a planned itinerary while the trip is in progress, except where the health, safety, or welfare of the students in his/her charge is imperiled or where changes or substitutions beyond his/her control have frustrated the purpose of the trip.
In any instance in which the itinerary of a trip is altered, the instructional staff member in charge shall notify the administrative superior immediately.
The Board shall approve those field trips and other student travel that are planned to take students out of the State of Florida.
The Area Superintendent shall approve all trips within the State for more than two (2) days.
Regularly enrolled students may be charged a fee for participation in field trips or for other student travel which is not part of a course of study. No student shall be denied participation for financial inability, nor shall they be penalized academically for nonparticipation.
Students on all District-sponsored trips remain under the supervision of this Board and are subject to the District's administrative procedures.
The Board does not endorse, support, or assume liability in any way for any staff member, volunteer, or parent of the District who takes students on trips not approved by the Board or Superintendent. No staff member may solicit students of this District for such trips within the facilities or on the school grounds of the District without permission from the Superintendent. Permission to solicit neither grants nor implies approval of the trip. Such approval must be obtained in accordance with the District's administrative procedures for extended trips.
The Superintendent shall develop and update as needed administrative procedures to implement this policy.
F.S. 1001.43