If you plan on regularly traveling during the school year, one alternative education option is home schooling (or "travel schooling," as some call it). According to the Home School Legal Defense Association, home schooling offers the best alternative education option. Follow the guidelines for your state of residence to set up a curriculum plan. While this arrangement often works well for younger children, some home schoolers have older children enroll into a junior or senior high school to prepare for college exams and entrance. If so, you should prepare your kids for the possibility through proper socialization with both their peers and adults outside the family network. If you want to continue traveling and teaching your teenage children yourself, you should be aware that many universities are not home-school-friendly for applicants.
Choose destinations and attractions that provide an educational experience for your children. According to studies from the U.S. Travel Association and the U.S. Department of Education, children who travel with their families tend to perform better in school. African safaris and Galapagos cruises offer entire vacations planned around a learning opportunity. No matter where you travel, you can find attractions that promote learning, such as museums, historical buildings and nature hikes. Try to work these trips into your child's school plan.
Depending on your child's school, course credits may be available for children who complete schoolwork while on vacation. This is more likely for earlier grade levels, like preschool, kindergarten and early elementary school, but speak to teachers before you travel to see if they can offer an assignment. Usually, your child will need to write a report or put together a presentation for the class. This option is only viable if your traveling is limited, as most American schools require a minimum number of days present in class. Always check with the school and teachers beforehand, requesting independent study when allowed.
If you are planning a round-the-world trip, you can immerse your child in local culture through school. In many countries, children may be enrolled in a local school for up to 12 weeks on a tourist visa. Different countries have different regulations, so check with the local school district or the American embassy in the area you plan to visit to see if you need to prearrange a visa. You may be required to pay an enrollment fee or tuition to offset the cost of schooling. Attending local schools is the best choice if you plan on staying in one area for several weeks (or months) at a time. This is not the best method for travelers who move around more often.
In Europe, where several groups of people still live a Nomadic lifestyle, some schools have made accommodations for traveler children. Many allow temporary enrollment, while others allow students to turn in assignments through e-mail or over the internet. An Ofstred report, "Equalities in Action", looked at the success of virtual schools for Gypsy, Roma and Irish traveler families, as well as fairground workers, in the United Kingdom. The report did note that primary schools handled traveler children better than secondary schools. While these options are not geared towards tourists, some programs may allow you to enroll foreign students.
