Visit the school's website or read through the school's student handbook to determine whether there is a policy regarding travel-related absences. Some schools may forbid this type of absence, with just a few unexcused days resulting in possible truancy violations. Others may have a specified number of absences that are allowed for family travel.
Meet with the instructor or instructors, if travel-related absences are allowed, before making reservations for the trip. Be prepared to provide the planned travel dates so the teacher can see if they conflict with important lesson plans or mandated testing dates as well as the introduction of new topics and any related testing. Consider dates before school holidays when teachers are likely to be conducting reviews of previously covered topics. Also aim for the end of the school year as opposed to the beginning of the year when students are still adjusting to their new routine. Be sure to take notes on what the teacher says to highlight appropriate dates.
Complete travel reservations based on the dates discussed with instructors to ensure the least academic impact on the student.
Visit instructors again once the final dates for the trip are set to obtain a copy of the lesson plan for the dates that will be missed, as well as assignments the student should complete during the absence.
Set aside time on the trip to enhance your child's education by visiting museums, cultural attractions or historical sights at your destination and incorporating ideas from the lesson plan obtained from the instructor.
Ensure that your child completes all assigned makeup work and schedules meetings with the teacher upon his return for any additional tutoring that is required for lessons the child may be struggling to learn.
