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Littleton Public Schools Policy |
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Policy Code JJH Policy Name Student Travel Adoption September 28, 2000 Revised December 13, 2001 |
The Board recognizes the value of first-hand experiences gained from travel, which can be an effective and worthwhile means of learning. It is the Board’s desire to encourage student travel as part of the total school program. District administration shall develop specific guidelines and administrative procedures to screen, approve, and evaluate student travel. Such procedures also shall serve to assure that all reasonable steps are taken for the safety of the participants, as well as to establish educationally sound student travel that is directly associated with specific instructional programs.
“Student travel” is defined as travel by students, whether individually or in groups, involving an overnight or extended stay at any time during the calendar year whether or not school is in session. “District-authorized student travel” is either District-sponsored or District-endorsed student travel; “District-sponsored student travel” is travel directly related to school curriculum or school programs that is initiated, organized, promoted, and supervised by District staff, and “District-endorsed student travel” is a travel program that has a direct relationship to the curriculum or school programs and is at least partially supervised by District staff, but that is initiated, promoted, and organized by a private company. All other student travel occurs outside the authority and control of the District and is considered unauthorized; the District assumes no liability or responsibility for such student travel.
Only trip sponsors/chaperons and current District students may participate in District-authorized student travel programs. District employees may recruit District students to participate in District-authorized student travel programs only. The recommended ratio of sponsor/chaperon-to-student is one-to-ten. Authority for granting requests for single- or multi-school trips shall rest with the principal(s) and the Superintendent/designee. All approved forms and trip records, including financial records, shall be kept on file at the school(s). Sponsors shall obtain, when feasible, competitive pricing to assure maximum student participation at the lowest possible cost. Board purchasing policies shall not apply to student travel programs.
No sponsor may receive additional pay either from the District or an outside entity for the time involved in District-authorized student travel. “Additional pay” does not include in-kind remuneration. If a substitute teacher is required for a teacher’s classroom absence during the school year, substitute teacher fees may be included in the cost of the trip. All unspent money shall be refunded to paying participants.
Academic credit for student travel shall be based upon accreditation standards and Board policy for awarding credit. Authority for granting credit rests with the principal, who shall make any credit decision prior to student travel. Any credit agreement shall be in writing and distributed to student participants and their parents/guardians prior to student travel.
Nothing contained herein is intended to encourage or prohibit any District employees from conducting their own personal travel programs or trips which may include District students provided that such travel programs or trips shall be the sole responsibility of the said District employees and further that the acts or omissions of said District employees shall not be within the scope of their employment with the District nor otherwise considered to be during the performance of their duties to the District.
Legal Reference: C.R.S. 40-10-116(1)(b)
Cross Reference: GBCC, Staff Responsibilities
GCH, Staff-Student Relations
GCQA, Nonschool Employment by Certificated Staff Members
IJOA, Field Trips
JICDA, Student Code of Conduct
JJH-E-1 – JJH-E-6, Student Travel