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Educational Tours for Discovering the World

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Elevating educational travel from “good enough” to exceptional is what we do every day.

Our mission.

Empowering educators to introduce their students to the world beyond the classroom and inspire the next generation of global citizens. Travel changes lives.

This entire trip honestly felt like a dream! We could not have asked for a better experience, and my kids learned and grew so much in nine days.” Katie F. Group Leader When I heard “Wow” many times during the trip, I knew that they were learning, feeling challenged, and having, as many of them said, the best experience of their life.” Mara K. Group Leader There are things in my career that make me feel like I’m doing the right thing, and this is one of them.” Jessica D. Group Leader 1 /

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This is a partnership. That means we’ll do everything we can before your educational tour departs and while you’re abroad to ensure your planning and traveling are a complete success.

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Travel for credit with educational tours: Make earning high school credits an experience of a lifetime Check out our student travel programs

Travel for Credit | Educational Tours | Student Travel Programs

EduTravel for Credit provides high school students in Ontario with a safe, fun and engaging learning experience while travelling the world.

MORE THAN A CLASSROOM

Students earn transferable credits with the course content and assessments that connect directly to destinations, activities and workshops, guided tours, field studies, novels and readings.

MORE THAN A COURSE

Students gain experience in social/emotional development as they live, travel and study with peers, giving them a greater sense of independence and freedom and the ability to grow as global citizens.

Certified Teachers and Principals are hired to ensure student safety and to oversee the integrity of course instruction and assessment and to prepare students for their next level.

Programs feature extensively planned itineraries packed with both educational and recreational activities. Costs include all group excursions, ensuring everyone shares the same exciting experience.

We use a model that breaks away from the traditional classroom, giving students the opportunity to learn from new, first-hand encounters and make meaningful applications to the real world.

ALL INCLUSIVE

Each program covers all essential costs and all excursions, whether educational or leisure. We believe that each group should share the same experience.

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Educational tours faq, q. what are educational tours.

Educational tours are study trips made to provide immersive learning experiences that go above and beyond the traditional classroom. At EduTravel, our tours take students to exciting destinations that elevate the learning in a particular course, offering students the chance to explore new cultures and environments, resulting in a deeper learning experience that has real-world implications – all while earning high school credits and coming away with a lifelong love of learning and travel.

Q. What are the benefits of educational tours?

In short, travel education programs lead to immersive experiential learning that stays with a student long after the trip is complete. Students gain an authentic understanding of the world on educational tours; hands-on learning encourages critical thinking and cultural awareness and often leads to a more passionate, exciting learning experience! Our tours have been built from the ground up to combine curriculum enhancement with adventure, leading to an engaging and memorable learning experience. Our educational travel programs also offer students the chance to explore the destination in their free time under the guidance of our qualified staff.

Q. What does ‘travel for credit’ mean?

Just like it sounds, it means that students get to travel the world while earning high school credits that will set them up for success and get a leg up on completing their Ontario Secondary School Diploma. These credits are universally recognized by school boards and private schools, and are a great tool to help students reach their academic goals. Think of it as a fun, exciting way to complete a high school education or add a credit to their transcript.

Q. Are student travel programs safe?

Our trips are the perfect combination of allowing students to gain a sense of independence and a taste for post-secondary life, while still being in a structured and safe environment. Safety is our number one priority. Each group is led by certified educators and follows strict safety procedures so that students are cared for at all times. Our educators and trip leaders are seasoned professionals who have often completed these trips dozens of times – you can rest easy knowing that your child is in good hands.

Q. What destinations offer trips?

You can choose from a variety of different destinations, each chosen for its combination of educational value as it relates to the course of study and excitement factor. From historical sites in Europe to beautiful vistas in South America, our student travel programs are highly curated to bring the subject matter to life and to offer something for everybody. Every destination offers students the opportunity to travel to a faraway place that has a unique connection to the subject. For instance, we offer travel education programs on biology in the Galapagos Islands, where students can see and feel exactly what Darwin experienced all those decades past.

Q. How can I enroll in a travel for credit program?

Easy – visit our website, choose from our program options, and follow the enrollment process. Our team is ready to assist with any questions you may have. See below in the FAQ for a full list of our educational travel programs.

Q. Do all student travel programs at EduTravel offer credits?

Yes! Every single one of our student travel programs offers high school credits crafted around ensuring students meet their learning objectives.

Q. How are the trips structured?

Our educational tours balance academic learning with cultural exploration. Each day includes educational activities, guided tours, cultural immersion opportunities and personal time for socializing and completing coursework.

Q. What support is provided during travel for credit tours?

During our trips, students get full support from Teachers, Teacher Assistants, Principals and Tour Directors, whether the help they need is academic, logistical, or emotional – we have amazing, caring staff members who support students throughout the trip.

Q. Is financial assistance available for Travel for Credit programs?

One of EduTravel’s core values is “total inclusiveness” which makes these programs equitable, accessible and inclusive. EduTravel offers an extensive bursary program that we run internally and offers thousands of dollars dedicated to assisting families that otherwise could not access our programs. No application that is submitted is denied funding. For a bursary application please email [email protected]

Q. Does everyone get a good grade?

It’s important to remember that this is still school – the classroom may have the Colosseum as the backdrop instead of a blackboard, but the focus of our student travel programs is education. That said, students often find it easier to excel when on our trips. Why? We’ve found over the years that the lower student-educator ratio helps make sure that every child is given the appropriate amount of attention they need to help them learn concepts at their own pace. What’s more, educators can alter their teaching strategies to better meet their students and their preferred learning styles. And here’s something we all know – when learning is fun, it’s a lot easier to retain the information you’re acquiring. Reading about Darwin’s trip through the Galapagos Islands and actually setting foot on them are vastly different experiences, and experiencing it firsthand really helps connect students to what they’re learning, creating a tangible and memorable learning experience that’s far less esoteric and far more relatable.

Q. Why choose EduTravel’s educational tours?

We are Canada’s leading Travel for Credit operator for a reason. We have issued over 12,000 credits with an immaculate track record of safety and student success! EduTravel for Credit has years of experience creating experiences that blend academic excellence with breathtaking travel experiences and total cultural immersion – all supported by a dedicated team of educators who have a passion for the subject, the location, and teaching in general!

Q. Does EduTravel offer financial assistance?

At EduTravel, we are deeply committed to making sure our programs are equitable and accessible to everyone, regardless of differing financial situations. We embrace the principle of total inclusiveness and are proud to offer a comprehensive bursary program. This is key to making our educational tours equitable and open to all, providing substantial financial support to families in need. To apply for a bursary, please reach out to us at [email protected].

Q. How can I sign up?!

Signing up for an EduTravel program is a breeze! Simply visit the Contact Us page on our website for specific inquiries or join one of our free virtual information sessions to learn more about the programs we have on offer. At EduTravel, we are passionate about transforming the learning experience into a life-shaping, eye-opening, perspective-granting journey. Start your EduTravel adventure today by reaching out.

See below for a full list of our programs:

March Break Programs

• Art History in Europe – Grade 11/12
• Civics and Careers in Ottawa, Montreal, and New York City – Grade 10
• Environmental Studies in the Dominican Republic – Grade 11/12
• Fashion in New York City – Grade 12
• Hospitality and Tourism in Orlando – Grade 11/12
• International Business in New York City – Grade 12
• Photography in Europe – Grade 11/12
• The New Yorker (Interdisciplinary Studies) – Grade 11/12
• World Religions in New York City – Grade 11
• Ski BC (Recreation & Healthy Active Living Leadership) – Grade 12
• Bon Appétit in Europe (Food and Culture/Nutrition and Health) – Grade 11/12

Summer Programs

• Biology in Fiji – Grade 11/12
• Environment and Resource Management in Fiji – Grade 12
• Social Justice and Tolerance in Central Europe – Grade 11/12
• Canadian Geography – Grade 9
• French Connection (French) – Grade 11/12
• Biology in Ecuador and the Galapagos – Grade 11/12
• Canadian History in France – Grade 10
• Data Management in Ecuador and the Galapagos – Grade 12
• California Dreamin’ (English/Writer’s Craft) – Grade 11/12
• English in the UK – Grade 11/12
• NBE Indigenous Voices – Grade 11

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Educational Tours Your Trip, Your Way ®

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• You and your travelers will NEVER be combined with another school or group.
• Your educational tour is designed exclusively for you and entirely custom priced.
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Let's work together via our education travel to share the wonders of the world with your travelers, of any age, as you escort them around our globe. It's an amazing opportunity to experience with your friends and students, the marvels of the world — both in the USA and internationally — the very SAFE way of EA Tours.

When you view the different options for educational tours on our site, you are viewing the chance at a lifechanging experience. Whether you need tours for students or are looking to take advantage of one of our many educational tours for adults, we take the stress out of travel. Not only will our educational travel guides provide exceptional knowledge of the culture and history of the area, but they will navigate the tour in a way that keeps all members happy and safe. When you book our education tours, you are receiving personal attention and won’t be joined by other groups. Our experts are happy to answer questions along the way and make sure that you get the very most out of the experience. Only so much about a location can be learned from a textbook. Unlock the true beauty of a location via our educational tours.

Inspiration Begins Here

Hundreds of destinations endless possibilities.

"Although we are a smaller school, your company always treats us like your best customer. The office personnel are extremely helpful and friendly. I’ve had groups from 6 to 36, and the planning for whatever size is personal and appropriate. I always recommend to other teachers that they should “get on board” with EA Tours..."

DR. JAMES K., GROUP LEADER AMSTERDAM, PARIS, VENICE

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The Colosseum is now the cleanest it's ever been in years! Restoration crews have finished cleaning and it is more beautiful than ever.

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Reimagine Student Travel

Educational tours for every teacher.

Educate, Excite, and Inspire Your Students.

Our authentic educational experiences are designed to turn the world into your classroom!

We transform teens into travelers, instead of tourists. We use a hands-on approach for our educational trips to discover what it means to live like a local in each destination. Our group trips instill a love for travel, hunger for learning, and genuine curiosity about different cultures.

Watch our video and discover for yourself what makes TFT educational tours for teachers different!

A wide variety of tours to choose from

Discover The TFT Difference

We Never Combine Groups

Your educational tour should be special and just for you and your students! We will never combine two or more groups on the same bus or tour.

More Inclusions

We include more! Many other companies offer “budget prices” for educational trips that include less. We offer activities like cooking lessons, local connections, workshops, and more.

Stress-Free Trip Planning

We handle almost every detail for your group trip from the moment you start planning throughout the entire duration of the trip. Educational travel should be fun and rewarding, not stressful!

Photos & Email Updates

Your educational trip is special and our dedicated staff will capture those memories for you and your students! We are the only educational travel program to offer this in-depth trip communication and it makes all the difference!

Travel with us and discover why we are consistently winning awards for Top Youth Travel Organization.

View Our "How To Plan A Trip" Guide For Teachers

Authenticity is ingrained in everything we do. Eat, stay, and travel like a local.

Check out what past travelers have to say about Travel For Teens and discover why we are consistently winning awards for Top Youth Travel Organization.

"The trip was a great success! I think all of the kids had an amazing time. Thanks for all your help in the planning stages. As for feedback, I can only really say positive things! Stefania was wonderful and did a great job leading us. I really think she did a nice job of reading the kids and being able to adjust our schedule as needed, but always checking with me first, which I really appreciated. I really am looking forward to planning another trip with TFT - just a matter of when and where! Thanks again." Nathan W. Norwich Free Academy ASL & Classics Teacher

"Both photography trips I have done with my photography students with TFT were amazing.TFT photography trips provide a great combination of practical knowledge and inspiration. The photography instructors are knowledgeable, communicate well with students and chaperones, and work hard to ensure that the travelers have a fabulous experience. It is amazing to witness our teens' skills and passion for photography grow throughout the course of the trip. Photo lessons and challenges provide the perfect opportunity to expand their skills and push them to try new things. Thank you, TFT for providing these amazing experiences!" Shasta E. Harmony High School Photography Teacher

"I know you saw on social media, but I just wanted to “officially” tell you how wonderful the SHA British Isles trip was. Every day was full of fun and so many different activities and the pacing was perfect. Hannah and Hunt are awesome and felt just like SHA people (like you do too!). Our students were so happy and enjoyed it so much. It is truly a privilege to get to travel with them and be their teacher/friend in an entirely different capacity. All the trips are up on there on my “best of” list, but this one ranks near the top. Thanks for all the work that you and TFT do to make these trips possible. I know how much behind the scenes work goes on and how many different hands are involved. One of our Sacred Heart principles is educating to global awareness and I can’t think of many better ways to help them continue to develop into global citizens than through travel. I hope your summer is wonderful- with travel near and far- and that all the TFT trips are successes! Cheers!" Kelly W. Sacred Heart Academy History & Theology Teacher

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Experience what it’s like to be on assignment for National Geographic. Our summer programs for high school and middle school students immerse you in destinations around the globe, engaging with the world as a thoughtful explorer. No matter which trip you choose, you’ll travel with a purpose. Interactive projects — such as learning about cutting-edge technology being used to combat climate change,  researching threats to wildlife with scientists, or crafting a photography portfolio as you learn how to take images that tell a story — will deepen your understanding of the communities and landscapes you visit, and give you a finished project to share with your family and community back home.  You will leave informed and inspired to be a changemaker in your community. Explore our programs for summer 2024 below based on location, program type, On Assignment theme, or ideal length. 

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2 slashed as 5 masked men attack them after high school graduation in New York

Two people were injured when five masked men attacked them after a high school graduation ceremony Wednesday in New York, slashing one person in the ear and another in the leg, school officials said.

The attack outside a sports complex at Hofstra University on Long Island occurred as graduates from Hempstead and Uniondale high schools were leaving the facility with their families, said a statement released on behalf of the schools.

The statement described the person slashed in the leg as a guest of a student. That student intervened and was slashed in the ear, the statement said. 

Both victims were taken to a hospital. Their conditions weren’t immediately known.

Nassau County police said they responded to a report of a possible assault at the Hofstra campus at 4:20 p.m. It wasn't immediately clear whether any suspects were arrested.

The attack is believed to be linked to a domestic dispute, and everyone who attended the ceremony had passed through magnetometers, said the statement for the schools.

"We underscore that this incident took place outside of the graduation venue," the statement read. "Our security team is cooperating with Nassau County Police and Hofstra Public safety officers.”

A spokeswoman for Hofstra University said the campus was secure and referred additional questions to police.

Additional details about the incident weren’t immediately available.

Tim Stelloh is a breaking news reporter for NBC News Digital.

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Schools chancellor david banks, ‘intifada high’ principal debbie almontaser met with anti-israel imam, outraging jewish teachers.

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NYC schools Chancellor David Banks and a group of high-ranking city Department of Education officials attended an event at a mosque run by an anti-Israel imam who cheered encampments at Columbia University, outraging Jewish teachers and families.

Banks joined principals and superintendents to meet Zakir Ahmed at the Islamic Cultural Center of New York on the Upper East Side.

Also there were Ahmed’s wife, a Bronx public school director, and the controversial former “Intifada High” principal , Debbie Almontaser.

Zakir Ahmed attended anti-Israel protests at Columbia University and City College in April. “What you guys are doing is something so incredible,” he told protesters at CCNY’s encampments, according to an Instagram video . “Make sure that you continue to spread the word and bring more people to these gatherings.”

One city teacher bashed the problematic speakers and meeting.

“The chancellor is too focused on checking off boxes and appeasing groups than he is in actually solving antisemitism and Islamophobia,” he said.

The event came a day after the group visited the Nova Music Festival Exhibition in Lower Manhattan.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Imam Dr. Zakir Ahmed (@dr.zakirahmed)

Also speaking at the event was Afaf Nasher, executive director for the New York chapter of the Council on Islamic Relations.

The NYC Public Schools Alliance recently blasted the city Department of Education using CAIR as a resource in a professional development workshop.

“The inclusion of an organization with such a contentious history and recent pronouncements promoting divisiveness and hostility is inappropriate and counterproductive to the goals of fostering a balanced and inclusive educational environment,” the antisemitism advocacy group wrote.

Tova Plaut, founder of the alliance, said the DOE is failing to “meet the moment.”

“They just keep getting it wrong, and after eight months, it feels purposeful,” she said.

Additional reporting by Susan Edelman

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Jupiter High baseball coaches used fund-raising money for travel to conferences, IG finds

While the review of the team's financials is complete, the school district is also investigating complaints about a toxic environment on the team..

Jupiter High School's baseball team coaches used $6,000 from student fundraising to pay for coach trips to Nashville and Daytona Beach, overpaid "consultants" by more than $3,000 and required players to raise $1,200 each in order to play, more than double other teams in the area, a special review of the team's activities has found.

The school district is also investigating parent complaints about a toxic environment on the team, including allegations that an assistant coach verbally abused and body-shamed players about their weight, and another complaint stating that a volunteer had pleaded no contest in 2014 to a disqualifying drug offense and shouldn't have been allowed to work with the team.

The school board on Wednesday, June 13 approved the review of the team's financial practices. The auditor's recommendations include requiring former head coach Andy Mook and his assistant coaches to pay back $3,339 to the school district.

New Warriors on the block: Joe Giummule takes over Jupiter baseball for 2024-25 season

Mook resigned after 13 years with the team in December, the same month the school district began its investigation into allegations of his misconduct.

Jupiter High School Principal Colleen Iannitti formally responded to each part of the district's review and promised to follow all district financial policies for athletic teams. Iannitti also reported that Mook and the assistant coach accused of body-shaming players are no longer involved with the program. The school has hired Joe Giummule to take the reins beginning this upcoming school year.

Mook did not respond to two separate requests for comment.

Jupiter High baseball team coaches paid for trips to Nashville, Daytona Beach with student-raised money

Five complaints from parents between April 2023 and February 2024 prompted the school district's inspector general to review the baseball team's financial practices.

The complaints, four of which were anonymous, claimed that Mook's baseball team was possibly mismanaging money raised and contributed by students and their families. The complaints also said Mook and assistant coach Alex McCall were creating a hostile environment on the team by shaming players for their body size.

Another parent complained that Mook allowed volunteer Spencer Preston to work with the team although he should have been disqualified from employment that required direct contact with students due to a 2014 felony drug charge.

Preston was charged with selling or delivering cannabis within 1,000 feet of a school by the Martin County Sheriff's Office. Adjudication was withheld.

Inspector General Teresa Michael's office reviewed the financial allegations and sent the complaints about the team's culture and the felony charge to two other agencies in the school district to investigate.

On the financial side, the district found that Mook, another unnamed coach and an unnamed volunteer improperly reimbursed themselves more than $15,000 throughout 2023 for baseball team expenses that they paid with their personal credit cards .

The inspector general found that it's unusual for 22% of a program's budget to be spent on reimbursements to coaches who put expenses on their personal cards instead of using district-approved processes for buying products from approved vendors using a central account. Those expenses were approved by Iannitti, who was not investigated by the inspector general.

But not all of those expenses were legitimate.

About $6,000 of the money reimbursed to baseball team coaches was for three coaches to attend the Florida Athletic Coaches Association conference in Daytona Beach in December 2022. Mook and another coach also traveled to the American Baseball Coaches Association conference in Nashville in January 2023.

Mook reimbursed himself $6,214 for those expenses from the baseball team's main account, which is funded through student fees and contributions.

School district policy prohibits teams from using student fundraising money to pay for adult travel, instead stipulating that operating accounts, administrative accounts, facility rental accounts, booster club funds or donations earmarked for coaching clinics must pay for that travel.

The review also found that Mook overpaid two "consultant coaches" a total of $3,075 for conferences on top of their consulting contracts.

Finally, the review found the coaches accepted more than $4,500 in Zelle and Venmo payments from students and members of the public for entry into the team's golf tournament, participation in the year-end banquet and other fundraisers. The coaches deposited the money into the team's account, but school district policy prohibits using third-party payment apps to collect money for athletic teams.

The inspector general noted that without access to the coaches' personal bank accounts, it's impossible to tell whether all the Venmo and Zelle payments were ultimately deposited into the team accounts.

The review recommends that Mook and the other coaches involved be required to pay more than $3,300 back to the school. Jupiter High will also need to reimburse the baseball team for the $6,000 in adult travel that was financed through money raised by students.

Jupiter High students have to pay more to play varsity baseball than surrounding teams

Michael's office also found that Jupiter High baseball players were required to raise money or contribute more than double the amount of other teams nearby.

During the 2023-24 school year, players on the team were responsible for raising $1,200 each to fund the baseball program under the school's "fair share" contribution model, a common practice across district high school athletic teams and band programs.

The "fair share" program requires players to either fundraise $1,200 or opt out by writing the program a check so each player equally finances the team's activities for the season. Some schools and programs offer scholarships to help families pay for their required "fair share" fees. But Jupiter's "fair share" fees for baseball players far outpaced nearby William T. Dwyer and Palm Beach Gardens high school teams.

Gardens High did not charge any fee to participate, but the team required players to raise money for the team's efforts. Dwyer High's baseball team's "fair share" fee was $500 for varsity players and $350 for junior varsity players. All three baseball teams have 23 or 24 members, but Jupiter's baseball team has seven coaches, while the other two programs have five.

Jupiter High, Dwyer High and Gardens High are all highly competitive baseball programs that have traded off top spots in the district's baseball scene in recent years. Dwyer won the Class 6A state championship this spring. Jupiter's last state championship was in 2018.

Katherine Kokal is a journalist covering education at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach her at [email protected] . Help support our work; subscribe today!

The Use of Robotics and Simulators in the Education Environment

Advances in technology continue to push the envelope in healthcare, travel, communication and education. The use of robotic and simulation technologies have proven themselves to be worthy components of available educational resources. These technologies use in the education environment have shown their value in everyday learning and in the specialized education of students with disabilities.

Robotics and Simulators in Education

The use of robotics has allowed complicated medical procedures to be simplified, the work of dangerous construction projects to be safer and the discovery of our universe to be possible. When applied to education, robotics and simulators can change the way students learn and ultimately create a more knowledgeable and well-adjusted student.

Elementary and High School Education

• Robotics – Robots can be used to bring students into the classroom that otherwise might not be able to attend. In New York, a second grader with severe, life-threatening allergies was unable to attend school due to his condition. A four-foot-tall robot provided a ‘real school’ experience for the boy, ‘attending’ school and bringing the boy with him via an internal video conferencing system. Robots such as the one mentioned are able to ‘bring school’ to students who cannot be present physically.
• Simulators – High school sees the strongest example of simulators within drivers’ education courses. Simulators provide a true-to-life experience while removing any real dangers or risk from scenarios. In drivers’ education, students can experience the feeling of being behind the wheel without ever leaving the safety of the classroom. Simulators offer a chance for ‘what if’ scenarios, which can better prepare student drivers for real-life hazards and obstacles on the roadway.

Higher Education

• Robotics – Many careers require specialized knowledge in delicate practices, specifically in the realm of healthcare. When receiving a medical education, many students find benefits in the use of robotics. When learning to perform complicated medical procedures, a human subject isn’t feasible, so educators are employing the use of robots as stand-ins. Robots can be created and programmed to give off all indications of human life, including breath and heartbeat. Their use can also be seen in such procedures as injections, surgeries and even delivering children.
• Simulators – Simulation technology is utilized in a variety of college degree focuses, offering 360 degree real-life scenarios and 3D projections of real experiences. In addition to providing medical students with the means for thorough exploration of the human body, simulators also provide exceptional methods of crisis and disaster training for emergency response and law enforcement trainees. These types of all-encompassing simulators offer a choice and response technology, requiring officers to make split-second decisions and immediately see the ramifications of their actions. These types of scenarios can include violent altercations or behind-the-wheel high-speed chases.

Special Education

• Robotics – Students with special requirements are reaching new levels of learning through the use of robotics in the classroom. With these technologies children with autism are learning communication and social skills and students with developmental issues and attention disorders are learning focus. Individuals with severe physical disabilities are also offered a constant companion and health monitoring system – all through the use of robotics. Robots can be programmed to suit each individual child’s need, offering special education in a much simpler, accessible format.
• Simulators – Simulators are able to offer students with special needs an introduction to real-world scenarios in a non-threatening environment. Everyday lessons can be taught at a comfortable pace, including subjects ranging from basic self-care to stay-safe techniques in emergency situations. Simulators have also provided a way for special education educators to see the world from their students’ perspectives, including hearing-impaired or blind simulations.

Assistive technology is growing, and the abilities it provides to special education students are limitless. Simulation and robotics technologies offer a range of possibilities within education, with a helpful solution for every student’s learning needs. As the technological world unveils new innovations daily, the educational world will continue to benefit from the opportunities offered with these groundbreaking tools.

You can help shape the influence of technology in education with an Online Master of Science in Education in Learning Design and Technology from Purdue University Online. This accredited program offers studies in exciting new technologies that are shaping education and offers students the opportunity to take part in the future of innovation.

Learn more about the online MSEd in Learning Design and Technology at Purdue University today and help redefine the way in which individuals learn. Call (877) 497-5851 to speak with an admissions advisor or request more information.

Chronic absenteeism is schools' 'biggest problem.' Five reasons kids are missing school.

Cur’ra McCoy is one of millions of students who missed weeks of school over the past few years. Instead, the Baltimore teen often slept in or played on her phone. She did a whole lot of nothing, for the most part. McCoy blames her absences on boredom, which led to her not doing well in some classes. That made her dislike school even more . 

“When I don’t do nothing, I don’t feel like doing nothing at all,” the 18-year-old said. “So I stopped trying.”

Chronic absenteeism – when students miss at least 10% of the school year – has become an epidemic in America’s schools. Though educators and advocates hoped attendance would improve after the instability of the pandemic, in many cases it has become more pervasive and intractable. From 2018 to 2023, the rate of chronic absenteeism nearly doubled, from 15% to 26% . 

The problem, which has contributed to lower performance even among students who aren’t chronically absent, became one of the most pressing challenges this past school year. The American Enterprise Institute, a right-leaning think tank, has described it as “the biggest problem facing schools right now.” And it’s not just low-income kids who are missing class time: Students across the socioeconomic spectrum are skipping school at record-high rates. 

Why has the problem become so grave? The causes are usually complex and multidimensional. Here are five key explanations: 

COVID made school attendance hard. Why aren’t kids (or teachers) returning to class?

Kids are bored and disconnected.

McCoy, the Baltimore teen, loved math when she was little. She appreciated its simplicity, the fact that it’s a universal language. 

But as she got older, she says, she started “slacking.” The instruction became boring, zapping her energy and will to put in effort. In eighth grade, she decided math was no longer for her. By the time she got to high school, she began failing some of her classes. 

“We barely had any activities,” said McCoy, who added she learns best when she gets one-on-one support. “When I started getting worse at math, I just stopped coming.”

A nationally representative poll published in April found that nearly 2 in 3 teens say school is boring . Just 2 in 5 of the roughly 1,000 respondents said they liked going to school, and almost a third said going is a waste of time. Such disengagement leads to absences. And sometimes, schools’ strategies for handling absenteeism – like fines for truancy – exacerbate rather than solve the problem.

In her junior year, McCoy started getting tutored and mentored through a company called Concentric Educational Solutions, whose staff also occasionally visited her home to check in with her. Her attendance began to improve, as did her grades. She appreciated the personalized attention she got from her tutors, especially a mentor named Raiana Davis. Davis would check in on days she had slept in, McCoy explained. “It just made my energy change.”

McCoy graduated early this month, and she wants to become an engineer. She plans to enroll in college or pursue her career through the Navy. 

They’re struggling with mental health.

Many children decide not to attend school because of poor mental health. These challenges, especially among adolescents, have worsened in recent years: More than 4 in 10 teens reported in 2021 that they felt persistently sad or hopeless . One analysis in Los Angeles found anxiety and depression were the top health-related reasons kids missed class.

School avoidance – when children refuse to attend or struggle being in school for the entire day – is a growing problem . USA TODAY has reported on this type of refusal becoming pronounced since the COVID-19 pandemic. 

One student, Anna, described the heart palpitations and body shakes she felt in the mornings as she approached her high school campus. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to go to school, she told USA TODAY, but that she couldn’t.

“It’s scary because it’s not voluntary at all,” said Anna, who asked to be identified only by her first name because of stigmas faced by people with mental illness. “It’s just kind of happening to you.”

Refusing to attend: School avoidance is becoming a mental health crisis.

They’re being bullied.

Bullying, which is pervasive in many schools, prompts kids to avoid school, too. Just a third of teens in the April EdChoice poll said they felt their school was adequately addressing bullying. Separate research reveals students who are bullied are more likely to miss class. 

In a recent segment , NPR’s "Morning Edition" featured a sophomore in Colorado named Neomi who has been chronically absent. Asked what was behind the absences, Neomi cried as her mother explained she had been bullied and taunted after a breakup. Her peers laughed and talked behind her back. "I don't have friends,” the sophomore said. “I don't have any people."

When students have limited connections with adults, their odds of missing school are greater. Surveys have found that fewer than a quarter of teens and preteens say many or all of their teachers try to understand what their lives are like outside school.

They’re confused about the rules.

During the pandemic, families were instructed to keep kids out of school at any sign of illness. The rules evolved as society gained a better understanding of COVID-19. The ever-shifting protocols fueled confusion over what to do when a child has the sniffles or complains about a headache. 

Hedy Chang, founder and executive director of Attendance Works, says such puzzlement has persisted among parents. “We were pretty dramatic about quarantining and staying home, and I still think there’s a lot of confusion,” she said. “At the same time, we said to people: ‘If you’re worried about being ill, shift to online learning. … That’s just as good as learning in person.’”

Those messages have had “lasting effects,” according to Chang, and many schools no longer have a virtual option for sick days. 

USA TODAY regularly visited a pair of elementary schools in Virginia last year to understand, among other questions, why chronic absenteeism has persisted. One school distributed thermometers so parents could check if children who said they weren’t feeling well were truly too sick to attend class. It also hosted educational coffee hours and published a checklist on its homepage to help families determine what to do when a child appears symptomatic.

The other school discovered higher absenteeism rates on Mondays – a day many students’ parents had off work. Perhaps parents were keeping their children home that day because it was the only time they could spend together, school officials concluded. That finding hinted at another ripple effect of the pandemic: the perception among some families that school is optional. 

During quarantines and closures, kids learned through their computers at home. Daily in-person attendance has felt less crucial to certain parents ever since. That attitude plays out in different ways for different families. A single mom who needs her high schooler to care for her 2-year-old while she is at work might request the teen skip school. An affluent family that wants to go on a two-week vacation might choose to do so during school days to avoid the crowds. 

“Whatever your chronic absenteeism level was pre-pandemic, it tended to double,” said Chang, alluding to the problem’s impact across income levels.

As absences have worsened across the board, they’ve also exacerbated disparities, according to Chang. High-income families are more likely than lower-income ones to be able to afford resources – such as summer test prep and tutoring – to make up for lost time. 

They’re navigating family, safety or transportation challenges.

Some kids aren’t showing up for school because of family hardships or fears about campus safety. Housing insecurity and poverty continue to disrupt low-income students’ routines .

Many schools have made it more difficult to enter buildings over fears of active shooters and other dangers, Chang said. These well-intended policies have, in some cases, created divisions between families and educators. 

Logistical problems are another obstacle. USA TODAY shadowed during some home visits with Concentric in Baltimore this spring. The company’s staff stops by the residences of families whose children have been flagged by their schools as chronically absent. At one home, a mom named Lynetric Brightful was parking just as the Concentric van pulled up. Her son hadn’t been showing up for school, and Aaris Johnson, the Concentric engagement specialist and driver, asked her, “What resources can we help you get?”

Brightful explained that she works two jobs and has to leave the house early – before her son wakes up. It’s difficult to ensure he attends class by the 7:45 a.m. start time, especially since he has to take a couple of city buses to get there, trekking through dangerous neighborhoods often before sunrise. Her husband recently died, and she has no one else to rely on for help. She had lost another job because she was staying home in the morning to drive her child to school. 

School transportation options are limited in Baltimore, a problem that has hit more and more districts across the country. Nationally, school bus ridership is in decline , in part because of staff shortages, service changes and delays.

Brightful began to cry when Johnson told her his organization would try to provide support. She had been desperate for a solution, and it seemed as if no one was willing to help. Without better transportation, she feared her son would continue to miss school.

"I have to do what I have to do to live,” she said. “I'm trying my best.”

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Tom Cruise Attends Taylor Swift's 'Eras' Tour After Missing Suri's Graduation

Tom cruise attends taylor swift's eras tour ... misses suri's graduation.

Tom Cruise engaged in some risky business Saturday ... hitting up Taylor Swift 's London show -- after skipping his daughter's high school graduation.

Swifties captured TC walking into Wembley Stadium for Night 2 of the show ... and, check out the clip, 'cause he's got time for just about every fan he passes -- slowing down to say hello and take pics with excited fans.

He's clearly the life of the party ... big grin gleaming as he makes his way toward what we imagine's a swanky, private area to watch Taylor perform.

BTW ... Travis Kelce also pulled up to the show -- so, Tom's in pretty impressive A-List company.

Tom Cruise in attendance at Taylor Swift’s ‘Eras Tour’ in London. pic.twitter.com/NEwfDtswse — Pop Crave (@PopCrave) June 22, 2024 @PopCrave

Of course ... while Tom's listening to Taylor belt in London, he's missed another major milestone for his daughter -- 'cause Suri graduated from high school Friday.

Suri graduated from Laguardia High School Friday ... and her mom Katie Holmes was in attendance to cheer her daughter their daughter on as she picked her diploma.

Page Six also reports Suri dropped the last name Cruise from the graduation program ... going with Suri Noelle instead of her given name.

Not exactly surprising Cruise didn't make it to Suri's big day ... the two have been estranged for a long time now -- and, he recently missed her 18th birthday too, also 'cause he was across the pond.

BTW ... Suri's headed off to college in the fall -- she's expected to attend the prestigious Carnegie-Mellon University in Pennsylvania.

Bottom line ... Tom and Suri still aren't tight -- and, Taylor's tour is still bringing out the biggest stars in the world.

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Yury Gagarin Cosmonauts Training Centre (Zvezdny Gorodok - Star Town) (7 hours)

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The Yuri A. Gagarin State Scientific Research-and-Testing Cosmonaut Training Center is a Russian training facility responsible for training cosmonauts for their space missions. It is in Star City of Moscow Oblast, a name which may refer to the facility itself or to its grounds. (Read more about Yury Gagarin Cosmonauts training center )

The secret Star City was built to train Soviet cosmonauts, including Yuri Gagarin, the 1st man in space. Many other famous Russian cosmonauts trained here with Gagarin: German Titov, Valentina Tereshkova, the first female cosmonaut, and Alexei Leonov, the first cosmonaut to exit the spaceship into space . The best facilities were built for them: the world’s largest centrifuge and hydro laboratory. Many cosmonauts from other countries (USA, Japan, Germany and many others) also have trained here together with Soviet Russian cosmonauts. On this Star (Space) City Tour you will see:

• Models of Soyuz Soviet spacecraft 
• World's largest centrifuge with an 18-meter radius 
• Hydro laboratory, with the model of the International Space Station in water, which allows to simulate the weightlessness and many more

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This information is required to get access to the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre, as per their security policy.

If it took Gagarin 1 year to get prepared, now it takes 7 years to become a cosmonaut, and 50 days to pass  security  check for foreign visitors.

Due to the security policy of the Centre, the guided tours are to be arranged in 50 days before the tour date. Last-minute arrangements are not available. 

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