Jumping through the hoops: How are teachers impacted by policies regarding field trips?

This research study explored the field trip preparations of teachers including the kinds/types of risk management techniques used, teacher perceptions of field trip policies, and the impact of these policies on their program choices regarding field trips. Qualitative research methods such as a focus group, guided interviews and a researcher journal were used to collect data. The participants were 12 teachers interested in field trips and the policy changes regarding field trips. The findings indicate that teachers in this study have high expectations for the planning and preparation of students prior to taking a field trip. However, these teachers expressed concerns about issues such as risk of litigation, use of waiver forms, unwarranted reactions by school boards to incidents, the time and energy required to fill out forms, and the perception of risk. Some implications of these concerns were that less experienced teachers in the study were more intimidated by the guidelines and paperwork and were less likely to make a field trip a part of their program. Experienced teachers appeared to be demoralized by the lack of confidence school boards have in the decisions they make to plan and organize field trips to enhance the education of their students. Overall, the findings show that restrictions and policies that limit field trips from taking place are considered unreasonable when careful planning effectively eliminates actual risks to the participants.