The Dallas Independent School District has announced a new partnership that will create more travel opportunities for students in the upcoming 2022-2023 school year. The collaboration is between the Dallas ISD Social Studies Department, EF Explore America, and ECHO Education.
According to the Dallas ISD press release, the district feels “that visiting landmarks in our own state and across the nation is vital when providing equitable learning experiences.”
ECHO Education will allow fourth- and seventh-grade Texas History students to visit the Bullock Texas State History Museum and the state capital in Austin, Texas. Eighth grade and high school students in U.S. History classes can visit the nation’s capital of Washington, D.C., through EF Explore America.
Each program has a website so Dallas students can sign up or find out more.
The press release states that “students in ethnic studies courses, such as African American Studies and Mexican American Studies, are able to travel to Atlanta, Ga., to visit important sites of the Civil Rights movement, or to New York City to visit sites that have impacted the Latin American community in our nation.”
The EF Explore America website shared that each of the three tour itineraries they offer was designed to help Dallas students make global connections, think critically, participate in civic engagement, and explore new places.
“Everything we do at EF is dedicated to expanding travel opportunities to more young minds,” the organization stated. “We’re thrilled to have found a partner in that mission in Dallas ISD.”
Benefits of EF tours include opportunities for educators, access for all students, and the integration of current school curriculum. Educators who chaperone or act as group leaders for EF Exploring America have the chance to earn graduate credit or professional learning hours while getting to explore new places with their students.
“Beyond their own personal explorations, students will dive deeper into the exact subjects they’re covering in class,” the EF website explains. “The tours selected as part of our partnership align with Dallas ISD curriculum and the TEKS. Students will engage in their existing lessons like never before, and they’ll even have the opportunity to earn free high school credit.”
EF Explore America trips are also designed to leave students with a life-long impact. According to the organization, students gain cross-cultural understanding, empathy, confidence, and other skills.
“We believe these skills (and the travel that promotes them) are more important now than ever since students haven’t had the same opportunities to connect with others or interact with new places,” the website states.
According to Dallas ISD, many students have already signed up for upcoming tour trips, and there are still spots available.
“By providing intentional support and growth opportunities in Social Studies, we know our students will think critically, engage civically, and connect globally,” the district press release states.
Students can learn more about ECHO Education and EF Explore America through the organizations’ websites. Students can sign up for upcoming tour trips.