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District 128 proposes Daring Ed Tour pilot — District-wide college and culture trip in October
Summary
District staff proposed a pilot 'Daring Ed Tour' — a district-wide Culture and College tour to Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia for Oct. 9–13, 2025 — designed to expand college awareness and cultural exposure; the committee discussed cost, payment plans and communication to families.
District 128 administration presented a proposal to pilot a district-wide ‘‘Daring Ed Tour’’ Culture and College trip to the Program Personnel Committee and asked that the board consider it at the next full meeting.
Ben Rodriguez, director of college and career readiness, and Larry Vaughn, director of equity and inclusion, described the Daring Ed Tours concept as an annual, district-organized set of trips to increase access to career exploration, service learning, leadership, postsecondary awareness and cross-cultural exposure. Rodriguez said the board asked administration in 2024 to explore ways to make ed tours more accessible and that a committee of staff produced recommendations this summer.
The pilot tour (Culture and College Tour) is proposed for Oct. 9–13, 2025, visiting campuses and cultural landmarks in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia. The trip is structured so students would not miss instructional time; the district calendar committee arranged the dates. The proposal cites a maximum participant cap of 48 students and a minimum of 40 students to run the trip. Per the packet discussed at the committee, the student fee is $390; an additional district contribution for chaperone costs is listed as $3,400. Committee members confirmed the total trip cost (48 students at $390 each) would be roughly $18,720 in student fees plus the $3,400 district cost for chaperones.
To increase accessibility, staff proposed a three-installment payment schedule (initial installment $100 followed by two installments of $145) and said scholarships and work-based learning opportunities were being considered to offset costs for families. Staff indicated communications to families would be coordinated through college and career centers and counseling departments; if board approval is obtained the district planned to release communications immediately after board action. The committee asked staff to provide succinct contextual messaging for families explaining why the district is offering this work as part of a broader, multi-year Ed Tour plan. No formal committee vote occurred; staff will bring the proposal to the board for approval.
