OPINION — A quiet but troubling trend is emerging in schools across Phoenix: teachers are no longer choosing their own field trips.
Instead, local districts are increasingly centralizing these decisions by selecting destinations, programs and experiences for teachers and students. The goal is often framed as “equity.” However, in practice, this approach undermines a teacher’s expertise and voice, and robs students of meaningful, developmentally appropriate learning.
When a district chooses a field trip, it isn’t just choosing a destination; it’s choosing how learning happens for teachers and students.
