The Status of Field Trips Among Secondary Social Studies Teachers in Florida

Abstract

Social studies teachers have long utilized field trips; yet in the 21^st century, scholars are describing a bleak future for those who attempt to utilize the practice.  The common reasons being cited, among others, include a slumping economy, an increase in accountability due to high-stakes testing, and rising fuel costs.  While obstacles have always existed, this investigation surveyed 70 secondary social studies teachers from Florida to see if they described any new obstacles or motivations.  Furthermore, the investigation sought to determine the percentage of teachers who utilize field trips and establish the average number of field trips they used.  The findings reported here are exploratory in nature and focus specifically on identifying the status of field trips among secondary social studies teachers.