Well, seeing as how I've done it with Cole, I do believe there are exceptions.
We scheduled a Disney World vacation trip during January/February 2012 because a) it was the ONLY time my hubby could go due to his vacation time and b) because it was inexpensive due to them offering the free dining plan (which saved the 8 of us a couple thousand bucks!).
The trip was planned before Cole even started Kindergarten, and his principal, vice principal, teacher, and entire IEP team were notified at the beginning of the school year. I also reminded them after returning from Christmas break.
Now, I didn't expect the teacher to go out of her way to do anything for Cole (provide us with work, etc.), but I do feel it's best to work
with your child's teacher for the wellbeing of the child.
Seeing as how Cole was in kindergarten, he didn't miss anything (other than 6 unexcused days of school - of which they are allowed 13 for th entire school year - and he never had another single unexcused absence that year). However, going to DW was soooo educational in ways I cannot even begin to explain. First, imagine trying to prepare a special needs child, especially one who has many autistic tendencies and similarities (he's not autistic, but has issues comparable to sensory processing disorder, gets overstimulated, gets anxious, etc.). Going into such an environment was actually soooo good for Cole. Yes, I took great care to plan things out to the best of my ability, and yes, he got overstimulated at times, but he matured so much just on that simple trip. He also had a blast learning about the animals at the AK. In fact, we threw in many "educational" scenarios while there. He counted, he answered questions, he asked questions......there's so much you can do outside of a textbook.
This year, Cole is in 1st grade. Last weekend, we spent a 3-day weekend (F,S,Su) in Texas at my grandmother's. Yes, I held Cole out of school on Friday. Instead of school on Friday, we all went to the East Texas Oil Museum in Kilgore, TX (I've been there many times as a child). He learned all about pumpjacks, as well as other methods of getting oil, he learned what oil is, he learned how we use oil....he learned A LOT. He ended up getting sick and being home this past Thursday and Friday, but he spent Monday thru Wednesday "educating" his teachers on oil and pumpjacks. They thought it was hilarious, and they all loved it. He brought a book on pumpjacks for show-and-tell, and brought coloring books for the kids in his class.
As an "A" student in my life (I graduated highschool withh a 3.98, which included every honors class available in the curriculum...and I went to a college prep private school - I graduated college with my BS and 2 minors with a 3.78), I wholeheartedly understand the need and importance for a complete, quality education. But I also believe, when you look back on your life, you'll remember that Friday you spent at the Oil Museum with your great grandmother rather than what you might've done at school that day. There comes a day when education can, and possibly should, be done outside the classroom, and there comes a time when family memories hold more importance than what pages in a workbook were to be done that day. JMO