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What is the Cooperative Education Program?
Cooperative Education Program Requirements 
 
Cooperative Education is a program that provides supervised workplace employment opportunities and learning experiences for qualified high school students. The Co-op program is based on an agreement developed among an employer, a student, and the high school staff. All vocational education students are eligible to participate in Co-op provided they meet basic qualifications required by the school and employer (see below).
 
The process begins when students are recommended by their vocational education teacher as being ready to work in the trade. These “job-ready” students are matched with an employer who offers work hours in a job related to the student’s career program. Students participate in Co-op during their technical-vocational cycles.
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Seniors who are enrolled in a vocational program for a minimum of 2 years and sometimes, exceptional eleventh grade students who have two years in the program, are recommended by their vocational instructors to participate in the program. The decision to accept a student for Co-op is based on the student’s vocational skill level, academic grades, attendance, and conduct records. Students must have OSHA training and employability certification.
 
The students are responsible for the following: 
  • Students must attend their academic classes each day and must be in school if they are not participating in the Cooperative Program Placement. 
  • If the job assignment is terminated for any reason, the students must immediately return to school and report directly to the High School Administrator. 
  • MyAccess assignments and employer assessments must be returned to validate hours worked the job (30 hours per cycle). These should be turned in Day 1 to the Vocational Teacher’s mailbox to the Cooperative Coordinator. The time cards must be signed by the employer. 
  • Students must report their absences to their employer and the school.

Process for placing students in the Cooperative Education Program 

The process is as follows: 

  • Students are recommended by Technical – Vocational Instructors and Guidance Counselors. 
  • Students will complete an application, submit and complete all hiring requirements of the employer. The Vocational Teacher makes the initial appointment with the employer to insure the worksite safety per OSHA regulations. 
  • Parent/guardian, guidance counselors, vice principal, vocational director, and academic instructors will sign permission form for the students to participate in the cooperative program. If a student has an IEP the special-ed teacher or director is expected to sign and to participate in the planning of the cooperative placement. Students training in non-traditional careers and students for whom English is a second language are encouraged to participate in the program and are supported just as any other student. 
  • Students released for Cooperative Work placement must have completed the 10 Hour OSHA Safety Certification and passed the employability exam prior to beginning placement.

Eligibility 

  • Must be a least sixteen years of age
  • Must be enrolled in their vocational program for a minimum of two years
  • Must have and continue to maintain a “C” average or better overall grade point average in academic classes
  • Student must complete OSHA Safety Training and passed the employability exam
  • Must have and continue to maintain acceptable conduct and attendance 
  • Must have proof of eligibility to work - e.g. social security/work visa
  • If it is a standard practice of the employer to require a CORI (Criminal Offender Record Information) of all employees the student may be requested to provide this information to the employer. CORI information may not be disseminated to unauthorized persons for any purpose, M.G.L. c. 71 ¶ 38R.
Co-Operative Education Program Objectives
Objectives
 
The objectives of COOP are to meet the guidelines of Chapter 74 and are aligned with the Massachusetts Work-Based Learning Program. There are nine competencies:
  • Communication and Literacy: Student demonstrates the ability to speak, listen, and write to function successfully at the work site. 
  • Organizing and Analyzing Information: The student gathers, organizes and evaluates the meaning of documents and information. 
  • Problem Solving: The student identifies problems, understands their context and develops solutions. 
  • Using Technology: The student identifies and applies appropriate technologies. 
  • Completing Entire Activities: The student participates fully in a task or project from initiation to completion, using appropriate time-management skills. 
  • Acting Professionally: The student meets workplace standards on attendance, punctuality, dress code, confidentiality, flexibility, and self-control. 
  • Interacting with Others: The student works professionally and respectfully with a diversity of co-workers, supervisors and customers, resolving conflicts in a constructive manner. 
  • Understanding All Aspects of the Industry: The student understands the structure and dynamics of the entire organization, health and safety issues in the industry and the role of business with the larger community.
  • Taking Responsibility for Career and Life Choices: The student balances demands of work, school and personal life and takes responsibility for developing his or her own personal and professional growth. 
  • Character: Displays loyalty, honesty, dependability, initiative, self-discipline, and self-responsibility.