Cooperative Education
Winston County Work-Based Learning Experiences
Latricia Faulkner, Co-Op Coordinator
lfaulkner@wcsclass.com
Research has indicated that work-based experiences invigorate learning and that students participating in work-based learning were more likely to stay in school, take more difficult courses, and graduate.
Work-based learning provides students with educational opportunities that typically cannot be replicated in the classroom. The work-based experiences are designed to make learning relevant, improve graduation rates, and better prepare students for careers or continued education and to connect informtaion learned in the classroom with skills obtained in an occupational setting. Work-based learning is a major component of career and technical education. Improved skills lead to higher efficiency and the availability of a better-trained labor pool that encourages business growth and productivity. Well-managed work-based learning experiences build confidence in the school system and have benefits for the student, employer, mentor, school, and community.
The students may be given the opportunity in work-based learning experiences to:
- Receive specific school-based and work-based training in a chosen career while attending high school.
- Earn income and become financially literate in some experiences.
- Reinforce and apply academic competencies.
- Develop, demonstrate, and refine safe work habits.
- Demonstrate responsibility, maturity, job competency, and decision-making skills.
- Gain an understanding of the financial operations, employment opportunities, and organizational structure of business and industry.
- Develop a portfolio of academic, technological, occupational, and work-readiness skills.
- Improve the transition from school to work.
- Participate in Career Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs) related to their career objectives and coursework.
Cooperative Education is a structured component of the Career and Technical Education (CTE) curriculum that integrates classroom instruction with productive, progressive, supervised, work-based experiences/apprenticeships (Paid) and internships (Unpaid), related to students' career objectives. Content is planned for students through a cooperative arrangement between the school and employer as a component of work-based learning.
Determination of Student Eligibility
Ms. Latricia Faulkner will ensure that all requirements for cooperative education are met. The student must:
- Be at least 16 years of age
- Classified as an 11th or 12th grader
- On track for graduation
- Obtain a clearnly defined career objective
- Posses the knowledge, skills, behavioral qualities, and abilities required for successful employment
- Be physically and mentally capable of performing the essential functions of the desired work-based experience
- Have successfully completed the required prerequisite course(s)
- Have acceptable attendance, grade, and discipline record as validated by the Co-Op coordinator, Latricia Faulkner
- Have completed an Application for Enrollment
- Have provided the names of a minimum of three educators that know, and are not related to, the student and will complete recommendation forms including the teacher of the career cluster course