Cooperative FAQs
Q. What are the requirements for enrollment in a cooperative education course?
- Students must be enrolled in a workforce development education (career technical education) course offering the cooperative method. The following five areas offer cooperative education :
- Agriculture Education
- Business Education
- Family and Consumer Sciences Education
- Marketing Education
- Trade and Industrial Education
- A signed training agreement that outlines the responsibilities of all parties.
- An individual training plan
- Classroom Instruction and coordinated activities provided by a licensed teacher in the content area
- At least 25 min per week per student for Teacher/Coordinator to coordinate cooperative education activities
- The cooperative education class must happen in the same academic school year (summer, fall, spring) as the accompanying career technical course provided:
- Teacher/Coordinator approves the student as a cooperative education placement
- A teacher-coordinator is available to provide coordination of the work-based learning
- All coordination policies are followed
- A training agreement is on file for the student
- The student is following a progressive training plan
Q. What are the responsibilities of a cooperative education teacher?
- Guiding and selecting students based upon student career development plans and local opportunities
- Enlisting the participation of the employers
- Teaching related instruction
- Handling educational problems
- Directing student organization activities
- Representing the school effectively with employer and community contacts
- Carrying out school policies related to cooperative education
- Assisting students in adjusting to the work environment
- Motivating students and employers
- Understanding local, state, and federal laws relating to workforce development education , the employment of minors, and safety
- Complete required documents for local policies, NC DPI and the Division of Workforce Development Education for all students:
- Training Agreement
- Cooperative Education Placement Report
- Cooperative Education Coordination Record
- Cooperative Education Coordinator Sign-out Sheet
- Cooperative Education Weekly Job Search Update
- OTHER ACTIVITIES
- Select the on-the-job training stations
- Confer with parents, students
- Visit training stations to monitor student progress
- Prepare training agreements
- Develop training plans
- Maintain teacher-coordination records
- Plan and host employer orientation workshop
- Develop new training prospects
- Conduct employment and equipment surveys
- Formulate and develop individual instructional strategies and activities related to the employment and curriculum
Q. Do you know what items are required in a cooperative education training agreement?
- Must outline the rules and responsibilities of the student, parent, employer, and teacher-coordinator and school administration.
- Signature of all parties involved before the end of the schedule change period
Q. For a student cooperative education training plan, what records are required?
- The training plan should have a list of competencies a cooperative education student is expected to demonstrate while in the workplace.
- A developed work and activities plan
- Must have employer and student signatures after reviewing the plan
Q. What records are required to be filed in a student folder who is participating in a cooperative education program?
- Wage and Hour Record-documenting worked wages earned on a monthly basis. This may also include a Summer Wage and Hour Record
- Cumulative Wage and Hour Record
- Cooperative Education Contact Record
- Cooperative Education Placement Report
- Cooperative Education Coordination Record
- Employer Evaluation
- Coordinator Sign-out Sheet
- Mileage Report
- Training Agreement and Plan
Q. Are there any additional records that can be included in a student’s file?
- Weekly Job Search Update / Interview Summary – may be needed to document search while unemployed
- Request for Job Change- form completed when he/she is considering a job change
Q. Who handles the recordkeeping for students who are participating in a cooperative education program?
- Cooperative Education Teacher/ Coordinator
Q. Who provides information to students/parents/employers on cooperative education program expectations?
- Cooperative Education Teacher/ Coordinator
Q. Is it required that students be paid for the time they work?
- The cooperative education program is designed to be a paid experience. We require that students find a paying job to participate.
Q. What are the teacher certification requirements to participate in a cooperative education program?
- Teachers must be licensed in the content area of the class and cooperative education experience.
Q. What is the minimum age for a student to participate in the cooperative education program?
- Usually the basic minimum age for participation is 16 because of local, state, and federal laws relating to workforce development education and the employment of minors and NC compulsory laws of 7-16 years of age. Anyone under the age of 18 in NC has to obtain an employment certificate. North Carolina Employment certificates are issued by the Department of Labor or the County Director of Social Services. However, students of 14 and 15 enrolled in approved Work Experience and Career Exploration programs may work outside school hours up to 3 hours on a school day and 23 hours in a school week. Children under 14 may not be employed unless it is work exempt from FLSA and WHA. Also, no one under the age of 18 may work in jobs that are identified as hazardous. Here are some links that are useful.
- Check each of these under the NC section:
- NC Youth Work Permit
- Youth Employment Certificate Designee Application online form
- Child Labor NON-Agricultural Occupations in NC – Includes Minimum Age Standards & Hazardous Occupations list
- Driving under 18 for work
Q. Are there a minimum number of hours per week a student can work?
- This is a local and program coordinator decision. But there will more than likely be a need to set a minimum in order to meet the cumulative total hours required for the program.
Q. Does each High School in our area have a cooperative education program in place?
- Yes
School contacts for Marketing Coops:
Amy Singletary- NHHS
Lori Chapell- EHHS
Jason Stanley- HHS
Stephanie Gaddy- WHHS