Cooperative Education Programs

Cooperative Education is a learning strategy used in Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs.  When used in CTE programs, cooperative education focuses on the planned development of occupational competence using employment in real jobs as a source of learning.  The mission of cooperative education plans in CTE programs is to help students gain competitive occupational skills at the level of business and industry standards through carefully supervised work-based learning.

Definitions

When used in Career and Technical Education, the term "cooperative education" means a method of instruction for individuals who, through written cooperative arrangements between the school and employers, receive instruction, including required academic courses and related career and technical instruction, by combining study in school with a part-time job.  The two experiences (i.e., school and work) must be planned and supervised by the school and employers so that each contributes to the student-learner's education and to his or her employability.  Work is scheduled cooperatively with school attendance for half days of other periods of time appropriate to meet the student's educational needs.

Overview

The cooperative method of instruction provides students with an opportunity to extend their preparation for employment beyond the classroom.  It is critical that the paid employment is directly related to the career and technical education program instruction.  Both the school and employer must understand that the job forms an integral part of each student-learner's educational process and that the school is not simply acting as a placement service for students desiring part-time work.

For a copy of the guidelines for placing students in Work-Based Learning, go to www.michigan.gov/mdcd and search Work-Based Learning Guide.