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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/mde
and search Work-Based Learning Guide.
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