Description and Goals

Work Experience is an elective work-based program for juniors and seniors. The school, the employer, and the student form a partnership to enable the student to learn by doing through planned work experience in a chosen career. The Work Experience Program consists of both the cooperative education and the internship programs. The following characteristics will help to explain the two programs.

  • Cooperative Education students are part-time employees of a business
  • Interns are students whose main goal is learning through observation and hands-on experiences. Interns are not employees and do not get paid.
  • Cooperative Education is open to seniors for a maximum of two credits.
  • Internships are open to juniors for a maximum of one credit and seniors for a maximum of 2 credits.

Most of the topics listed throughout this booklet apply to both co-op and intern students. Differences in the two curricula are listed for clarification.

Program Goals

The goals of the Work Experience Program are as follows:

  • To investigate career options.
  • To develop good workplace behaviors.
  • To learn job specific skills.
  • To connect classroom instruction with on-the-job experience.
  • To learn how to obtain, maintain, and change jobs.

Applying to the Program

Before entering the Work Experience Program, the student must submit the following information.

  • A completed Work Experience Agreement, including duties and responsibilities
  • A record of good attendance for the previous year. Students are not permitted more than four unexcused/tardies absences per year to be accepted into the program.
  • An updated resume
  • Two recommendations from teachers
  • Proof of current insurance
  • Work permit (if applicable)
  • Students must have transportation to and from the worksite. Students are not permitted to commute with other students.

Training Sites

The student may obtain a position or, if desired, the career coordinator will assist in the search. All work sites and positions are subject to the approval of the program coordinator.

A student is required to confer with the career coordinator before changing positions.

Program Supervision

The student’s work experience is supervised by both the employer and the school. A worksite supervisor must be assigned to monitor the student’s progress on the job. The Career Coordinator visits to the worksite accordingly.

Mentors/Employers are not school district employees and therefore do not file background and clearances.

Attendance

Students are expected to have regular attendance, defined as attending school for a full day every day that school is in session. If a work experience student does not report to school, he/she is not permitted to report to the job site.

  • Students must follow the SouthMiddletonSchool District attendance policy. If a student is absent for all or part of the school day, an excuse must be provided by the parent. Both the mentor and the school must be notified of the student’s absence. In case of absence for morning Co-Op students, the career coordinator is responsible to take attendance for block 1-2 students and must be notified by 9 a.m.
  • If a student is tardy either to school or work, an excuse signed by a parent must be provided. A doctor’s excuse may be required after multiple absences/tardies.
  • Any unexcused absence from work or school is considered a class cut.
  • Students who have not completed Graduation Project, must attend regular meetings.

Evaluation

All mentors are required to submit a grade for the work experience student on an evaluation form provided by the school district. The mentor’s evaluation counts as 70% of the marking period grade, and the school projects count as the other 30%. Mentors are encouraged to review the evaluation form and grade with the student.

Wages

The cooperative education student is a part-time employee of the business. Federal and state withholding taxes, social security tax and other applicable taxes are deducted from the student’s pay. Workers’ compensation is part of the employment package. Interns are not considered to be employees of the business.

Work Hours

Work Experience students are expected to go to their work sites as scheduled. Students, who are not scheduled at the work site during the school day, are required to stay in school and report to the work experience office.

Cooperative Education Students

As part-time employees Co-Op students are required to work a stated number of hours per week. Students who are enrolled for one credit must work a minimum of 10 hours per school week. They will be released from school for one block of time out of four blocks per day. One-credit students are usually released during block four and may leave school at 1:15. They may work beyond the school day.

Students who are enrolled for two credits must work a minimum of 15 hours per school week. They will be released from school for two blocks of time, either blocks 1-2 or 3-4.

For students under 18 years of age, state and federal laws dictate the hours during which minors may be employed. The following is a guideline of hours during which minors may work.

  • A maximum of 28 hours per week during the 5-day school week
  • Eight hours on both Saturday and Sunday for a total of up to 44 hours per week
  • Maximum of six days in a row
  • Thirty-minute break required on or before five consecutive hours of work
  • Refer to the state and federal child labor laws for more information.

Internships

Interns spend the scheduled block of time during the school day at their work sites. Attendance and hours are part of the overall evaluation.

Credit

Cooperative Education

Cooperative Education may be elected for a maximum of two credits each semester. The number of instructional blocks students are released from school determines the credits earned.

Students whose employment/Internship is terminated as a result of being fired or released for disciplinary reasons will receive a failing grade for the course. Any student dismissed from the program must be aware of possible consequences relating to graduation requirements. If the student’s employment is terminated for economic reasons or changes in the employer’s needs, the student will be given two weeks from the date of termination to obtain a new position.

Internships

Credit for internship may be elected for up to one credit during the junior and two credits during the senior year. Two credits are permitted for students traveling off campus. Credit may be denied if a student violates the school’s and/or the Work Experience Program’s policies.

Discipline

Participation in the Work Experience Program is a privilege, and students in the program are expected to be outstanding representatives of SouthMiddletonSchool District. If a Work Experience student is assigned detention or suspended from classes, he/she must inform the mentor and report to school in place of going to the work site. All discipline involving Work Experience students will be evaluated on an individual basis. Frequent disciplinary referrals and/or the severity of the reason for discipline may jeopardize participation in the program.

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