• File:  KGC

     

     COOPERATIVE EDUCATION PROGRAM

    Diman Regional Vocational Technical High School has instituted a Cooperative Education Program whereby students in Grade 11 and 12 will spend two (2) weeks in class and two (2) weeks in industry working in the profession they have been studying in school. Students are eligible to apply for the Cooperative Education Program at the start of the 2nd Semester of their Junior year and/or anytime during their Senior year. 

    Student Eligibility Requirements:

    1. Participation in the Cooperative Education Program is voluntary. Parental/guardian permission of student participation is required.
    2. Student must have the recommendation of their Vocational Department Head, in collaboration with their instructor and Director of Cooperative Education prior to being employed.
    3. Student must be in compliance with the Attendance Policy for initial and continued eligibility.
    4. Student must have served any outstanding discipline for initial and continued eligibility.
      1. If a student is suspended from school, he/she is also suspended from Cooperative Education.
      2. Director of Cooperative Education will attend re-entry meeting to determine reinstatement.
    5. Students with a grade of "I" (Incomplete) for a term grade will be referred to the Director of Cooperative Education and Principal for review of both initial and continued eligibility.
    6. Below are the tiers of academic eligibility:

    Tier 1

    A student must have a grade of 70 or higher in all classes for initial eligibility and continued eligibility. Eligibility for Cooperative Education is based on semester grades. Eligibility is determined by “report card to report card notification”.  

     Tier 2

    A student who does not have a grade of 70 or higher in one or more courses is not initially eligible for Cooperative Education placement.  The Director of Cooperative Education and/or the Vocational Department Head may petition to the principal for a one-time exemption for said student for either initial or continued placement.

    A written petition is made directly to the Principal for review and subsequent approval.

    1. Student cannot remain out on his or her Cooperative Education placement any longer than one semester under this provision.
    2. The student must meet Tier 1 criteria on the proceeding semester.
    • The Director of Cooperative Education, with the support of the Principal, reserves the right to remove the student from the Cooperative Education Program due to lack of progress toward meeting Tier 1 criteria at any point in time during this probationary period.

    Cooperative Education Employer Requirements:

    1. Employers must provide supervision to students in their Cooperative Education placements. Supervision is defined by being present and aware of the students where abouts and job function.
    2. Student will be paid directly by the company which employs the student. Hourly wage will be set by the employer and may vary between sites. No employer shall pay students lower than the state legal minimum wage laws.  
    3. Student will be provided a minimum of 30 hours per week for employment.
    4. All employers must adhere to state and federal Child Labor Laws.
    5. Student will be covered through the Workers’ Compensation Insurance of the employer.
    6. Employer is required to complete student evaluations for each semester employed.
    7. Employers must provide the district with their respective COVID-19 protocols and procedures.
    8. Employers must also sign off on the students COVID -19 Release and Checklist forms prior to starting.

    Cooperative Education Job Performance Review/Grading:

    1. All students enrolled in the Cooperative Education Program will receive a grade for each semester. The breakdown of the grading rubric is as follows:
      1. 70 % Employer’s Evaluation
      2. 20 % Senior Shop Instructor
        1. On the first Monday of their respective academic cycle, students are expected to submit a technical writing assessment regarding their Cooperative Education experience.
        2. Senior shop instructor or designee will maintain data for this component.
      3. 10% Director of Cooperative Education
        1. Time keeping
        2. Communication
      4. Employer will evaluate student based on the Massachusetts Work Based Learning Assessment Tool per the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Chapter 74 Vocational Technical Education Manual.
      5. The purpose of the evaluation is to guide the continual education of the student in order to meet industry and employer standards/expectations.
      6. Student is required to meet with his or her respective employer regarding his or her evaluation.
      7. If an employer and student fail to meet the specified grade deadline submission, employer’s percentage of the grade will default to the student’s previous trimester shop grade prior to placement. If this occurs at the beginning of the senior year, the final junior year shop grade would be utilized as the default grade.
      8. If there is suspected wrongful termination, the Director of Cooperative Education and the Department Head will investigate the case and determine the outcome with the Principal.
      9. Employer Evaluations will have four rating categories as follows:

     Exceeds Expectations= Grade of 95

    Student in this classification very seldom makes errors and produces at an extremely high quality with accuracy of skill.  The student excels in productivity, shows tremendous initiative, and does more than required by his or her job description.  The student performs his or her job with little supervision and is very self-sufficient.  The student has an excellent ability to use equipment, tools, and technology while demonstrating concepts that encompass his or her job and maintaining sound safety per OSHA and industry standards.

     Meets Expectations= Grade of 85

    Student in this classification makes occasional errors, but is thorough and produces at a high quality with accuracy of skill.  The student requires some guidance in his or her job duties.  The student has an excellent understanding of use of equipment, tools, and technology while demonstrating concepts that encompass his or her job and maintaining sound safety per OSHA and industry standards.

     Approaching Expectations/ Requires Additional Training = Grade of 75

    Student in this classification makes errors and produces at average quality with average accuracy of skill. The student requires guidance in his or her job duties and has learned the necessary routine, but still needs remedial training. The student has a basic understanding of use of equipment, tools, technology, and concepts that encompass his or her job. The student must be reminded of safety consciousness and is average at meeting OSHA and industry safety standards.

     Expectations Not Met/ Return to School=Grade of 65

    Student in this classification makes frequent errors, is careless, and produces substandard quality of work. The student requires constant supervision in all tasks being performed. The student lacks fundamental skills in various areas, which include tools, technology, and concepts. The student does not demonstrate a consciousness for safety and is a potential liability.  

    Attendance:

    1. Student must notify his or her employer AND Diman in the event that he or she will be absent from work. Diman's telephone number for absentee notification is 508-678-2891, extension 1270 or 1230.
    2. Students must record their hours worked via electronic timekeeping and/or any other method determined by the district.
    3. Failure to comply with reporting absences or time keeping is subject to potential removal. The final determination will be made by the Principal and the Director of Cooperative Education.
    4. Should school be cancelled for inclement weather, the student on Cooperative Education will follow the employer’s policy and/or protocol related to inclement weather. Students on Cooperative Education are not automatically granted time off due to any school cancellations.

    Miscellaneous:

    1. If a student experiences an injury at the work site, it must be reported per the employer’s policy. Students must also follow up with the Director of Cooperative Education no later than 48 hours after the accident.
    2. Every attempt will be made to ensure that Diman students will not be exploited by any organization in which they are employed.
    3. Students must adhere to the employer’s pre-employment policy with regards to any type of screening.
    4. Vocational Department Heads and/or their designee may visit the students’ work sites as necessary with notification to the Director of Cooperative Education and Assistant Principal – Technical Affairs.
    5. If a student is mandated to quarantine due to COVID-19, the student must notify the Director of Cooperative Education.
    6. If a student has contracted COVID-19 the student must notify the Director of Cooperative Education immediately.

     

    Approved by SC: 6/17/21