COOPERATIVE EDUCATION (CO-OP)

CO-OP (Cooperative Education):  1 semester - 1/2 credit

Prerequisites:  Minimum age 16.  enrolled in educational course related to the job.  Priority given to CTE enrolled students.  Approval of Co-op Coordinator.  Reliable Transportation.  Applicants must be available to work an average of 10-18 hours per week.  Career-Technical Education (CTE) courses include all programs offered at the William D. Ford Career-Technical Center, as well as Computer-Aided Design/Drafting (CADD), Cosmetology, and Marketing.

Students gain valuable employment skills on a paid job related to an educational course.  Interested students should return a completed Application for Work Related Programs to their counselor or co-op coordinator.  Application does not guarantee eligibility or acceptance.  Eligibility criteria include:  Recommendation by related course instructor and/or counselor, application date, past employment history, current work status, and school record.  In addition to earning employment/career skills and money, students earn school credit and may be eligible for early release or late arrival to school with a 6th or 1st hour Co-op credit.  Or, students may be eligible for an additional 1/2 elective credit per semester by adding a 7th hour to their schedule.  Students may earn a maximum of 3 elective credits through any combination of work-based learning programs.  Students must maintain good attendance and punctuality at work and at school.  Students with an employer recommendation receive priority enrollment in Co-op.  Counselors should contact the co-op coordinators.

Co-op Coordinator:  Mrs. Fry  (734) 419-2144

Contact regarding students enrolled in the following CTE programs:  Business & Computers, Child Care, Cosmetology, Culinary Arts, Desktop Publishing, Digital Media, Graphic Design, Health Occupations, Integrated Web Design, Marketing (Wayne Memorial), Media Productions, Medical Assisting and Oracle.

Co-op Coordinator:  Mrs. Tracz  (734) 419-2142

Contact regarding students enrolled in the following CTE programs:  Auto Body, Auto Tech, CADD, CAMM, Construction, Electronics, Heating/Ventilation/Refrigeration, Marketing (John Glenn), Print Technology, and Welding.

The following five steps explain the application process:

STEP 1: MEET WITH COUNSELOR and/or CO-OP COORDINATOR

APPLICANTS MUST BE:

  1. Enrolled as a high school student at John Glenn or Wayne Memorial.
  2. Minimum 16 years of age by the beginning of the semester.
  3. Have own transportation available.
  4. Able to work 10-18 hours per week.
  5. Enrolling in a CTE class (refer to next step):
    • AND currently working in a job related to the CTE class
    • OR not working yet but planning to actively seek related CTE employment prior to the next semester.
    STEP 2: ENROLL IN AN APPROVED VOCATIONAL CAREER-TECHNICAL (CTE) CLASS

    The district Cooperative Education program was designed to provide related employment to students seeking vocational academic pursuits via enrollment in Career Technical Education (CTE) courses. Therefore, only students enrolled in these state recognized vocational programs are eligible for enrollment. These are listed alphabetically below and include all courses offered by the William D. Ford Career-Technical Center, plus a few high school programs:

    STEP 3: STUDENT COMPLETES CO-OP APPLICATION

    Co-op applications are located in the counseling offices of John Glenn and Wayne Memorial and the co-op offices at the William D. Ford Career-Technical Center. The application requires a parent signature for students under age 18. Completed applications should be returned to the co-op office at William D. Ford Career-Technical Center OR the counseling office at the home school.
    STEP 4: DETERMINE WHAT HOUR TO SCHEDULE CO-OP
    6th HOUR: Usually preferred since this allows for earlier after school work hours.

    7th HOUR: An additional ½ credit if any one of the following is true.

    • If a student is short on credit hours to graduate.
    • When the student needs all six hours to fulfill graduation requirements.
    • The parent/guardian agrees to the schedule.

    1st HOUR: 6th hour release is usually preferred, but 1st hour co-op may be beneficial due to:

    • Difficulty scheduling required courses.
    • Job hours scheduled later in the evening.

    5th and 6th HOUR, combined: If all of the following criteria are met:

    • Scheduling both hours would not exceed the maximum of 3 co-op credits (including summer co-op).
    • The parent/guardian and administration approve the schedule.
    • The student will be scheduled to work during the 5th and 6th hour times.
    • Credits and requirements are on-target for graduation.
    STEP 5: ENROLL IN CO-OP AT REGISTRATION

    IMPORTANT: Plan a backup class to enroll in if a job is not obtained by the semester 4th Wednesday count.

    STEP 6: BEFORE THE SEMESTER BEGINS, THE APPLICANT WILL ATTEND AN INFO SESSION WITH THE CO-OP COORDINATOR.

    Please contact your Co-op Coordinators with any questions or concerns.

    JoAnn Fry
    (734) 419-2144
    fryj@wwcsd.net
    Debbie Tracz
    (734) 419-2142
    traczd@wwcsd.net

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    This site is designed and developed by the staff and students at the William D. Ford Career-Technical Center. E-mail questions and comments to wdfordctc@wwcsd.net.