Co-op at PCC Sylvania

Co-op Task Force

Findings and Recommendations

Agenda

Co-op Task Force Mission and Findings General Outcomes for Co-op Courses Co-op Practices Required by State and PCC Recommended “Best Practices” for Co-op Discussion and Next Steps

Co-op Task Force (2008-2009)

Mission: Clarify Co-op Goals, Practices and Roles at PCC (College-wide)

Tasks: Identify desirable outcomes of Co-op Identify practices to be applied consistently

throughout college Identify roles of faculty, APs and administrators Assess pay methodology for Co-op faculty

Guiding Principles

Regional Standards (Accreditation, Oregon Statute & DOE Guidelines, PCC Policies)

“…assure that the PCC Cooperative Education Program is academically rigorous.”

Consistent standards throughout PCC Focus on “Best Practices” Broad representation on committee (Labor,

management, faculty, APs, administrators, Participants from CA/RC/SY/Open campuses)

Committee Findings

Identified a set of general outcomes for all Co-op courses (with assistance from Curriculum Committee)

Identified required and recommended practices and responsible parties

Developed a proposal for faculty pay (used during contract negotiations)

Co-op Outcomes

Work productively in the workplace field Apply acquired (classroom) skills, knowledge,

and training in a workplace setting Understand the skills and demands of work in

the field in order to make informed career decisions

Communicate appropriately in the workplace Continue to explore career opportunities

Co-op Requirements

State Guidelines (DOE)

Co-op must be “part of a program of study” (associate degree, certificate of completion, transfer program).

Co-op must be approved through each college’s curriculum approval process.

Co-op courses are for credit and require adherence to all relevant policies related to curriculum and grading.

Co-op sets up a “Contractual Relationship with Organizations not Regionally Accredited” (i.e., the Co-op employer).

Co-op must include an individual learning plan including learning outcomes and objectives.

Co-op must include monitoring of the student’s progress through periodic visits or contacts at the Co-op site.

Co-op Requirements

Federal and State Law Co-op experiences may be paid or unpaid. For

paid positions, various employment laws, including wage and hour laws, apply to the employer-employee.

Co-op experiences must be administered in compliance with civil rights laws and regulations.

Co-op programs must comply with Worker’s Compensation requirements

Principles for Putting Requirements into Practice

Effective Co-op learning requires structured student reflection

The instructor must be responsible for site visits to assess student learning

Faculty hired to teach Co-op courses must meet SAC Instructor Qualifications

Required Co-op Practices

Practice Responsible Party

1. CCOG/Outcomes2. Syllabus3. Guidelines for

Student Eligibility4. Site Development

1. Department/SAC2. Department/Faculty3. Department/SAC

4. Specialist/Faculty/Dept/Student (Student responsible for selection unless otherwise assigned by department)

Required Co-op Practices

Practice Responsible Party

5. Site Approval for Learning

6. Site Approval for Legal and Policy Requirements

7. Approval of Training Agreement & Learning Objectives (Required BEFORE enrollment)

8. Enroll Student in Co-op9. Workers Compensation

5. Faculty6. Specialist

7. Faculty (Signed by student, employer, faculty & specialist)

8. Specialist9. Specialist

Required Co-op Practices

Practice Responsible Party

10. Reflection in Co-op (not seminar) to be evaluated

11. Site Visit/Monitoring

12. Grad entered (P/NP recommended

13. Co-op records maintained for compliance

10. Faculty specifies method in syllabus. Student responsibility

11. In person by faculty, unless good cause for faculty designee (not specialist) or alternative monitoring

12. Faculty13. Specialist

Best Practices for Co-op

“We recommend the following practices be adopted by the department, faculty or specialists in embedded seminars, courses, training or one-on-one advising, etc., in addition to Co-op courses.”

- Co-op Task Force

Recommended Co-op Practices

Practice Responsible Party

1. Job search skills and techniques, including resumes, interviewing, cover letters, etc.

2. Evaluation of skills development and work-related accomplishments via portfolio or demonstration at work site

1. Specialist (faculty or department as needed)

2. Faculty

Recommended Co-op Practices

Practice Responsible Party

3. Education of students regarding workplace issues (harassment, labor law, discrimination, professionalism, etc.)

4. Workplace skills and techniques including time management, work ethics, problem solving, etc

5. Career Exploration activities and research

3. Specialist

4. Specialist (faculty or department as needed)

5. Faculty, Specialist, Department

Next Steps?

All SACs should review Co-op CCOGs for general outcomes (and to meet new grading requirements)

How should departments review their practices?

What support do faculty and specialists need to implement changes?

What changes need to be made to the Co-op Faculty Handbook and other published material?

How does the college verify that standards are being met?