HomeMy WebLinkAbout6.2 Report 24-047 TIER 2 REVISIONS TO POLICY P.102.CUR COOPERATIVE EDUCATION AND EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING .pdfReport 24-047 4 April 2024
AD HOC POLICY COMMITTEE
TIER 2 REVISIONS TO POLICY P.102.CUR COOPERATIVE EDUCATION
AND EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING
Key Contact:Reg Lavergne,Superintendent of Program and Learning
Innovation,Secondary Schools,ext.8573
PURPOSE:
1.To seek input on the proposed revisions to Policy P.102.CUR Cooperative
Education and Experiential Learning.
STRATEGIC LINKS:
2.The changes proposed to Policy P.102.CUR Cooperative Education and
Experiential Learning reinforce the need and responsibility for placements that
are meaningful,relevant,and support all students,including historically
underserved learners,in their authentic pathway choices.This policy revision
aligns with the Learning,Social Responsibility,and Well-being pillars of the
District’s 2023-2027 Strategic Plan.
CONTEXT:
3.The District’s Policy P.102.CUR,Cooperative Education and Experiential
Learning has not been revised since its development in 2002.Besides the need
of this policy for a cyclical review,the new Cooperative Education Ontario
Curriculum document issued in 2018 necessitates a number of revisions in order
to align with the recent requirements of the Ministry.
Below is a detailed account of the proposed changes in Appendix A.
KEY CONSIDERATIONS:
4.Key Revisions
Section Revision and Rationale
Throughout the
policy
Applying the new policy template.
3.2 New language to address the overarching rationale for
offering cooperative education and experiential learning.
Page 1
3.3 New language using equity lens to open cooperative
learning to students with different pathways.
3.4 New language on the Board’s commitment to equity and
inclusiveness.
3.5 New language to address the criteria of effective
cooperative education and experiential learning.Content
is aligned with the most recent curriculum documents.
3.6 New language to reinforce the importance of offering
cooperative education and experiential learning to
underrepresented students in current and non-traditional
areas.
4.1 Removing this section as the Program Effectiveness
Survey was a direction in the 2000 curriculum and is no
longer required under the 2018 curriculum.
4.3 New language about outreach strategies to engage
underrepresented students.
4.4 Clarifying that the screening process of the employers is
established centrally by the District and the Ministry and
adding new language to highlight the importance of the
physical,emotional,and social safety and well-being for
students engaged in cooperative education and
experiential learning.
4.4 a Language will be migrated to the procedure due to the
nature of the content.
4.4 b&c Language already covered in Procedure PR.627.CUR.
4.6 New language to ensure the ongoing monitoring of
placement past their start.
4.7 New language to address the role of schools during
different cooperative education experiences.
4.8 Revised language to align with the current practice where
all co-op students receive an hourly wage or a salary.
4.9 This procedural content is currently covered by
Procedure PR.627.CUR.
4.10 &4.11 Deleting all content related to the exceptional cases when
students receive remuneration,which is now replaced
with the revised 4.8.
4.12 Updating the wording related to the attendance policies of
Page 2
students on cooperative placements in order to shift the
focus from mere attendance to a life experience reflective
of the students’needs.
The above listed revisions will necessitate a review of Procedure PR.627.CUR,
Cooperative Education and Experiential Learning,to align the content and include the
procedural content removed from the policy.
RESOURCE IMPLICATIONS:
5.This policy is supported through existing resources in the budget of Program and
Learning Innovation.
COMMUNICATION/CONSULTATION ISSUES:
6.As a Tier 2 Policy Review,the proposed draft will be posted to the District
website through Engage OCDSB and awareness will be raised on this
consultation through parent/guardian,student,and school council
communications.Feedback from the public will be received between 29 March
and 29 April 2024,and incorporated into a final draft of the policy that will be
presented to the Ad Hoc Policy Committee on 6 June 2024 for approval.A
recommendation of the approval of the policy will proceed from the Committee to
the Board meeting of 24 June 2024.
GUIDING QUESTIONS
●Do the proposed revisions reflect the shift in the rationale behind offering
cooperative education and experiential learning?
●Do the proposed revisions fairly address all equity considerations of this
policy?
Reg Lavergne
Superintendent of Program and
Learning Innovation
Pino Buffone
Director of Education and
Secretary of the Board
APPENDICES
Appendix A Revised Policy P.102.CUR Cooperative Education and Experiential
Learning
Appendix B Standing Policy P.102.CUR Cooperative Education and Experiential
Learning
Page 3
POLICY P.102.CUR
TITLE:COOPERATIVE EDUCATION AND EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING
Date Authorized:26 April 2002
Last Revised:XXXXX 2024
Last Reviewed:XXXXX 2024
COMMITMENT TO INDIGENOUS RIGHTS,HUMAN RIGHTS,AND EQUITY
The Board recognizes its responsibility to ensure that this policy and associated procedures promote
and protect Indigenous rights,human rights,and equity.The Board will strive to address and
eliminate discrimination and structural and systemic barriers for students,staff,and community.
1.0 RATIONALE
To support Cooperative Education and other forms of Experiential Learning for
Ottawa-Carleton District School Board secondary school students,in compliance with the
Ontario Curriculum.
2.0 DEFINITIONS
Please refer to Appendix A for a full list of definitions of terms used in this policy.
3.0 POLICY GUIDING PRINCIPLES
3.1 The Board supports Cooperative Education and other forms of Experiential Learning for
its secondary students to enhance their school programs and to assist them in making
career decisions.
3.2 The Board supports providing all students with opportunities to authentically connect
learning with career-life planning.
3.3 To this end,the Board is committed to providing school-work transition programs for
students intending to enter the workforce directly after graduating from high school
student-driven Cooperative Education and Experiential Learning that align with student
goals and interest in different pathways (workforce,college,university,and
apprenticeship).
3.4 The Board believes in Cooperative Education and Experiential Learning that help
students:
a)apply,extend,and refine skills and knowledge acquired in their school;
-1 -P.102.CUR
b)apply skills,knowledge,and habits of mind that will protect and promote their
health,safety,and well-being;
c)create and implement a learning plan that meets their particular interests,goals,
and needs;and
d)connect their lived experiences to their learning;and
e)guide and support their pathway goals.
3.5 The Board encourages partnerships between schools and employers to provide
students with appropriate and relevant placements;including placements in
non-traditional areas that supports underrepresented students.
4.0 SPECIFIC DIRECTIVES
4.1 Following procedure 3.5 of the Ministry document,Cooperative Education and Other
Forms of Experiential Learning,Policies and Procedures for Ontario Secondary
Schools,2000,the Board shall conduct a program effectiveness survey every four years
as part of the ongoing assessment of the delivery of Cooperative Education and work
experience.This survey may be done in conjunction with other surveys required by the
Ministry such as that required by the Ministry's Choices into Action document on
guidance and career education.
4.2 Cooperative education,work experience,and school-work transition programs shall be
free from discrimination and harassment and shall provide all students with safe and
secure environments to enable them to participate fully and responsibly in the
educational experience.
4.3 Schools shall make certain that a proper screening process is in place adhere to the
screening process established by both the District and Ministry to ensure that:
a)the employer is offering a safe,culturally responsive,and properly supervised
placement that supports the physical,emotional,and social well-being for
students;
b)the student is covered by the Board’s liability insurance.The Board’s liability
insurance protects students,employers and Board District employees while
students are engaged in such a cooperative work experience;and
c)Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB)coverage shall is completed and
obtained for students prior to starting at the placement.Teachers shall follow
WSIB and the OCDSB procedures when reporting accidents;and
d)the Ministry of Education Work Education Agreement Form shall is completed
and signed by all parties prior to student placement.This form must shall be used
for all students participating in Cooperative Education or work experience who
are fourteen years of age or older.
-2 -P.102.CUR
4.4 Educators involved in Cooperative Education shall ensure,within available resources,
the provision of any accommodations and modifications required to allow exceptional
students to achieve their full potential,as described in their Individual Education Plans
(IEPs).This may include the provision of additional professional or paraprofessional
staff and the use of specialized equipment where necessary.
4.5 Ongoing monitoring of the student's placement is necessary to ensure safety and
compliance with Ontario Curriculum.
4.6 The school shall maintain control over the direction of all Cooperative Education
learning activities even when students receive remuneration.The school shall oversee
and provide direction on all learning matters in all forms of co-operative education
including but not limited to in-person,virtual,part-time,full-time,paid,and unpaid
experiences.
4.7 Although the emphasis in Cooperative Education is placed on learning and is
differentiated from part-time employment.It is not expected that Cooperative Education
students will receive hourly wages or a salary,paid work shall be supported if the
placement is deemed an appropriate and meaningful learning experience.However,in
some circumstances,students are permitted to receive an honorarium or expense
allowance,as follows.
4.8 In circumstances where students would bear a cost that is onerous or unaffordable,
students are permitted to receive an honorarium or an expense allowance from their
placement (e.g.,cost of safety boots or helmet,lab coats,transportation).
4.9 In exceptional circumstances (e.g.,a specialized program such as a school to work
transition program)students in specialized programs may receive remuneration.
4.10 In the case of Cooperative Education students registered as apprentices in trades
recognized by the Trades Qualification and Apprenticeship Act,the student shall be paid
apprenticeship wages by the employer as set out in that Act.
4.11 The attendance policy for Cooperative Education programs is the same as for all other
school programs and activities.should be flexible,adaptive,and reflective of the student
learning needs,while adhering to District tracking and monitoring responsibilities.
4.12 The Director is authorized to establish and issue such procedures as may be necessary
to implement and support this policy.
5.0 APPENDICES
Appendix A:Policy Definitions
6.0 REFERENCE DOCUMENTS
The Education Act,2000
Trades Qualification and Apprenticeship Act,1998
Policy/Program Memorandum No.76A,Workplace Safety and Insurance Coverage for
-3 -P.102.CUR
Students in Work Education Programs
Cooperative Education and Other Forms of Experiential Learning,Policies and Procedures for
Ontario Secondary Schools,2000
Choices into Action,Ministry of Education,1999
The Ontario Curriculum Grades 11 and 12,Cooperative Education,2018
The Ontario Curriculum Grades 11 and 12,Guidance and Career Education,2018
OSBIE Risk Management Advisory C.3:Cooperative Education/Work Experience Programs re
WSIB
OCDSB Policy P.032.SCO:Safe Schools (Managing Student Behaviour)
OCDSB Policy P.098.CUR:Antiracism &Ethnocultural Equity and Inclusive Education
OCDSB Procedure PR.521.SCO:Safe Schools
OCDSB Procedure PR.618.CUR:Antiracism and Ethnocultural Equity
OCDSB Procedure PR.627.CUR:Cooperative Education and Experiential Learning
-4 -P.102.CUR
APPENDIX A:POLICY DEFINITIONS
In this policy,
Board means the Board of Trustees.
Cooperative education is a planned learning experience,for which credits are earned,that
integrates classroom theory and learning experiences at a workplace to enable students to apply and
refine the knowledge and skills acquired in a related curriculum course or a locally developed course.
District means the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board.
Experiential learning includes planned learning experiences that take place in the community,
including job shadowing and job twinning,work experience and virtual work experience providing
students who are enrolled in courses of all types and in all disciplines with the opportunity to enhance
their school programs.
-5 -P.102.CUR
- 1 - P.102.CUR
POLICY P.102.CUR
TITLE: COOPERATIVE EDUCATION AND EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING
Date issued: 26 April 2002
Last revised:
Authorization: Board: 08 April 2002
1.0 OBJECTIVE
To support cooperative education and other forms of experiential learning for Ottawa-Carleton
District School Board secondary school students.
2.0 DEFINITIONS
In this policy,
2.1 Cooperative education is a planned learning experience, for which credits are earned,
that integrates classroom theory and learning experiences at a workplace to enable
students to apply and refine the knowledge and skills acquired in a related curriculum
course or a locally developed course.
2.2 Experiential learning includes planned learning experiences that take place in the
community, including job shadowing and job twinning, work experience and virtual work
experience. Providing students who are enrolled in courses of all types and in all
disciplines with the opportunity to enhance their school programs.
3.0 POLICY
3.1 The Board supports cooperative education and o ther forms of experiential learning for
its secondary students to enhance their school programs and to assist them in making
career decisions.
3.2 To this end, the Board is committed to providing school-work transition programs for
students intending to enter the workforce directly after graduating from high school.
3.3 The Board encourages partnerships between schools and employers to provide
students with appropriate placements.
3.4 Following procedure 3.5 of the Ministry document, Cooperative Education and Other
Forms of Experiential Learning, Policies and Procedures for Ontario Secondary
Schools, 2000, the Board shall conduct a program effectiveness survey every four years
- 2 - P.102.CUR
as part of the ongoing assessment of the delivery of cooperative education and work
experience. This survey may be done in conjunction with other surveys required by the
Ministry such as that required by the Ministry's Choices into Action document on
guidance and career education.
3.5 Cooperative education, work experience and school-work transition programs shall be
free from discrimination and harassment and shall provide all students with safe and
secure environments to enable them to participate fully and responsibly in the
educational experience. Schools shall make certain that a proper scr eening process is
in place to ensure that the employer is offering a safe and properly supervised
placement, and that the student is covered by the Board’s liability insurance. The
Board’s liability insurance protects students, employers and Board employees while
students are engaged in such a cooperative work experience. Workplace Safety and
Insurance Board (WSIB) coverage shall be obtained for students at the placement. A
Ministry of Education Work Education Agreement Form shall be completed and signed
by all parties prior to student placement. This form shall be used for all students
participating in cooperative education or work experience who are f ourteen years of age
or older. Teachers shall follow WSIB and school board procedures when reporting
accidents.
3.6 Educators involved in cooperative education shall ensure, within available resources,
the provision of any accommodations and modifications required to allow exceptional
students to achieve their full potential, as described in their IEPs. This may include the
provision of additional professional or paraprofessional staff and the use of specialized
equipment where necessary.
3.7 The emphasis in cooperative education shall be placed on learning, and cooperative
education is differentiated from part-time employment. It is not expected that
cooperative education students will receive hourly wages or a salary. However, in some
circumstances, students are permitted to receive an honorarium or expense allowance,
as follows:
a) in circumstances where students would bear a cost that is onerous or
unaffordable, students are permitted to receive an honorarium or an expense
allowance from their placement (e.g., cost of safety boots or helmet, lab coats,
transportation);
b) in exceptional circumstances (e.g., a specialized program such as a school to
work transition program) students in specialized programs may receive
remuneration; and
c) in the case of cooperative education students registered as apprentices in trades
recognized by the Trades Qualification and Apprenticeship Act, the student shall
be paid apprenticeship wages by the employer as set out in that Act.
3.8 The school shall maintain control over the direction of all cooperative education learning
activities even when students receive remuneration.
3.9 The attendance policy for cooperative education programs is the same as for all other
school programs and activities.
- 3 - P.102.CUR
3.10 The Director is authorized to establish and issue such procedures as may be necessary
to implement and support this policy.
4.0 REFERENCE DOCUMENTS
The Education Act, 2000
Policy/Program Memorandum No. 76A, Workplace Safety and Ins urance Coverage for
Students in Work Education Programs
Trades Qualification and Apprenticeship Act, 1998
Cooperative Education and Other Forms of Experiential Learning, Policies and Procedures for
Ontario Secondary Schools, 2000
Choices into Action, Ministry of Education, 1999
OSBIE Risk Management Advisory C.3: Cooperative Education/Work Experience Programs re
WSIB
Board Policy P.032.SCO: Safe Schools
Board Policy P.098.CUR: Antiracism & Ethnocultural Equity
Board Procedure PR.521.SCO: Safe Schools
Board Procedure PR.618.CUR: Antiracism and Ethnocultural Equity
Board Procedure PR.627.CUR: Cooperative Education and Experiential Learning