Coop at PCC Sylvania Coop Task Force Findings

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 framework 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 1. 2. 3. 4. CCOG/Outcomes Syllabus Guidelines for Student Eligibility Site Development Responsible Party 1. 2. 3. 4. Department/SAC Department/Faculty Department/SAC Specialist/Faculty/Dept /Student (Student responsible for selection unless otherwise assigned by department)

Required Co-op Practices Practice 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Site Approval for Learning Site Approval for Legal and Policy Requirements Approval of Training Agreement & Learning Objectives (Required BEFORE enrollment) Enroll Student in Co-op Workers Compensation Responsible Party 5. Faculty 6. Specialist 7. Faculty (Signed by student, employer, faculty & specialist) 8. Specialist 9.

Required Co-op Practices Practice Responsible Party 10. Reflection in Co-op (not seminar) to be evaluated 10. 11. Site Visit/Monitoring 11. 12. Grade entered (P/NP recommended) Co-op records maintained for compliance 13. 12. 13. Faculty specifies method in syllabus. Student responsibility In person by faculty, unless good cause for faculty designee (not specialist) or alternative monitoring Faculty 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. 1. Specialist (faculty or department as needed) 2. Evaluation of skills development and workrelated accomplishments via portfolio or demonstration at work site 2. Faculty

Recommended Co-op Practices Practice 3. 4. 5. Education of students regarding workplace issues (harassment, labor law, discrimination, professionalism, etc. ) Workplace skills and techniques including time management, work ethics, problem solving, etc Career Exploration activities and research Responsible Party 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?

Sylvania Co-op Faculty Resources Copies of the Co-op Task Force Report and this presentation are available on-line at http: //sp ot. pcc. edu/jobs/ sycoop. htm