1. Cooperative Education Seminar (7933)
Northridge High School
Course Syllabus
Fall Term 2009/Spring Term 2010
Instructor: Katherine Adams kadams@nhs.tusc.12.al.us
Conference upon request: 391-0298 Room 112
Course Description
Cooperative education combines in-class instruction with on-the-job training experiences to help students prepare for
a chosen career objective. Students accepted must (1) be at least sixteen (16) years of age and have successfully
completed the tenth grade, (2) not be deficient on the high school exit exam (seniors only), (3) be physically and
mentally capable of performing the tasks of the career objective. Cooperative Education/Coordinated Studies
Seminar requires students to successfully complete Coordinated Studies and work a minimum of 270 hours to earn
one credit of work-based learning. After earning one credit in Coordinated Studies, students enrolled in Cooperative
Education are required to participate in the 27-hour Coordinated Studies Seminar to continue in the Cooperative
Education work-based experience. In the Coordinated Studies Seminar, students will update a career/employment
portfolio, submit documentation of required reports, critique workplace issues, and participate in FBLA activities.
Membership in FBLA is required. Prerequisite: Application and selection
Credit: 1 FBLA: $20
Materials and Text
SUPPLIES: One-inch 3-ring binder for portfolio; enthusiasm, self-motivation, self-discipline, and a positive attitude;
transportation to and from work site is the responsibility of the student.
Philosophy/Essential Functions
Senior cooperative education students must pass all sections of the graduation exam to be eligible to participate in
Cooperative Training. An individualized training plan identifies classroom and work site learning experiences
designed to meet the student’s occupational objective. Students must complete a minimum of 270 paid hours of on-
the-job training and 27 hours of seminar to earn one credit. Cooperative education brings together the employer,
commonly known as the “training station,” and the school in an effort to assist students to become well-rounded
citizens upon completion of high school. Students or employees will be expected to meet all of the course goals
listed below and be able to demonstrate their understanding of the underlying concepts. Students will learn how to
evaluate their own progress and make adjustments as needed throughout the course.
Professional Behavior Expectations
Professional behavior will be expected from all students at all times. Since a company’s success depends on the
ethical behavior of its employees, any unprofessional/unethical behavior cannot and will not be tolerated. Examples
of unwarranted behavior include: cheating, stealing, disrespect toward coordinator or supervisor, and other
employees, inappropriate language, sexual harassment, misuse of technology, misuse of company resources, wasting
company time. Any breech of ethical behavior will result in a student conference with the coordinator and
supervisor, parent contact, and/or administrative referral. Students losing their training stations due to any action
deemed unacceptable by the school and coordinator will be dropped from the program with a loss of all credit.
Absences. Employees will be expected to follow all school and city regulations regarding behavior and attendance.
A student not attending regular school classes and/or the Coordinated Studies class CANNOT work at the
training station on the day(s) of absence(s). A student who goes to work without coming to school will have their
six weeks grade lowered by 1 letter for each incident. The student is also subject to withdrawal from the Co-op
program. In case of absence, the student is required to call the coordinator by 8:00 a.m. and his/her employer before
working period. A student suspended from school CANNOT go to work and is placed on probation. On the second
offense they may be dropped from the cooperative education program. A student may be placed on probation after
five (5) consecutive days of absence. On the second offense the student may be dropped from the program except in
cases of illness of self or family members or death in the family. Excessive absences may result from removal from
the program and loss of credit.
Performance. Students who fail to perform satisfactorily during any grading period may be placed on probation.
On the second offense he/she may be asked to resign. Students whose jobs are terminated for any reason are to report
to the teacher-coordinator immediately. Failure to do so results in probation and possibly being dropped from the
program. Students are placed on the job to train and are under the supervisions of both the coordinator and business
supervisor/mentor where they are employed. Since training is the primary objective, students are expected to remain
with the training station to which they have been assigned. Students changing jobs without permission are subject to
being dropped from cooperative education. Parents should understand the student’s responsibility to the training
station and not interfere with the performance of the duties. Friends or family are not to visit the student on the job.
Personal business handled on the job is prohibited.
Business dress. Business rules for dress and personal hygiene will be observed.
An Employee-Employer Luncheon is held in the spring and all employees must attend. The cost is $20.
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2. Grading and Assessment Procedures: The six-week grade will be determined by the following:
20% Attendance, Record Keeping, and FBLA Activities
Students must arrive at school at the beginning of the school day and attend all scheduled classes.
No school—no work! (See policies and procedures handout)
Students must sign-out in Room 112 before leaving school for co-op. Failure to sign-out will result in
disciplinary form to principal for skipping.
Mondays are Seminar day and you must be present for record keeping of hours worked/wages earned.
Turn in weekly form signed by supervisor and attach check stubs for verification of hours worked.
All absences must be called in to Mrs. Adams by 7:55 a.m. on the morning of the absence. All checkouts must
be approved by Mrs. Adams. You must sign-out in Room 112 when checking out.
Staple absence excuses and/or checkouts/check-ins to the sign-out sheet in Room 112.
The following forms must be complete and turned in to Mrs. Adams: Work Permit, Training Agreement,
Training Plan, Application, Syllabus, Resume, Wage/Hour Report, Regulations/Policies, Parental
Permission for Driving, 3 teacher references
40% Evaluation
Evaluations are due by the last Wednesday of each grading period.
Failure to turn in an evaluation by the due date will result in an evaluation grade of 0.
40% Hours Worked/Wages Earned
A student must work a minimum of 90 paid work hours each six weeks. (An average of 15 hours/week)
Hours worked and wages earned must be documented each Monday. Every two weeks an hours worked
grade will be recorded. If documentation is not current, a grade of 0 will be recorded.
A student must report to work as scheduled. Failure to attend work is the same as skipping school and can be
reported as such.
Note: Students must meet course requirements of 270 work hours/27 seminar hours to receive credit.
The semester grade will be determined by averaging the three six week grades.
Policy
All Tuscaloosa City Board policies will be followed. (See student handbook for attendance, academic misconduct,
and discipline policies) All requests for special accommodations for this course are welcome from students and
parents. Co-op regulations and policies will be followed. (See handout)
Attendance Policy— Students must have a good attendance record. Attendance will be checked at the beginning of
the school day for all co-op students. If you are not at school at the beginning of the school day (7:55), you must
telephone Mrs. Adams at 391-0298. No exceptions. Voice mail is available for Mrs. Adams at 391-0298, any time
of the day or night. After five absences in this class, the employee must have a doctor’s excuse. An employee not
attending regular school classes CANNOT work on the day(s) of absences(s). A student who violates this policy is
subject to withdrawal from the Co-op program and a lowering of the Co-op grade.
Policy for Hours—To earn one credit of Co-op, the student must work a minimum of 270 hours of on-the-job
training and 27 hours of seminar. (Seminar hours are required each term after completing Coordinated Studies)
Conferencing Policy—Daily 7:30 – 7:55 in Room 112 (need to schedule with the instructor ahead of time). Other
times may be arranged for individual assistance as prearranged with the coordinator.
Course Goals
 To gain knowledge and skills to become competitive employees in a global economy
 To integrate the Advanced Accounting curriculum with other academic areas, thereby enabling students to
become successful citizens in a diverse and technological society
 To assist students in developing their abilities to analyze, communicate, manage, and lead
 To provide learning experiences that are project-based and require higher-order thinking, communication,
management and leadership skills
Outline: Student will
 Update a career/employment portfolio.
 Submit documentation of required reports—Wage and hour report; Work schedules
 Critique workplace issues.
 Participate in a work-based learning experience as related to the student’s career objective-270 hours/term/credit
 Participate in student organization activities (FBLA)
 Participate in 27 hours of seminar activities
 Attend the spring Employee/Employer Luncheon ($25)
It is the official policy of the Tuscaloosa City Board of Education that no person shall, on the grounds of race, color, handicap, sex, religion, creed,
national origin, or age, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefit of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program, activity, or
employment.
I have carefully read and understand all of the provisions that are presented in this grade disclosure contract. I agree to
abide by all co-op rules throughout the school year.
______________________________ _______________________________ __________________
Employee Signature Parent Signature Date

3. Cooperative Education Seminar (7933)
Northridge High School
Course Syllabus
Fall Term 2009/Spring Term 2010
Business/Marketing Program Goals include:
 Provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary for economic success in the twenty-first century
 Prepare students for the accelerated changes taking place in the competitive business world
 Provide a foundation that enables students to become productive workers and citizens
 Facilitate learning in a student-centered environment
 Provide activities which build leadership skills
 Provide opportunities for students to become independent and lifelong learners
COOPEERATIVE EDUCATION SEMINAR
CONTENT STANDARDS
Students will:
1. Update a career/employment portfolio.
Career/educational plan and objective
Resume
Transcripts
Honors, awards, and commendations
Employment credentials
Work evaluations
Copies of completed job and/or college applications
List of references
Letters of recommendation
Work samples
2. Submit documentation of required reports.
3. Critique workplace issues.
4. Participate in a work-based learning experience as related to the student’s career
objective.