Brie Hoolahan

Summary of Mr. McCracken (August 27, 2015)

I. Capstone Modules (CAPS)
Mr. McCracken spoke of the Cooperation Education Guidelines for Administration
and how students must meet with their co-op teacher for at least 45-minutes per week
or 90-minutes every other week to discuss job problems and related information.
Additionally, at least one on-site evaluation must occur each month and each student
must have a training plan in place. Individual needs of the students will determine
which modules will be used. (Refer to page 8 in the Cooperative Education Guidelines
for Administration booklet.)

II. Wage and Hour Sheets

It is important to have accurate wage and hour sheets. Ideally, Mr. McCracken
suggests that the student should complete them and the supervisor should sign them.
As the job progresses, each activity the student is expected to do should relate back to
the training plan. Make sure the supervisor is fully aware of the training plan as most
will be quick to help to adopt it.

III. Other duties

Often a co-op supervisor will be called upon to perform additional duties that may
not necessarily be part of their job description. That role could range from being a
substitute, NOCTI Coordinator, Guidance Counselor, Principal, or to teaching an
employability skills class.

IV. Nuances of individual program considerations for Co-Op

It is imperative to learn the programs represented at a CTC better so that you
can be better informed when a student goes out on co-op. Included in this might be: the
number of hours a student must earn in order to receive a cosmetology license;
certifications; NRA (National Restaurant Association) information; PPG; Certified
Nursing Assistant (CNA); NIMS (National Institute for Machining Skills) which is the
only program that does not do NOCTI; GMAW (Gas, Metal, Arc Welding).

V. Internal/External complexities to placement

Internally: Need instructor approval, vocational guidance, sending school
guidance, principal approval, FORMS!

Externally: check out the site!, check out the supervisor!, transportation!

VI. Co-Op can save this kid!

Co-op is not necessarily the Savior of programs. Students need to show some
responsibility and take this opportunity seriously. A co-op supervisor may end up losing
a site if the wrong student goes there. Conversely, co-op programs HAVE helped
students who may not do well in school, but perform at a high level when they are
working and learning what they hope to make their career. In other words, co-op
programs are not for every student but they can definitely help some.

VII. I fought the law and the lawyers won (CPSL and Co-Op)
New clearance requirements state that the SUPERVISOR of the co-op (minor)
student must have clearances: criminal background check, child abuse clearance, and
FBI check. If the supervisor does not have their clearances, Mr. McCrackens solicitor
suggests that the sending school pay for those clearances so that the site does not
incur those costs since they are already providing several opportunities for the
student(s).