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New York State Education Department (NYSED)-
Approved Work Experience Programs
Introduction
Quality school-sponsored and -supervised work-based learning programs are tremendous aids in helping students develop both the soft skills (e.g., communications, teamwork, problem-solving) and career-specific technical skills necessary not only for future employment, but also for success at the postsecondary level. More importantly, however, evidence strongly suggests that quality work-based learning programs can provide invaluable experiences that enable students to vividly see the connections between school and the real world of work. Clearly, such programs can be the impetus for encouraging some students to remain in school and on-track towards a high school diploma.
In New York schools there are approximately 250,000 students, grades 7-12, who participate in some form of work-based learning annually, from informal non-credit bearing programs such as job shadowing, worksite tours, and service learning to formal NYSED-approved credit bearing programs described below. More than 32,000 businesses and employers help to support the various work-based learning initiatives. The programs, operated and coordinated by local high schools and Boards of Cooperative Education Services (BOCES), are divided into two primary categories – paid experiences and non-paid experiences.
Regular Education Students
In the non-paid category, the only State-approved program that conveys school credit is the Career Exploration Internship Program (CEIP), which provides students with extended on-site career exploration experiences. Within the paid category, there are three available programs that convey graduation and/or sequence credit: the Cooperative Career & Technical Education Work Experience Program (CO-OP), the General Education Work Experience Program (GEWEP), and the Work Experience and Career Exploration Program (WECEP).
The above programs require a commitment from the local educational agency (high school/BOCES) to provide the proper supervision, coordination, counseling, and related classroom instruction. Specific guidelines for each program are available to school districts from the New York State Education Department. Since work-experience programs must meet certain federal and State guidelines concerning the placement of minors into work-based environments, the local coordinator must be knowledgeable about employment certificates, the Fair Labor Standards Act, State and federal wage and hour regulations, fringe benefits, prohibited occupations, and a host of other regulations.
The following general guidelines need to be followed when implementing any of the NYSED-approved work-experience programs:
· The Board of Education must act to establish the specific work-experience program as an option for students;
· The program must be registered and re-registered every five years (two years for WECEP), with the New York State Education Department;
· The work-experience coordinator must be properly certified, according to the appropriate teacher certification requirements. New requirements for experiential/work-based learning certification went into effect February 4, 2004.
· Students must be placed in accordance with all federal and State labor laws;
· A written memorandum of agreement and a training plan must be in effect among each participating student, the sponsoring business, and the educational agency; and
· All participating students must be meeting or have met academic requirements for graduation.
The New York State Education Department-sponsored and -approved programs are outlined below.
Career Exploration Internship Program (CEIP)
The Career Exploration Internship Program is a school-business partnership initiative that provides high school students, age 14 and above, the opportunity to obtain non-paid, on-site, career exploration experiences. The focus of the program is meaningful, hands-on, career exploration rather than skill development. Students may earn ¼ to 1 unit of elective or CTE sequence credit. This program must be registered with the New York State Education Department, and must be coordinated by a CTE teacher who possesses an extension as a Diversified Co-op Coordinator or as a Coordinator of Work-Based Learning Programs for Career Development.
Cooperative Career & Technical Education Work Experience Program (CO-OP)
The Cooperative Career & Technical Education Work Experience Program is a work-based learning program for students age 16 and above, consisting of 150 to 600 hours of paid, school-supervised work experience, supported by related in-school instruction in a specific career & technical discipline. Students may earn ½ to 2 units of credit towards a CTE sequence, depending upon the specific sequence. This program must be registered with the New York State Education Department, and must be coordinated by a CTE teacher who possesses an extension as a Diversified Co-op Coordinator or as a Coordinator of Work-Based Learning Programs for Career Development.
The General Education Work Experience Program is a work-based learning option for non-CTE students, age 16 and above. The program consists of 150-600 hours of paid, supervised work experience, supported by the equivalent of at least one classroom period per week of related instruction. Students typically earn ½ to 2 units of high school credit. This program must be registered with the New York State Education Department; it may be coordinated by any teacher or guidance counselor certified at the secondary level who possesses an extension as Coordinator of Work-Based Learning Programs for Career Exploration.
Work Experience and Career Exploration Program (WECEP)
The Work Experience and Career Exploration Program (WECEP) is a work-based learning initiative sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor and the New York State Education Department. It is similar in design and operation as the General Education Work Experience Program, but designed specifically for at-risk students age 14-15. Students typically earn ½ to 1 unit of high school credit. This program must be registered with the New York State Education Department; it may be coordinated by any teacher or guidance counselor certified at the secondary level who possesses an extension as Coordinator of Work-Based Learning Programs for Career Exploration.
For further information about the above four programs, specific program guidelines, units of credit, program registration forms, etc., please contact Tony Schilling, Coordinator of Work-Experience Programs, New York State Education Department, Room 315EB, Albany, New York 12234 [518-474-4486].
Special Education Students
Popular work-experience options for students with disabilities are the Community-Based Vocational Education Programs (CBVEP's). As with the programs previously outlined for regular education students, the coordinator of CBVEP's must be knowledgeable about federal and State regulations, employment certificates, the Fair Labor Standards Act, State and federal wage and hour regulations, fringe benefits, prohibited occupations, etc. Additionally, when work-experience opportunities are provided for special education students, there are many other needs and requirements to consider.
Community-Based Vocational Education Programs (CBVEP's)
There are specific guidelines that the U.S. Departments of Education and Labor have jointly developed for school districts to use when providing non-paid, community-based vocational education/training programs for students with disabilities. In general, such programs should be designed as a continuum of learning and permit students age 14 and above to engage in:
· Vocational exploration - 5 hours per job experienced
· Vocational assessment - 90 hours per job experienced
· Vocational training - 120 hours per job experienced
Ideally, upon completing one, all, or any combination of the three components, depending upon the student’s needs, he/she would be prepared to move into a paid work-experience program, or upon high school graduation – obtain regular or supported employment. Options will vary, depending on student experiences, abilities, and interests.
For further information about Community-Based Vocational Education Programs for students with disabilities, please contact Joanne LaCrosse, 518-486-7509, New York State Education Department, Office of Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities, Room 1609, One Commerce Plaza, Albany, New York 12234.