Cooperative Education (Co-op)/Diversified Cooperative Education (DCE)
Cooperative Education is a cooperative effort between the co-op teacher, and an employer partner where students gain technical application experience and professional skill development aligned with CTE Program Standards and business need. Students are placed in an employment opportunity with the employer partner and take one required class period in school dedicated to professional skill development.
In a Diversified Cooperative Education program, the teacher is responsible for students in multiple program areas instead of all students in the same one program area.
A Cooperative Education, K-12 Endorsement and CTE Certification is required for all teachers developing a Co-op/DCE program. For more information visit ADE Educator Certification website: Cooperative Education, K-12 Endorsement | Arizona Department of Education
- Student must be a concentrator in a CTE program on the most current Arizona Approved CTE Program List or an Approved Local Occupational Program.
- If Co-op program is for credit, it must be listed in the school catalog and on the CTE Program Course Sequence.
- The school collaborates with the employer to coordinate classroom instruction and on-the-job training to establish training agreement and training plan.
- The school coordinates with the employer to align classroom instruction with on-the-job training.
- Credit is granted as approved by the local school district.
- Parent or guardian agrees to accept responsibility for student safety and conduct while traveling between school, place of employment, and home.
- Students and worksites must be visited periodically to ensure work assignments are safe and appropriate, and to check student progress, attendance, and safety. See Section 3: Workplace Experience Planning for more details.
- Teachers/WBL coordinators evaluate employer site for proper training and safety conditions prior to student(s) starting.
(WBL Guidebook page 8-9)