Cooperative Education provides students the opportunity to develop academic, technical, and employability skills  in a work-based setting. 

Students in good academic standing, who have demonstrated the knowledge and skills associated with two full years (the equivalent of 8 terms) in their chosen technical field, are eligible for co-op employment. Through a cooperative arrangement between the school and employers, students alternate their studies in school with paid employment in their chosen technical field. Students are evaluated weekly by their employer and documentation is submitted to the Cooperative Education Coordinator. 

Cooperative Education placement requires a formal agreement between the school, employer, student, and parent/guardian. Students who participate in the Co-op program will be issued a Cooperative Employment Work Permit by the Co-op Coordinator. 

Student Requirements – (Summary) 

• Minimum age of 16
• Students who have demonstrated the acquisition of the knowledge and skills in the applicable Vocational Technical Education Framework and the Massachusetts Curriculum frameworks associated with at least two years of full time study.
• Teacher recommendation/approval (technical area/academic).
• Administrative recommendation/approval to ensure good discipline/conduct and attendance.

Employer Requirements – (Summary) 

• Provide students with continuous supervision by the employer
• Provide a safety and health orientation specific to the site for all employee-students
• Allow sufficient supervisory visit time between student, employer and the school’s cooperative education coordinator or appropriate vocational technical teacher.
• Employers must have Worker’s Compensation Insurance and provide a copy of binder to the school.
• Employers are required to follow all federal and state requirements pertaining to employment. This would include the withholding of taxes, overtime wages and hourly restrictions for minors.
• State law and Whittier School District policy requires a CORI (Criminal Offender Records Information) on any individual who has direct and/or unmonitored contact with Whittier students. A CORI is also required for any individual that may be transporting a Whittier student to and from a job site.

The Co-op office must be notified immediately by the employer if:

• The student is injured on the job.
• The student does not report to work as scheduled.

Whittier reserves the right to terminate the co-op agreement at any time because of student’s grades, attendance, or discipline matters.

For More Information Please Contact:

Beverly DeSalvo
Vocational/Technical Coordinator /Co-op
978-373-4101 x267
bdesalvo@whittier.tec.ma.us

A letter to Cooperative Employers

Cooperative Education/School Calendar

Cooperative Education Contract

Cooperative Education Laws

CORI Cover Letter

Massachusetts CORI Request Form

New Hampshire CORI Request Form

Co-op Assessment Instrument

Co-op Student Journal