Cooperative Education: What the Research Says

William T. Grant Foundation “has a solid achievement record and merits far more attention than it has received”

Evaluation Results Successful in creating a stronger connection between school and work Improves attitudes toward both school and work Do not obtain higher earnings after leaving high school unless they continue working for cooperative education employer Proportion who have attended college has been smaller than among other high school graduates

Supervised vs. Unsupervised Work Higher quality jobs More contact with adults More job supervision More challenge More meaningful work More satisfaction with school Involves assuming responsibility, reading, writing, problem-solving

Supervised vs. Unsupervised Work Make gains on: –moral reasoning, –self-esteem, –social and personal responsibility, –attitudes toward adults and others, –career exploration, and –empathy/complexity of thought Claim more often that jobs positively affected decisions to stay in school and to attend classes during senior year

Performed Better Than Peers School engagement –Attendance –Tardiness Academic indicators –Grade point average –Likelihood of enrolling in college

Increased Educational Value More positive perceptions of their jobs More positive perceptions of relationship between work and school

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