1 WORK EXPERIENCE EDUCATION

2 WORK EXPERIENCE EDUCATION WORK EXPERIENCE EDUCATION What is it? What does it offer our school and district? Students? Community? Who teaches it?

3 What Work Experience is... State approved, accredited vocational education Protects students who work more hours Curriculum that supports academic education Three types of accredited WEE: Exploratory General Vocational

4 What WEE Offers The School or District: Meets state requirement that seniors have five classes, but shortens their day. Less students in classrooms. Adds elective credits On-Site knowledge of labor laws and regulations Additional (pseudo) counselor on site Work Permit Issuance Community Liaison

5 For Students, WEE Offers: Workforce Preparation Combining class instruction with on-site learning Promotio n Increased Communication Work Objectives Units of Credit Greater Availability Representatio n Community Partners Accountability Goal Setting

6 For Students (recap) Representation Accountability Work Objectives Increased Communication Goal setting Community Partners Units of Credit Greater Availability Promotion

7 Examples of WEE students:  General income earner  Exploring careers  Training for a career  Wants to graduate early  Needs to work more hours because of family financial need  Volunteering to gain experience  Volunteering for philanthropic reasons  Cramming credits*****

8 For The Community, WEE Offfers: A labor information center Workers with greater availability and responsibility A liaison to school To promote industry standards

9 Examples of Community Partners: General businesses, fast food, restaurants, retail, grocery stores, banks, florists, etc. Fire and police departments with Explorer Scout programs Non-profit agencies that have student volunteers Individuals that participate in mentoring or shadowing (D.A., City Officials, Physicians, etc.) Nearby Schools

10 Who Teaches WEE??? Credentialed Teacher 2 Years In Industry Flexible Attitude Transportation

11 WEE Teacher Responsibilities: Approve students for enrollment Approve work stations Assist students in placement Know state and federal labor laws for minors Issue work permits (usually) Prepare and conduct Work Experience Ed classes Prepare formal training agreements Observing and consulting w/ students Evaluating each student’s performance Determining credit to be given Two site visits to each work station per semester

12 Additional Duties May Include: 1. STC involvement 2. Helping with interviews in district or community 3. Guest speaking in other classes 4. Tax preparation with students outside of class 5. Etcetera, etcetera, etcetera...

13 Examples of Teachers: Full time Work Experience Education Coordinator Regular Ed teacher with periods designated for WEE (25-1 ratio) Special Ed WEE teacher (Workability, Workforce Investment Act, Special Ed Vocations class)

14 STARTING A PROGRAM File district plan with CDE Find qualified teacher Advise counselors Add sections to master schedule Make room for office / classroom Enroll students

15 Program Examples:  WEE office in Counseling Dept. Class held in separate classroom, work permits issued in WEE office by WEE coordinator or WEE clerk.  WEE office in Career Center. Classes held in separate classroom, work permits prepared by WEE Coordinator or Career Center Tech.  WEE office in a classroom where all classes are held and where students go to get a work permit.  Work Permits issued by district office. WEE teacher teaches WEE classes only or in combination with other classes.

16 EXAMPLES OF CLASS TIMES: One forum-type class per week, before school, for one hour Two forum-type classes per week, during lunchtime, for one hour Classes held throughout the day for late arrival and early dismissal students and one after school for those with full schedules One four hour class a month. (Class must be held periodically for the equivalency of one period a week)

17 Where to Get More Information Work Experience Ed. Info: California Association of Work Experience Educators Calif. Dept. of Education Mary Lou Naylor (916) Curriculum: Corona-Norco USD WEE Instructional Guide Russell Pierce (909) Programs Work Based Learning Guide CDE Press – (800) Labor Laws Labor Law Workshop With Wade Coletrain California Labor Codes Search Engine law.html

18 WORK EXPERIENCE IS LIFE EXPERIENCE WORK EXPERIENCE IS LIFE EXPERIENCE