Work-Based Learning

Co-op/Class Extension

Students participate in on-the-job training at a work site during or after school hours.  It is designed to give students a supervised, practical application of work experience based on what they have learned in their TECH Center program.

Custom Class

Custom classes are intended to provide small groups of students with smaller-than-class-size learning opportunities beyond the regular program options. Custom class students receive real-world experience as they learn on the job with local employers. Students receive training at training sites. Business owners and/or employees provide non-paid working/leaning experience through hands-on training.

On-the-Job Training (OJT)

Students use what they are currently learning in their TECH Center program in an unpaid experience (max. 45 hour experience in the same job).

Job Shadowing

Students get an opportunity to see the connection to what they have learned in their TECH Center program through observation in an unpaid one- or two-day experience.

Work Experience

Students are paid, through and employer of their choosing, while earning high school credits and gaining valuable work skills.  This type of employment is not connected to a TECH Center program nor does it require you to attend the TECH Center,  Students must gain approval from their home school counselor.

*For each of the above experiences, the employer is required to have the following:

• Worker's compensation insurance
• General liability insurance
• Background check on supervisor
• A site visit by coordinator

Before Participating in Work-Based Learning

Q: How quickly can students begin their Work Experience or Co-op?
A: There are many steps to setting up a work experience or co-op.  Each step must be completed prior to the student being eligible to receive school credit while working during school hours.  For this reason it can take up to two weeks for the student can being their work experience or Co-op.

Q: Does the student need the home school counselor's approval to participate in work experience?
A: Yes.

Q: Do students have to be in a TECH Center program in order to participate in a Work-Based Learning experience?
A: No.  They can participate in Work Experience.

Q: Can you help students get a job or Work-Based Learning experience?
A: For work experience, students are responsible for getting their own job with the potential assistance of the LISD job board and Workforce Development Coordinator.

Q: How many hours can a student work each week?
A: It depends on the student's age.  If the student is under 18, they are limited to 24 hours per week.  There aren't any hourly work restrictions if they are 18 or older.

Q: Can the student work during the school day?
A: Yes, if there is a training agreement in place.

Q: Can students work after school and on weekends?
A: Yes.  If they are working for school credit, there must be a training agreement in place.  If not working for school credit, normal youth labor laws apply.
Michigan Youth Employment

Q: Are seasonal jobs allowed?
A: They are for students' attending the TECH Center program. It is not an option for work experiences direct from the local district.

Q: Can a student start their work experience or co-op before the training agreement is completed and signed?
A: No.  They must have a full schedule at their home school or TECH Center and continue to attend until the training agreement is completed and signed and the student has attended an orientation.  You will receive an e-mail from the Work-Based Learning secretary or coordinator when this is complete and the student is okay to begin work.

Q: Are students required to attend an orientation before they can begin their Work-Based Learning experience?
A: Yes.  The student will not be given permission to start their placement until they have attended an orientation.

During a Work-Based Learning Experience

Q: How is the student's attendance at the worksite tracked?
A: Students complete a timecard which is signed by the employer and uploaded into Google Classroom every two weeks.

Q: If a student is unable to attend their worksite, who do they need to contact?
A: If the student is part of a custom class they will need to contact the Work-Based Learning Coordinator and their employer.  Class Extension students need to contact their instructor and employer.  All other Work-Based Learning students need to contact their employer.

Q: If a student calls in sick to school are they allowed to report to their worksite?
A: No.  If a student is too sick to attend school they cannot report to their worksite.  See above to know who you need to notify of your absence.

Q: Do TECH Center students participating in Work-Based Learning need to report to the TECH Center?
A: Yes.  Students must attend the TECH Center one day a week and record the "back to class day" on their timecard.  

Q: Do students still report to their worksite if school is closed?
A: It depends.  If a student is in Work Experience, Co-op or Class Extension they are expected to report to their worksite as normal as long as the roads are safe for travel.  Custom Class and Less than Class Size students are not expected to report to their worksite if their home school is closed.  See the question above, "If a student is unable to attend their worksite, who do they need to contact?" to see who you need to notify in case of an absence.

Q: How will students know when the Work-Based Learning timecards are due?
A: During orientation students will be given a master calendar which shows the weeks that should be included on each timecard and when they are due.  Each timecard is also in Google Classroom and shows the due date.

Q: Where can students get more timecards if they run out?
A: Timecards are on the Work-Based Learning secretary's desk and they are also included with each assignment in Google Classroom and can be printed from there.

Q: Do late timecards affect the student's grade?
A: Yes.  Their grade can be negatively affected by late timecards. 

Q: What is the procedure for when students are late submitting their timecards?
A: Please read the late timecard procedure.

Q: What credits do I receive with a Work-Based Learning experience?
A: Work Experience and Custom Class students receive elective credits from their home district.  If a student is participating in CTE-related Co-op, Class Extension or Less than Class Size, they are eligible to receive CTE allowable credits.

Q: Can the student get credit as a co-op for a job they already have?
A: Yes, as long as it relates to the TECH Center program they are currently enrolled in.

Q: How will students be evaluated/graded for their work-based learning experience?
A: They will receive an evaluation by their employer/supervisor each month.  They are also evaluated by the LISD TECH Center each month.  The students are also graded on timely submission of timecards.

Q: What are students allowed to do at the job-site?
A: This is job and student dependent.  Students over the age of 18 do not have any restrictions.  Please see the Work-Based Learning Coordinator for students under 18 for job duty restrictions.

Q: What information do I need to provide to the Work-Based Learning Coordinator to host a Work-Based Learning student?
A: Complete background check paperwork and copy of current General Liability and Workman's Compensation Insurance paperwork.  You will also need to schedule a site-visit with the Work-Based Learning Coordinator.

Q: Will my business be visited by an LISD school representative?
A: Yes.  It is necessary for the Work-Based Learning Coordinator or program instructor to conduct an initial site-visit to ensure a safe work-environment prior to placement of a student.  Additionally, the student must be visited at least once every nine weeks to check on their progress.

Q: What paperwork will I be required to complete each month for my Work-Based Learning student?
A: The first week of each month you will be sent a monthly evaluation for the Work-Based Learning student.  The evaluation needs to be returned to the Work-Based Learning Coordinator by the 15th of each month.  This evaluation is used to determine the student's grade.  You will also be required to sign the student's bi-weekly timecards.

Q: Does the student need to be supervised at all times?
A: Yes, even if they are 18.

Q: Whose responsibility is it to complete timecards?
A: Students must complete and submit timecards to the employer for signature every two weeks.

Q: How often do I need to sign a timecard for the Work-Based Learning student?
A: Timecards are due every two weeks.  Please refer to the Master Calendar in your employer packet for timecard due dates.

Q: Do I need to pay the Work-Based Learning student?
A: Yes.  Most placements are paid and must follow Michigan Wage and Hour Law.

Q: What is the Work-Based Learning timecard process?
A: Please read the Employer Timecard Process Information sheet.

Q: Is the student able to report to their worksite if they call in sick to school?
A: No.  If a student is too sick to attend school they may not report to their worksite.

Q: Do students still attend their worksite if school is closed?
A: It depends.  Work Experience, Co-op & Class Extension students are expected to attend their worksite if the roads are safe enough for travel.  Custom Class and Less Than Class Size students are not expected to attend their worksite if their home school is closed.

Q: How do I apply?
A: Apply through the LISD TECH Center application by checking box titled "Custom Class-Veterinary Assistant" and complete application.

Q: What are the requirements I need to meet to be accepted into the program?
A: To be accepted into the screening process, students must have an overall GPA of 2.5 or better.  Steps in the screening process also include a review of the student's high school attendance records, a review of the student's access to daily transportation, a review of the student's GPA in science-related courses, and successful completion of a summer job shadow at an LISD selected worksite.

Q: What happens if there is not enough training sites identified for the number of students who apply?
A: Seniors will be given preference and juniors are welcome to apply their senior year.

Q: What will my Veterinary Assistant schedule look like?
A: You will attend the LISD TECH Center one day each week to be taught by an industry professional and attend your assigned site the other four days of the week for on-the-job instruction.

Q: How will I be evaluated and graded?
A: 75% of your grade will be determined by classroom homework, tests, and projects.  The remaining 25% will come from monthly site evaluations.

Q: Will I be getting paid for my time at the worksite?
A: No.  The time at the worksite is purely instructional in nature and therefore students are not paid.

Q: What credit will the student receive with a Work-Based Learning experience?
A: For students participating in Work Experience or a Custom Class, elective credits from the student's home district are awarded.  If a student is participating in CTE-related Co-op, Class Extension or Less than Class Size, they are eligible to receive CTE allowable credits.

Q: Does the student need to have a full schedule prior to the Work-Based Learning placement getting approved?
A: Yes.  Prior to the training agreement being signed and all other mandatory steps being completed to begin their placement, students must have a full schedule per Michigan Department of Education guidelines.

Q: What would cause the student to have their training agreement suspended?
A: Late timecards, failure to complete SafeSchools training modules, Work-Site Expectation form, and emergency form.  Upon suspension, students will be returned to their home district.

Q: What paperwork am I required to complete to begin a Work-Based Learning placement for my student?
A: Complete the Work-Based Learning Checklist provided by the Work-Based Learning Coordinator.

Q: Can you help students get a job or Work-Based Learning experience?
A: For work experience, students are responsible for getting their own job with the potential assistance of the LISD Job Board and Workforce Development Coordinator.