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prescribed period of time, usually from one to four weeks. Cooperative education is a planned secondary school learning experience in the community that enhances secondary school credit courses and provides students with oppor- tunities to learn and to apply their knowledge and skills in practical situations. Credits are earned when the curriculum expectations have been met.
These planned learning experiences also help students with their annual education plan and career planning. Students become familiar with workplace practices and employer expectations, possible career opportunities, and concrete applications of their in-school studies. Work experience and cooperative education are of interest to all students, whether they plan to go on to work, college, or university after high school. For those students whose first destina- tion is the workplace, a cooperative education placement provides personal contact with employers. For those going on to college or uni- versity, cooperative education and work experi- ence help them make informed decisions about future educational and career choices.
WORKSHOPS, SEMINARS, AND SMALL GROUPS
The guidance and career education program should provide a variety of programs and serv- ices, including some that are not necessarily delivered through formal classroom instruction or individual assistance. Workshops, seminars, and small groups can provide timely assistance to students who share a common interest
(e.g., in a specific university or college program) or a common need (e.g., study skills). Topics could include summer-job search strategies, résumé writing, interview skills, conflict resolu- tion skills, learning strategies, assertiveness training, study skills, time management skills, leadership development, peer assistance, self- awareness and assessment activities, and spe- cific university and college programs and admis- sion requirements. These focused programs and services can be delivered in collaboration with school board and community partners and are designed to help students achieve the guidance and career education program goals.
MENTORSHIP PROGRAMS
Mentorship programs provide one-to-one sup- port and role models for students. Mentors are different from teacher-advisers, who monitor the academic programs of the students in their groups.
In partnership with school councils and commu- nity leaders, principals may wish to establish mentorship programs that involve community volunteers as mentors. Successful mentorship programs require mutual effort and commit- ment from the school and the community, the screening and selection of mentors, training and support for the mentors, a process for matching students and mentors in accordance with school board policies (notably board policies regarding volunteers), and a process for involving parents in supporting the program and consenting to their children’s participation.
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CHOICES INTO ACTION