Page 14 - THE ONTARIO CURRICULUM, GRADES 11 AND 12 | Cooperative Education

THE ONTARIO CURRICULUM, GRADES 11 AND 12 | Cooperative Education
The role of community partners is important in all aspects of education, especially with respect to experiential learning. However, placement employers and supervisors in the community are particularly important in cooperative education because of their central role in supporting student learning in the cooperative education program.
In addition to roles and responsibilities that are specific to cooperative education, students, parents, teachers, and principals all have general responsibilities that support learning across the Ontario education system. These general responsibilities are outlined after the discussion of the role of community partners.
Community Partners, Including Placement Employers and Supervisors Strong community partnerships are essential to providing students with rich, relevant cooperative education experiences. Such partnerships support schools in promoting student engagement, enhancing achievement, and fostering well-being. Relationships with educational institutions, businesses, trades and industry associations, entrepreneurial and innovation hubs, and other community and cultural organizations provide valuable support and enrichment for student learning. These organizations provide expertise, skills, materials, and programs that are not available through the school or that supplement those that are. Partnerships with such organizations benefit not only the students but also the life of the community.
Cooperative education, in particular, is made possible through the support of placement employers and supervisors. In cooperative education, the placement employer and supervisor play an important role in guiding and supporting students in their learning by providing a safe working and learning environment, timely feedback, and challenging learning experiences. In doing so, the employer and supervisor enable students to pursue their interests, and they provide inspiration to students as they develop their education and career/life goals.
Students
Students’ responsibilities with respect to their own learning develop gradually and increase over time as they progress through elementary and secondary school. With appropriate instruction and with experience, students come to see how an applied effort can enhance learning and improve achievement and well-being. As they mature and as they develop the ability to persist, to manage their behaviour and impulses, to take responsible risks, and to listen with understanding, students become better able to take more responsibility for their learning and progress. There are some students, however, who are less able to take full responsibility for their learning because of unique challenges they face. The attention, patience, and encouragement of teachers can be extremely important to the success of these students. Learning to take responsibility for their achievement and improvement is an important part of every student’s education, regardless of their circumstances.
Mastering the skills and concepts connected with learning in the cooperative education curriculum requires ongoing practice, an effort to respond to feedback (to the extent possible), personal reflection, and commitment from students. It also requires a willingness to try new activities, work with placement employers and supervisors and with peers,
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