Cardinal Leger Secondary School
Cooperative Education Department
Course Name:
Designing Your Future
Course Code:
GWL3O and Cooperative Education Subject Link
Ministry Guidelines: Guidance and Career Education
Level:
Open
Teacher:
T. Milazzo-Colle
Course Overview:
Cooperative education and work experience programs offer students another way of expanding their interests and
exploring their career options. Cooperative education is a planned learning experience in the community that
complements and enhances school courses and provides students with an opportunity to learn and to apply their
skills and knowledge in practical situations. Courses in various disciplines may be offered through the cooperative
education program, which can benefit all students, whatever their postsecondary destination.
A cooperative education course must be based on a related course (or courses) from an Ontario curriculum policy
document or on a ministry-approved locally developed course in which the student is enrolled or which he or she
has successfully completed. The cooperative education course and the related course (or courses) together
constitute a student’s cooperative education program, designed to suit the student’s strengths, interests, and
needs and to enhance the student’s preparation for the future.
Cooperative education courses include a classroom component, comprising pre-placement and integration
activities, and a placement component. Students earn cooperative education credits by integrating classroom
theory with planned learning experiences in the community to achieve learning based on the curriculum
expectations of the related course. Placements should provide students with challenging opportunities to apply and
extend the knowledge, and practise and refine the skills, acquired in the related course and to demonstrate
achievement of placement expectations that reflect current workplace practices and standards.
Cooperative education involves a partnership between education and business, industry, agriculture, labour, or
community organizations that includes students, teachers, parents, employers, and placement supervisors.
Curriculum Strands and Overall Expectations:
Fundamental and Personal Management Skills
This unit introduces the concept of an effective and comprehensive personal portfolio. Using the
Employability Skills 2000+ profile created by the Conference Board of Canada, students become aware
of the Employability Skills most valued by employers today. Portfolios are organized in the three
categories of Employability Skills: Fundamental Skills, Personal Management Skills and Team Work
Skills. This unit concentrates on Fundamental and Personal Management Skills
Interpersonal Knowledge and Teamwork
This unit focuses on the interpersonal and teamwork skills that contribute to success in all areas of one’s
life: postsecondary education and training, the world of work, personal relationships, and in the
community. Students have the opportunity to demonstrate how they will apply the skills learned in a
practicum setting.
Exploration of Opportunities
This unit provides opportunities for students to explore print, electronic and human resources effectively
to conduct research into various workplace and learning opportunities. They present findings in a
student-led career fair for peers and lower grades.
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Cardinal Leger Secondary School
Cooperative Education Department
Preparation for Transition and Change
Students reflect on the transitions and changes they may face in the future. Various strategies are
introduced to effectively prepare for change in their career/life plan. The students continue to develop
their Portfolios as they produce effective, up to date resumes and cover letters. Gaining practical
experience in job searching and interview skills.
Evaluation:
GWL30
Knowledge and Understanding
Thinking and Inquiry
Communication
Application
25
25
25
25
PLACEMENT COMPONENT (Subject Link)
K/U
T
C
A
• Pre-Placement
25
25
25
25
• Integration
20
30
30
20
• Placement
15
15
30
40*
25
25
25
25
The following weightings will be used at various stages of the program:
70% Term
30% Final
• Culminating Performance Task
The 30% final consists of a culminating performance task.
There is no paper and pencil exam.
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Cardinal Leger Secondary School
Cooperative Education Department
Learning Skills and Work Habits
Responsibility
Organization
Independent Work
Collaboration
Initiative
Self-Regulation
E= Excellent G=Good S=Satisfactory N= Needs Improvement
Fulfills responsibility and commitments.
Takes responsibility for and manages own behavior.
Devises and follows a plan and process for completing tasks.
Establishes priorities and manages time
Independently monitors, assesses, and revises plans to
complete tasks and meet goals.
Uses class time to complete tasks.
Accepts various roles and an equitable share of work in a group.
Builds healthy peer-to-peer relationships.
Looks for and acts on new ideas and opportunities.
Approaches new tasks with a positive attitude.
Sets own goals and monitors progress towards achieving them.
Seeks clarification or assistance when needed.
Missed/Late/Incomplete Assignments
It is the student’s responsibility to address missed, late, or incomplete assignments. Students are
expected to complete assignments and to adhere to assignment deadlines as follows:
Due Date
A due date is set by the
teacher.
10% Penalty Zone
1 school day late – 3%
2 school days late – 6%
3 school days late – 10%
Maximum penalty of 10%
Closure Date
Once the closure date has
passed, work is considered
incomplete and a mark of
zero applies.
Parent Signature: _______________________ Student Signature: ______________________
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