Course Syllabus
Course Description
Work-Based Learning (WBL) is designed to help students make the transition from school to the world of work. It combines written portfolios, WBL
assignments, and on-the-job training with related classroom instruction to prepare young people for careers. The student is linked with a specific
business that offers skilled job training in the occupational cluster of his/ her choice. The student is encouraged to acquire post-high school advanced
training at a technical or four-year college
The WBL program includes:
 on-the-job training guided by a skilled work-site mentor,
 training based on competency standards developed by industry and labor
 student support through a work-site mentor, a school WBL facilitator, and a career development coordinator at the district level.
Admissions Policy
Junior or Senior; have an identified career pathway; at least 16 years of age; enrolled in a related pathway course or previously taken a pathway
course; reliable transportation; on track for graduation; teacher recommendations; and completed the application process. Disciplinary action and/or
excessive absences may result in a student not being admitted into the WBL program.
*The WBL/Internship Program is a one year commitment. Students may not drop out of the program during the school year*
Credit
One unit of credit for each release period.
WBL Coordinators
Debra Moore (South Forsyth HS) – debmoore@forsyth.k12.ga.us
Course Goals
 Increase student awareness of career planning
 Inform students of the increasing complex world of work
 Assist students in developing appropriate attitudes about work
 Provide students with a safe and educationally sound work environment, while insuring that student learners receive adequate compensation
for their efforts
 Provide the opportunity for learning useful employability skills on real jobs under actual working conditions
 Help students to recognize how they can prepare for and advance in the workplace
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Empower students to think critically and for themselves
Reinforce basic skills in communications and human relations
Provide a realistic environment in which the student may explore interests/abilities
Assist students in the development of good work habits, attitudes, appreciation and respect for work necessary for individual maturity and job
competence
Expose students to an additional learning situation for developing marketable skills
Assist students in fulfilling responsibilities at the training location and classroom responsibilities in an efficient manner
Require prompt completion and maintenance of all necessary forms/reports related to employment
Assist students in the development of appropriate dress, promptness, and courtesy in the workplace
WBL Standards
Click here to review the standards for WBL.
GeorgiaBEST Information/Standards
The key to Georgia’s economic future is a prepared workforce. Therefore, one of the fundamental goals of the Georgia Department of Labor’s
Workforce Solutions Team is to produce an emerging workforce that is prepared to face the challenges of a global marketplace. Employee
responsibility is often the missing link in the working arena. While most students are graduating from high school and preparing for the future with the
appropriate academic credentials, many still lack the soft skills and work ethic to succeed in today’s workforce. A survey of large, medium, and small
businesses shows that employers are having difficulty hiring people who possess adequate basic skills, thinking skills, working competencies, work
attitudes, and work habits. To address this gap and to give Georgia students an advantage moving into the workforce, the Department of Labor
created GeorgiaBEST which you will participate in this year through WBL. The training, modeled after the business world where employees are
assessed by their employers on performance, teaches ten areas of ethics and soft skills embedded into your WBL assignments. They include:
Appearance and Professional
Image
Oral & Written Business Communication
Skills
Attendance and Punctuality
Productivity & Academic Performance
Attitude & Respect
Responsibility & Organization
Social Media Ethics
Self-Management & Time- Management
Discipline & Character
Teamwork & Work Habits
WBL Grading
Monthly meetings during IF
Check Stubs/ Hours Documentation
WBL Assignments
Monthly Reflection
GeorgiaBEST Portfolio
Employability Skills Evaluations (4 - Completed by Employer)
Job Skills Evaluation (2 – Completed by Employer)
End of the Year Employer Appreciation Banquet
Summative:
Formative:
Grading Policy:
A = 90 – 100
B = 80 – 89
C = 70 – 79
Failing = Below 70
Quality Work
The assignments you will complete as a part of WBL demand quality. Please see the Quality Work Scoring Rubric posted under the WBL
Documentation Folder which applies to all written assignments. EXCEEDS PROFICIENCY to DEFICIENT reflects the range of excellence in the
written response to all assignments in WBL. The following broad categories define the range of skills for the writing assignments in the course as you
strive for outstanding work!
Submitting Assignments/Make-up Work
Each month the assignments should be submitted through itslearning in the box provided. I do not accept assignments sent via email unless otherwise
specified. Make up work is defined as work assigned during a student's absence, not work assigned prior to an absence. The student has five (5)
school days upon returning to school to complete make-up work. The teacher has the discretion to grant a longer period to make up work if there are
extenuating circumstances. All WBL assignments are available at the beginning of the year. Students may choose to work ahead. Three (3) points
per day will be deducted for late work.
Monthly Wage and Hour Reports must be turned in to Mrs. Moore by the 10th of each month, documenting the previous month’s working hours with pay stubs
attached. The student must work a minimum of 5 hours per week if dismissed for one period, 10 hours per week if dismissed for two periods, and 15 hours per
week if dismissed for three periods. Two points will be deducted for each hour the student is short the required work hour minimum. It is recommended that the
student work no more than 25 hours per week.
Finding and Maintaining a job
Upon entering the WBL program, the student is given a three week grace period to find an approved job. Mrs. Moore can assist with this. If at the end of the
period the student is not employed, he/she will be enrolled in a regular class. Each unemployed student is required to apply at one business location each day that
they are dismissed early from school. The name of the business where the student applied, location, and phone number must be turned in to Mrs. Moore. This
remains the same for students who may become unemployed throughout the school year.
If a student becomes unemployed during the school year for a reason beyond his/her control, the student will be required to remain at school throughout 7th period
and will complete WBL assignments. The student must obtain employment within a two week period or he/she will be placed in a regular class.
WBL Meetings
We will meet once monthly during IF to update WBL records. You may work on WBL assignments at this time. Attendance to WBL meetings counts
as a grade. Our first two IF meetings are listed below:
 Wednesday, September 4th
 Wednesday, October 2nd (juniors arrive after Balfour meeting)
Student Signature ______________________________________________
Parent Signature _______________________________________________
WBL Monthly Assignments
All assignments are to be electronically submitted except intake documents, wage and hour reports, and progress reports completed by your employer/manager.
There is a dropbox provided for each month in itslearning. The GeorgiaBEST Portfolio will be developed and saved using the electronic portfolio feature within
itslearning.
***WBL Assignments NOTE: 1 period of WBL = 1 assignment
August – Due Sept 5
 Updated Application Packet (Due August 15)
 Intake Documents and Other Requirements (Due August 15)
 Check Stubs/ Hours Documentation
 Electronic Picture of You at Job Site
 GeorgiaBEST Portfolio - Cover Page/ About Me
September – Due Oct 4
 Check Stubs/ Hours Documentation
 Employability Skills Evaluation
 WBL Assignments: Ethics and Professionalism
 Monthly Reflection
 GeorgiaBEST Portfolio - Letter of Introduction
October – Due Nov 5
 Check Stubs/ Hours Documentation
 WBL Assignments: Customer Service
 Monthly Reflection
 GeorgiaBEST Portfolio - Philosophy
November – Due Dec 5
 Check Stubs/ Hours Documentation
 Employability Skills Evaluation
 Job Skills Evaluation
 WBL Assignments: Communication Skills
 Monthly Reflection
 GeorgiaBEST Portfolio - Goals
December – Due Jan 8
 Check Stubs/ Hours Documentation
 WBL Assignments: Problem Solving and Critical Thinking
 Monthly Reflection
January – Due Feb 5
 Check Stubs/ Hours Documentation
 Employability Skills Evaluation
2 periods of WBL = 2 assignments
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3 periods of WBL = 3 assignments
WBL Assignments: Attitude and Networking
Monthly Reflection
GeorgiaBEST Portfolio - Employability Skills Development
Job Search Activity (Mandatory!)
o Cover Letter
o Resume
o Follow up/ Thank You
o Job Application
o Mock Interview Scheduled with WBL Coordinator
February – Due March 5
 Check Stubs/ Hours Documentation
 WBL Assignments: Leadership and Teamwork
 Monthly Reflection
 GeorgiaBEST Portfolio - 2-page paper that describes Job Shadowing
or Community Service Experience
March – Due April 8
 Check Stubs/ Hours Documentation
 Employability Skills Evaluation
 WBL Assignments: College and Career Readiness
 Monthly Reflection
 GeorgiaBEST Portfolio - Letter of Recommendation, Transcript,
Awards, Recognitions, & Memberships
April – Due May 5
 Check Stubs/ Hours Documentation
 Job Skills Evaluation
 WBL Assignments: Time Management
 Customize Thank You/ Follow up Letter to interviewer & turn in typed
letter to WBL Coordinator when complete
 Monthly Reflection
 GeorgiaBEST Portfolio - Electronic Copies of Reflection Assignments
organized by monthly topic and employability skills form obtained from
coordinator.
May – Due May 15
 Check Stubs/ Hours Documentation
 WBL Assignments: Workplace Effectiveness
 Thank-you Letter or Card to WBL Employer