Instructional Programs and Materials AP 216: Off-Campus Education Programs

Background

As part of its ongoing commitment to deliver instructional programs to meet diverse student learning needs, the Division is committed to providing opportunities for junior and senior high school students to enhance their knowledge, skills and attitudes in real life contexts. Through Off-Campus learning experiences, students gain practical life skills and create effective bridges for future career opportunities.

The Division’s Off-Campus Education program provides real-life contexts in which junior and senior high school students apply knowledge, skills and attitudes acquired through course work and hands on experience. This program, developed in partnership with students, schools and community groups (i.e., business, industry, volunteer and other agencies) allows students to explore and expand their career interests and aptitudes in meaningful activities, situated in community-based work stations, work sites and volunteer agencies. In addition, Off-Campus programs support students in developing the knowledge and skills required to successfully pursue careers through recognized work experience as well as to make the transition from school to work or from school to a post-secondary institution successfully.

For the purpose of Off-Campus Education programs, schools and students will engage in partnerships with employers who adhere to the vision statements of the Division.

Definitions

In the context of the Off-Campus Education programs offered by the Division the following definitions shall apply:

Local Supervision The assignment of a certificated teacher to provide face-to-face support and assistance, for each student engaged in Off-Campus Education

Off-Campus Education Work study, work experience programs, registered apprenticeship programs, green certificate programs and cooperative education programs.

Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP)
Experiential learning undertaken by a senior high school student:
(1) As an integral part of a planned school program;
(2) Which is under the cooperative supervision of a teacher-coordinator and the employer;
(3) Where a student is a registered apprentice;
(4) Where the program meets the statutes and regulations relating to apprenticeship training; and
(5) Which constitutes a separate course based on 25 hours per credit.

Work Experience
Off-Campus experiential learning undertaken by a senior high school student:
(1) As an integral part of a planned school program;
(2) Which is under the cooperative supervision of a teacher-coordinator and the employer;
(3) Which constitutes a separate course based on 25 hours per credit; and
(4) Which in the context of Work Experience in the Canadian Forces, constitutes a program plan and time-frame agreed to by the school, the student, the parent and the Canadian Forces.

Work Study
Off-Campus experiential learning integrated with a course undertaken by a junior or senior high school student:
(1) As an integral part of the curriculum of a provincially approved school course or program, e.g. English 30, Integrated Occupational Program, etc.
(2) Which is under the cooperative supervision of a teacher-coordinator and the employer.
(3) Where no additional credit is given.
(4) Which is part of community partnership (off-campus, job-shadowing, apprenticeship) activities engaged in by students.

Procedures

1. The Division shall be compliant with Alberta Education’s requirements and shall ensure that the appropriate Board motion and Division administrative procedures are in place.
2. Students in Off-Campus programs shall be under the supervision of a certificated teacher as specified in the Alberta Education requirements. Furthermore, the Division may enter into agreements with a person in business, industry or an agency to provide a workplace for students who are participating in an Off-Campus Education program.
3. When a student wishes to participate in an Off-Campus Education program, the Division will obtain the consent of the student’s parents/guardians if the student is younger than 18 years of age. Work experience constitutes a separate course based on 25 hours per credit under the supervision of a teacher/coordinator and the employer.
4. As a component of a student’s program leading to a Certificate of Achievement or high school diploma, the Division shall offer a maximum of 40 credits in the sequence of courses from among those listed in the Guide to Education, ECS to Grade 12 and shall file the names of students enrolled on the Registered Apprenticeship Program Student Placements form with the Director of the Curriculum Branch, Alberta Education.
5. The Division shall ensure that course content is followed and that the instructional practice and evaluation for all off-campus courses includes:
   1. Work experience courses
   2. Work study components of core and optional courses
   3. Career Internship 10 Course
   4. Registered apprenticeship program courses
   5. Green Certificate Training Program
6. Off-Campus Education courses approved by the Division shall specify learner outcomes for each student and shall ensure student eligibility to obtain credit if the employer terminates the Off-Campus component of the program.
7. Off-Campus Education shall be supervised by a certificated teacher, who shall:
   1. Monitor to ensure that the curriculum is followed and a plan of instruction is in place
   2. Ensure that student, teacher and program evaluation practices are in accordance with Administrative Procedure 360 – Student Assessment, Education and Reporting.
   3. Ensure that safety provisions as indicated in section 14 of this Administrative Procedure are met
   4. Ensure that the Division’s owned equipment is properly accounted for and maintained
   5. Assess student performance
   6. Monitor student attendance in partnership with the employer
   7. Monitor student-employer relations and student behaviour
   8. Monitor work site-community student behaviour
   9. Ensure a positive learning environment
   10. Ensure appropriate records are kept
8. The Division shall approve all work stations and work sites and will ensure that in the case of the Registered Apprenticeship Program, all work stations and work sites are approved by the local office of the Apprenticeship and Industry Training Division of Alberta Education prior to commencing any new programs. The local office of the Apprenticeship and Industry Training Division shall approve the Registered Apprenticeship Program.
9. A parent/guardian, employer and a student shall be informed by the Division that a student in Off-Campus Education is deemed to be an employee of the Government of Alberta, and in the event of an accident is covered by Workers’ Compensation and, therefore, is unable to sue the employer.
10. The Off-Campus Education programs offered by the Division:
    1. May include all or any component of the educational programs as listed in the Guide to Education: ECS to Grade 12; and as referenced under Community Partnership in the Guide to Education: ECS to Grade 12
    2. Shall meet the requirements as set out in the Guide to Education: ECS to Grade 12 as well as in the programs of study for junior and senior high schools
    3. Shall provide course content based on approved curriculum and the daily programming developed cooperatively by the supervising teacher-coordinator and the on-site instructor
11. Off-Campus Education for both junior and senior high school students shall take place between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m., Monday through Sunday.
12. The Division shall evaluate each new Off-Campus education course during the first year and shall conduct periodic reviews thereafter. The Head of the Education Department shall keep on file a report of the completed program evaluations.
13. Where required by related legislation and regulations, the on-site instructor shall hold a valid Alberta Journeyman Certificate or equivalent status in the trade or technology. An on-site instructor without a valid Alberta Teacher Certificate is permitted, provided the program is:
    1. Supervised by a certificated teacher present at each Off-Campus site as deemed necessary by the Division. (Note: Depending on the number of students at the site, and whether or not it is a new or continuing program, the amount of supervision may need to be adjusted by the school to meet school/Division standards)
    2. Consistent with provincial education policy and procedures
14. The on-site instructor shall be designated as the person who has primary responsibility for the students’ health and safety while they are at the work station or work site. In developing and maintaining the Off-Campus Education program, the Division shall ensure that at each work station or work site:
    1. There is space provided for the number of students enrolled
    2. The work station or work site is annually approved prior to the placement of a student
    3. Facilities and equipment available make it possible to achieve the objectives of the program
    4. Equipment used by students meet Canadian Standards Association standards or an equivalent industry standard
    5. Applicable federal, provincial and municipal legislation is followed including the Employment Standards Code, the Labour Relations Code (Alberta), the Occupational Health and Safety Act and related regulations including Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System and local and provincial health, safety and building standards; as well as the applicable sections of the Youth Criminal Justice Act, the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy (FOIP) Act and the Student Record Regulation
    6. The student does not replace the regular worker except in the case of the Registered Apprenticeship Program
    7. There are a variety of appropriate learning experiences offered that relate to the curriculum
    8. Adequate supervision is provided, 1 visit per 25 hours
15. In offering Off-Campus Education programs, the Division shall comply with applicable federal, provincial and municipal legislation as outlined in Alberta Education’s requirements.