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Students pitch Co‑op education program to give juniors and seniors paid work experience and credit
Summary
Annapolis students proposed a cooperative education (Co‑op) program allowing upper‑class students to earn credit while working, with eligibility criteria (2.5 GPA, counselor recommendation), weekly hour reporting and employer verification; board asked for details on advising and transportation.
A student team presented a plan on March 5 for a cooperative education program that would let qualified juniors and seniors combine paid employment with high‑school credit.
Presenters Aruba noer and Taylor Gabriel said the Co‑op would allow students to leave campus for paid work consistent with their career and educational plans while earning academic credit. The students said stakeholders who previously participated reported reduced stress and career advancement: a former participant now works at a bank and another rose to shift leader while still in school.
The proposed requirements included a minimum 2.5 GPA, counselor recommendation, good attendance and a weekly sign‑in sheet co‑signed by employer and student to document the required hours for credit. The students suggested limiting employer locations to an 18‑mile radius to simplify advising and cited examples of other Michigan schools that run similar programs.
Trustees asked who would serve as co‑op advisor and how transportation would be handled; presenters said a staff member had offered to serve and emphasized that transportation responsibility would fall to students and parents. Administration noted prior state policy changes that had affected co‑op programs and said staff would check compliance and implementation requirements.
Board members expressed support for exploring the proposal further and asked administration to review state rules, advisor assignment and how credits would appear on report cards before any pilot program was recommended.
