Implementation of Cooperative Education Programs.

Overview & Synopsis

This report is addressed principally to college personnel who may have direct program responsibilities or who may otherwise have an impact upon the development of cooperative education. The aim of this report is twofold: first, to describe the research undertaken by the staff of Northeastern University Cooperative Education Research Center concerning the planning, implementation, and operation of cooperative education programs; and second, based upon the findings of that research to offer advice about the initiation and operation of a cooperative education program. The document is organized into six chapters followed by appendixes A through E. Chapter one is the introduction to the research, which includes the background and objectives of the research. Chapter two is the research plan and design, which describes the instruments, a research sample, procedures, and treatment of data. Chapter three is a taxonomy of cooperative education programs. Chapter four discusses perceptions of cooperative education by students, faculty, and administration. Chapter five outlines the elements of program implementation (included is a list of criteria for successful implementation), and discusses the correlates of program stability. Chapter six organizes conclusions and implications under four subheadings: (1) the decision to initiate a cooperative education program; (2) the planning and implementation of cooperative education; (3) special considerations and issues of cooperative education program planning and implementation; and (4) the vital cooperative education program. Appendixes include an objectives matrix, guidelines for administrator and faculty interviews, a student questionnaire, and interview guidelines for cooperative education student samples. (DMT)