"Work Experience programs are on-the-job experiences, either paid or unpaid, which provide a student with the concrete, hands-on experience of working. Work experiences are not intended to teach specific job entry skills, but should be designed to give students the "experience" of working." --from the Michigan Association of Work Study Coordinators and Oakland County Association of Special Services Vocational Consultants.

The Board of Education recognizes the value of providing students with work experiences as part of their preparation for productive employment and appreciates the cooperation of local employers in accommodating such training activities in their places of business.

The Board policy authorizes the Superintendent to develop work experience programs as part of their school-to-work transition. S/He shall develop administrative guidelines whereby unpaid work experience programs are reviewed to determine whether or not an employer relationship has been established according to criteria established by the Supreme Court in adjudicating cases related to the Fair Labor Standards Act. Particular attention should be paid to community-based programs for special education students in which students are producing goods or services for sale and the District is the recipient of the income therefrom. Administrative guidelines shall also be developed for paid work experience programs which are recognized as being an employer/employee relationship.

Prepared work experience will be guaranteed one (1) hour of high school credit for every one (1) hour of work experience activities.

29 USC 201-219

Adopted 7/20/92
Revised 12/16/96