Cooperative Education: A Review. Information Series No. 116.

Overview & Synopsis

A literature review of cooperative vocational education programs at the secondary and postsecondary levels is presented in this information analysis paper. Two different approaches to cooperative education are identified: (1) the capstone approach, in which the student receives one or more years of in-school vocational training prior to the cooperative experience in specialty areas, and (2) the diversified occupations approach, in which much of the vocational training is done on the job, with little or no formal in-school instruction prior to cooperative experience. Other topics discussed include the following: world of work and career decision making; cooperative education and the special needs student; cooperative education in higher education; adult education (cooperative distributive education for disadvantaged young adults, preretirement programs); cost-benefits; and concerns and problems of cooperative education. Summaries suggest that (1) instructional modes will vary according to expected objective, (2) the world of work involvement provides a sound base for aiding students in making realistic career decisions, (3) cooperative vocational education coordinators should have adequate skills and knowledges in dealing with special needs people to insure maximum success, (4) cooperative programs in adult education will be emerging at a greater rate as the lifelong learning concept is accepted by more adults, and (5) the benefits of cooperative education outweigh its cost. (TA)