WAC 180-50-315 Equivalency cour se of study � Credit for wo rk based learning
School districts may accept work based learning in lieu of either required or elective high school
credits if such work based learning meets the standards under subsections (1) through (5) of this
section. Schools and school districts are strongly encouraged to review the non-binding work
based learning guidelines on the website of the superintendent of public in struction in their
consideration of making this credit option available to students.
(1) The work based learning experience shall be connected to the e ducation plan of the
student;
(a) The education plan shall involve one or mo re of the state learning goals and related
essential academi c learning requirements;
(b) Counseling and guidance services, particularly career guidance, sh all be available to
students seeking work based learning experience;
(c) The education plan should relate to a specific career and/or educational pathway
chosen by the student;
(d) The education plan should extend at least one year beyond high school graduation;
(2) The student shall be placed in a worksite that is appropr iate to the previous learning
experience and educational goals of the student, and shall be formalized through a work based
learning agreem ent and work based learning plan;
(a) The work based learning plan shall arti culate the connection between the education
plan of the student and the wo rk based learning experience;
(b) The work based learning plan shall articulate clear, m easurable learning objectives;
(c) Evaluation of learning pr ogress related to the work based learning plan shall occur
during the work based learning experience;
(i) Learning objectives sh all be evaluated and updated on a regular basis as outlined in
the work based learning agreement;
(ii) Documentation of progress shall be on f ile in the district as outlined in the work
based learning agreement;
(3) The work based learning experience shall be supervised by the school. A work based
learning coordinator shall be iden tified in accordance with WAC 180-77-068 and shall be
responsible for:
(a) Aligning the work based learning experience to the educa tion plan of the student;
(b) Identifying and developing work based learning sites, establishing work based
learning agreements and work ba sed learning plans, orienting and coordinating with a worksite
supervisor on the work based learning site, and assessing and repor ting student progress;
(c) Ensuring that a worksite supervisor:
(i) Has received an orientat ion on the work based learning program of the school prior to
placem ent of the student on the worksite;
(ii) Has provided the student with a new-employee orientation upon placeme nt;
(d) Applying legal requirements of the em ployment of minor s in accordance with WAC
296-125 and WAC 296-131, particularly on issues of occupational health and safety,
discrimination, harassm ent, worker/employer right s and responsibilities, and work rules for
minors.
(4) One credit ma y be granted for no less th an one hundred eighty hours for instructional
work based learning experience, and not less than three hundred sixty hours of cooperative work
based learning experience, or one credit may be granted on a comp etency basis as provided
under WAC 180-51-050(1)(b).
(a) A student participating in an instru ctional work based learning experience shall
receive instruction superv ised by the school;
(i) Instruction shall be provided by an instructor with a teaching cer tificate related to the
subject area credit awarded the student for the work based learning experience;
(ii) The work based learning experience shall be an embedded com ponent of the
instructional program appropriate to the subject area credit awarded the st udent for the work
based learning experience;
(b) A student participating in a cooperative work based learni ng experience shall be
legally employed and shall not be less than sixteen years old;
(i) The cooperative work based learning expe rience shall be supervised either by a work
based learning coordinator or an in structor with a teaching certificate rela ted to the subject area
credit awarded the st udent for the work based learning experience;
(ii) The coop erative work based learning experience shall be a direct extension of
a
course related to the work based learning experience and taken either conc urrently with the work
based learning experience or taken in a school term prior to the work based learning experience;
(5) Definitions.
(a) �Work based learning� m eans a learni ng experience that connects knowledge and
skills obtained in the classroom to those needed outside the classroom, and comprises a range of
activities and instructiona l strategies designed to assist students in developing or fulfilling their
education plans;
(b) �Work based learning agreem ent� means a contract that specifies the terms and
conditions under which the work based learning e xperience shall occur. It is agreed to and
signed by a school district desi gnee, a worksite supervisor, student, and the student�s
parents/guardian;
(c) �Worksite supervisor� m eans an adult employee or volunteer of the worksite
responsible for overseeing the wo rk based learning experience and acting as liaison between the
worksite and school district;
(d) �Orientation� m eans a meeting conduc ted by a work based learning coordinator
giving inform ation to a worksite supervisor about the work based learning program of the school.
The orientation clarifies program objectives, es tablishes support system s, and delineates the
responsibilities and rights of the various parties�school/distr ict, worksite, students, and
parents/guardian;
(e) �New employee orientation� means an orientation program for th e student facilitated
by a worksite supervisor or designee (e.g., human resources) that identifies worksite safety
procedures and practices, workers� rights and responsibilities, issues related to harassment, and
em ployer policies, procedures and expectations. The orientation shall also include a description
of the formal accident preven tion program of the worksite;
(f) �Instructional work based learning� mean s a work based learning experience in which
no appreciable benefit is rendered to the worksite by the presence of the mi nor student, in
accordan ce with WAC 296-124-043;
(g) �Cooperative work based learning� means a work based learning experience in which
an employer/em ployee relationship exists � the wo rk performe d by the student results in a net
increase in productivity or profitability for the business or organization.