Continuous Intake Co-op (CIC)

Helping students at risk

get back into the swing of school

Brought to you by the Toronto District School Board
Why do students stop
attending school?
They dont see the relevance
They are continually unsuccessful
They have overwhelming personal problems
They have financial obligations
They dont relate to the other students
They have been removed from the school
roll for unacceptable behaviour
(and the list goes on)
How Does The CIC Program
Help Students?
Helps students catch up with credits
Helps students see the relevance of school
Helps students gain job search and work
experience
Helps students plan their future credits
Helps ease students back into school
Helps keep students in school who might
otherwise drop out
CIC isnt for everyone
Students may include:
Those struggling to succeed, who have lost self-
confidence and have stopped attending;
Those who have dropped out and would like to
return to school;
Those who dont fit in a regular classroom
setting;
Those who have gotten into trouble at school and
are not welcome back;
Those who may have to leave school for personal
or family reasons, who need to earn a salary.
The Models of CIC
Model 1: Central Program
Centrally-assigned teacher works with students from
across the Board, and holds classes at host schools
or other conveniently-located sites.
Students can join almost any day of the school year.
Students join a new home schools roll.
Students are referred by the home school.
Students may take four, three, two or one credit of
co-op.
Later in the year, students may remain on the home
schools roll in order to complete courses in which
they can still gain credits.
Model 2: School-Based Program
Some TDSB schools have started a CIC
Program for their own students. Referrals
are not taken from other schools.
Students can join almost any day of the
school year.
Students may be taking four, three, two or
one credit of Co-op.
Students may have supervision by a specified
staff member when in the school, but it may
not always be the Co-op teacher.
Model 3: School-Based Program
Student joins an existing co-op class part-
way through the semester or school year
Students can join almost any day of the
school year.
Students may be taking four, three two or
one-credit Co-op.
Students complete the pre-placement
program in a module-based curriculum and
are integrated into the regular classroom
setting for integration sessions.
Model 4: School-Based Model
In a non-semestered school, students who
have taken on timetables that are too
intensive for them join a dedicated CIC
class in the home school.
Students can join almost any day of the
school year.
Students may be taking part- or full-time co-
op programs upon entry.
Considerations for Paid Co-op
Paid Co-op can ONLY be offered in a specialized
program according to the Ministry of Education.
Jobs are entry-level only.
Students benefit from taking part in their job
searches, rather than being given a job by the
teacher.
Have students discuss paid Co-op in their job
interviews, and not beforehand.
Have an introductory letter for current employers and
a similar letter for potential employers.
In paid Co-op, the employer dictates the hours you
dont have a choice of schedule!
Using Students Current Jobs
Students must understand that their
employer must meet with the school boards
standards before being approved as a Co-op
placement.
Employers must understand what is expected
and agree to the requirements before
doubling as a placement. If all goes well,
they may take on more students in future!
The employer MUST pay 100% of the WSIB
insurance if a student is paid!

Scheduling Continuous Intake
Have the pre-placement and integration
course work set up as modules.
Students may be left on their own to
complete some of the curriculum modules.
Students who require supervision will need
to have plans made: Will another teacher
supervise? An employment centre? A Student
Success Leader?
Dont take on too many students! You
will need time to do enough
monitoring! (Remember: Three
monitoring visits per credit!)
Some students may have after-school
or evening jobs. Ensure that the
teacher is able to monitor at the times
the student is working, and that they
are available if there is an emergency
at work.
Continuous Curriculum
Have a choice of how students work on
assignments (typing, hard copy, emailing).
Create curriculum with less reading and
writing than regular Co-op, but that still
demonstrates the same learning.
If students have special learning needs,
ensure that teacher or adult support is
available.
Be aware that work may not be completed
without teacher support/supervision.
Credits
Depending on the date that a student enters
the program, establish how many credits it is
possible to earn right away. Base the plan on
110 hours per credit.
Students may earn one, two, three, or four
Co-op credits.
Students must have at least one school
credit for two-credit Co-op, and two credits
for three or four-credit Co-op.
If students are earning one credit, you may
let them choose which integration units they
would like to complete.
The Moral Calls
Some students may have criminal
records or court cases pending.
Secure suitable placements that
will not compromise the student,
the Co-op program, or the
relationship with the employer.
The Extra Things
Consider collecting (and ironing)
clothes suitable for work and job
interviews, so that you can give them
to students as required.
Consider having a prize box for
students who do good work or
complete a set number of assignments.
Consider purchasing hygiene kits for
students, containing deodorant, toothpaste,
breath freshener, etc.
Consider keeping food and drinks in the
classroom that students can consume free of
charge.
Consider keeping extra household items on
hand (such as alarm clocks, telephones, etc.)
for students who live on their own and who
may not have these items at home.
Keep a stock of transit tickets in your pocket
or purse, in case of emergencies. (There will
be many.)
If you have a classroom, dont set it up like a
traditional classroom. Keep it professional.
Who Should Teach CIC?
Teachers who are keen, and will do the
little extras that mean a lot;
Teachers who can practice tough love;
Teachers who will go out of their way to
meet the needs of students;
Teachers who can motivate at-risk students;
Teachers who are flexible enough to change
plans at the drop of a hat;
Teachers who are extremely organized.
Tips for Continuous Intake
Co-op Teachers
Be flexible! Emergencies happen, schedules
change, and you will be stood up!
Always be available by phone. A cell phone
and a laptop are must-have items!
Dont take things personally!
Be ready for (good and bad) surprises!
Stay positive! Stay organized! Stay on top of
your students progress!
Have certificates and awards that students
can add to their portfolios for good work!
Time Management Hints
Reserve your afternoons for 2-credit Co-op
students (classes and monitoring)
Reserve your mornings for 4-credit Co-op
students, student intake interviews,
paperwork, and phone calling
Evenings may also be cut into for
monitoring and follow-up with students,
parents, or employers
References to Employers
How is the students punctuality?

He isnt always punctual for school,
but I think that when he is engaged in
something hes interested in, his work
habits will improve.

Students Getting Fired
Tell students, This is the real world.
Employers pay you to do a job. If youre
fired, youre fired.
If a student is doing badly at work, dont
defend them with the employer. Patch
things with the employer.
Buy gifts of chocolate and stay on good
terms with the employer.
If a student is fired, teach resilience. What
are the lessons learned? How will she find a
new job? Make a plan together and help the
student to execute it!
For those who are
unsuccessful in CIC
If a student is unsuccessful or demitted from
your course, keep the door open!
Most students at risk accept failure far too
easily. If they are demitted, tell them that
they are welcome back if they can commit
to the program.
Follow up in the summer. Will advanced
standing get the student back to school in
September? If so, you might consider it!
Selling CIC to Employers
Never tell an employer that a student is at-
risk. They are NOT at risk at work!
Dont stigmatize the student at work!
If you have found the job for a student, you
might tell employers that the student may
not like school too much, but that they are
very keen to work.
Sell the program as an advantage to
employers. They are getting extra support
from the school board for their entry-level
employee.
Intake of Students
Referral THEN application students need
to buy in before being accepted.
Dont judge a book by its cover. The least
likely may be your best students!
Do a thorough interview, and ensure that
students understand the requirements.
Invite parents to attend the first part of the
interview.
Sell the program as a great opportunity
open to a limited number of students.
Organizing Tips for Teachers
Have all of your intake packages and
employer packages pre-made.
Track your student information carefully and
compile statistics.
Have tracking sheets for assignments and
employer visits for use by both you and the
students.
Give students units in chunks to avoid
having them lost, along with a CD that
includes everything for the semester.
Tips for Dealing with
At-Risk Students
Focus on building self-esteem
Focus on building portfolios
Create many opportunities for students to earn
certificates and awards, such as creating an
Ontario Skills Passport, a Passport to Safety, CPR
classes, certificates for good class work, etc.
If students tend to lose things, keep certificates
on file in the classroom all semester.
Make your certificates exciting with nice paper,
official seals, etc.
Anticipate the unexpected and plan ahead
Dont lower your standards; motivate
students to rise to challenges
The Student File
There are three files in my system:
student file (beige)
with a second student file inside for
confidential documents (yellow)
and a third file that is given to the
student (green) that contains
pamphlets, applications and curriculum
The initial student package:
Application
Course description
Transit map
Checklist of assignments
Teachers contact
information
Media Release Form
Calendar
Interview Form
Allergy/Illness Form
Education Planner
Introductory Letter to
Employers
Script for calling
employers
Co-op brochures
CD of curriculum
Maps to Youth
Employment Centres
WEA form
WSIB accident form
Five units from pre-
placement modules
Self-addressed fax cover
sheets
Harassment policy
CD
As a CIC teacher,
you are changing lives and
helping to put students back
on track every day!

Its a great program, and a
wonderful job!