Practicum Program Guidelines
In order for this experience to be effective and beneficial to the student, meet the high school accreditation requirements of the state agency, and comply with federal guidelines, the following rules will be enforced. It is each student’s responsibility to read, become familiar with, and follow the rules and standards in this handbook.
To participate in a CTE Practicum program:
1. Students must be a senior in high school.
2. Enroll in Practicum course for one full academic year.
The following guidelines govern the practicum program:
- It is each student’s responsibility to secure a practicum training station.
- All training stations must be approved by the teacher/practicum supervisor.
- Students must provide their own reliable transportation to and from the training station. In the past, students have had problems relying on parents or friends to drive them to and from the job. If this causes a conflict with your employment, your grade will suffer. Be sure to have reliable transportation.
- Students are not permitted to change training stations without the teacher/practicum supervisor’s approval. A job change request form should be submitted to the teacher/practicum supervisor for consideration. Since practicum is a training program, students are expected to stay in the same training station in which they have been placed.
- Any student who quits a job at an approved training station without prior written approval of the teacher/practicum supervisor will receive a grade of a 0 for the work portion of the six-week grading period.
- Any student who resigns from a job with the teacher/practicum supervisor’s approval or is terminated unjustifiably will be given two weeks, to secure another approved training station. During this two-week period, the student must complete an Employer Contact Verification form.
- Disruptive behavior, poor work habits, or poor attitude in the classroom may result in immediate dismissal from the program
- Dismissal from a training station for insubordination, refusal to work, poor work habits, or poor attitude on the job will result in: a. A grade of 0 for the work portion of the six-week grading period and removal from the program. b. A discipline referral to the assigned assistant principal for failure to comply with assigned rules.
- If a student is fired from the job for dishonesty, theft, or immoral conduct, the following consequences will occur:
- A grade of 0 for the work portion of the six-week grading period.
- Removal from program.
- Students dismissed from a training station must notify the teacher/practicum supervisor no later than the class period following the dismissal notification.
- If the student misses school for any reason, the student must call or email the teacher/practicum supervisor with explanation for absence by 10 AM. Students must leave a message if the teacher/practicum supervisor is not available.
- On the day that a student is absent from any class (excluding school approved trips), the student is not allowed to report to work. The only exception is when a student has a documented doctor or dentist appointment, court appearance, funeral, etc. approved in advance by the teacher/practicum supervisor.
- Students unable to work temporarily because of medical reasons, documented by a doctor’s note, will be assigned alternate class work. If you are feeling sick at school, you must report to the nurse in order to be excused from your practicum. Students on homebound instruction are not eligible to receive CTE contact hours.
- Grades will be based on: ● training sponsor evaluations ● weekly training reports ● dependability ● classwork and other assignments
- Students should dress in an acceptable manner both in school and at the training station. Students must also uphold business policies and standards in conduct and personal hygiene.
- All Wimberley ISD policies concerning student’s behavior will be enforced while students are attending program functions.
- Parents are encouraged to communicate with the teacher/practicum supervisor concerning problems encountered by the student at the training station rather than talking directly with the employer.
- All CTE practicum students are required to work at their training station until the last day of school to receive credit for the course.
- A student who is dropped from a CTE Practicum program cannot be enrolled in another CTE Practicum program that same school year.
- Students should have a professional attitude and be loyal to their employer.
- Students must work an average of 10 hours per week for 2 credits. Students are required to work during their scheduled practicum times.
- On altered schedule days, students are required to make arrangements in advance with their training stations to accommodate the altered school schedule.
- A no call/no show to your practicum will be considered truancy, resulting in ISS.
- Students assigned to ISS will remain in ISS until the end of the school day; they will not be excused for work.
- Upon arriving at your training station, you must clock in using your QR code. Failure to do so will result in an unexcused absence for those class periods.
- Separate your work life from your personal life. While at work, don’t gossip or complain. When at work, be productive. If you are not productive, your employer loses and you will be replaced. You were hired because they need someone who they can count on to work.
- After you clock in at your training station, there should be no cell phone use. Be professional.