SCHOOL TO WORK PROGRAMS

A.    Supervised Cooperative Education Program (Co-op)
        The Cooperative Education Program is a collaborative effort by school, 
        business and industry for the training of apprentices and learners. Students, who 
        meet the requirements of the basic trade and technical training, attitudes, and 
        good work habits, are recommended for on-the-job training.
        Cooperative Education personnel are responsible for coordinating 
        placement, paperwork, on-site visitations and evaluations.
        The students are paid at least the prevailing minimum wage for the time on 
        the job. The students spend half of the day at the sending school for academic 
        subjects and the other half of the day on the job. The student must work a 
        minimum of 15 hours a week to qualify as a Cooperative Education Student and 
        receive credit to meet graduation requirements.  Most co-op students continue 
        to work for the same employers upon graduation, which is indicative of a positive
        business/education partnership.

B.     PACT (Partners in Accelerated Career Training)
        The PACT program is a four-year program open to students in the 11th grade. 
        It is a program designed to provide students with an education in their career 
        focus. It combines technical skills being taught at the school and work site. 
        Students are required to be enrolled in a Tech Prep curriculum at the home 
        school. The program provides a smooth transition into an Associate Degree 
        Program and mid-level job entry skills. For more information see a guidance 
        counselor or a School-to-Work Coordinator.

GRADING POLICY

PURPOSE

The intent of the grading procedure is to provide a numerical grade that accurately reflects
the student's proficiency in a given marking period. The quarterly grades include completed 
competencies, theory, and work attitudes and habits. Students are compared to established criteria 
rather than to each other.

COMPUTATION OF QUARTERLY GRADES - PROCEDURES

When computing quarterly grades, three (3) major areas will be considered. They are theory, 
skill development and attitude. A breakdown of sample criteria under each main heading follows 
below:

THEORY/KNOWLEDGE

Tests will be the main factor when calculating the theory grade. This portion of the grade will 
include:

- Written tests and quizzes
- Oral tests and quizzes
- Written/oral reports
- Homework assignments
- Practical application of theoretical knowledge
- Understanding of safety practices

SKILL/COMPETENCY

This portion of the grade will be determined by the number of completed competencies/tasks 
as per the training agreement between the student and the instructor, which is based upon the 
student's career objective. These competencies will be determined by task number and title identified 
in the PAL booklet.

Areas involved in determining successful completion of a competency/task are:

- Demonstration of safety practices
- Projects
- Basic skills competencies
- Procedures
- Operation of equipment
- Experiments

WORK ATTITUDES AND HABITS

This portion of the grade will be determined by the willingness of the student to adhere to 
school and industry standards and accounts for 20% of the grade in every program. Factors in 
determining the appropriate attitudes and habits are:

- Promptness
- Shop dress
- Ability to follow directions
- Peer relationships (ability to get along with others)
- Safety
- Attendance
- Demonstration of interest and initiative
- Student notebook
- Shop cleanup

GRADING SYSTEM

The Berks Career and Technology Center will issue its own report card quarterly. All grades 
will be numerical, and they will be provided to the sending schools. Comments are provided on the 
report card for the sake of further clarification. The grading system will be as follows:

90 - 100 (A) 0 - 59 (F)
80 - 89 (B) M  - Medical
70 - 79 (C) W - Withdrawal
60 - 69 (D)  I * - Incomplete 

* It is the responsibility of a student, who has been absent or suspended, to discuss the work to 
be made up with his/her instructor, as soon as he/she returns to school. Don't expect the instructor to 
come to you to discuss this work. 

There will be NO make-up work for unexcused/illegal absences.

Make-up for missed work will be as follows:

All work missed through unexcused absences will be graded as a zero. Incompletes will be 
issued if the student has not had the opportunity to make up work missed during the last two 
(2) weeks of a report period.

A grade of 45 will be the lowest grade that can be earned by a first year student, regardless of 
grade level, for the first two report periods of the student's enrollment. Thereafter, and for the 
remainder of the student enrollment, the grading system range from zero (0) to 100%.

UNEXCUSED ABSENCES

For each unexcused absence two (2) points are deducted from the attitude component of the 
quarter grade. Overall attendance patterns may also be reflected in the attitude component of the 
quarter grade. Three (3) unexcused absences per report period will result in a failing grade of 59-E, or 
the actual grade earned if less than 59. Students may not accumulate 12 unexcused absences per year, 
or credit for the year will be lost.

STUDENT PROGRESS REPORT

Students are evaluated quarterly by their instructors for the purpose of keeping their parents 
and home schools informed about their educational progress. Instructors explain to their students
the particulars of the grading policy as it relates to their areas of instruction, i.e., the end of quarter 
value of theory and skill development is different from one area of instruction to another. 
During the course of a report period progress reports will be sent home to parents to indicate 
concern about progress or attendance. Progress reports may also be used to indicate how extremely 
well a student is doing. An accumulation of poor progress reports, followed by continual grade 
failure, are reasons for sending schools to terminate student enrollment at the Berks Career and 
Technology Center.


STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS

VOCATIONAL INDUSTRIAL CLUBS OF AMERICA (VICA)

VICA is the organization for trade, industrial, technical and health occupations students. 
There are nearly 300,000 members nationwide. VICA offers leadership, citizenship and character 
development programs and activities to complement student skill training. Our programs help 
students to better prepare themselves for the labor market. VICA emphasizes respect for the dignity 
of work, high standards and trade ethics, workmanship, scholarship and safety, as well as a 
partnership with business. It also serves as the student government, since each shop is represented.
Students are motivated to learn and excel through chapter activities, which are integral to their 
curriculum. VICA members work together to improve school, workplace and community. The 
National Leadership Conference and the VICA United States Skill Olympics give members an 
opportunity to compete for recognition and achievement awards in their chosen occupational skills. 
More than 200 corporations, labor organizations, trade associations and related businesses support 
VICA. VICA has chartered 52 state associations, including Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and 
Canada. There are 13,000 local VICA chapters in the nation's high schools, area vocational centers, 
post-secondary schools and junior and community colleges.

HEALTH OCCUPATIONS STUDENTS OF AMERICA (HOSA)

HOSA is the most recently established vocational youth organization. Created in 1976, it has 
20,000 student members and 427 chapters in 19 states. Designed to serve students enrolled in 
secondary school health occupation courses, activities are directed to the instructional program. 
Emphasis is placed on individual and group leadership skills and development rather than on 
competitive skills contests. HOSA sees itself as a national student organization that combines 
responsibility with the development of occupational competence.

HOME ECONOMICS RELATED OCCUPATIONS (HERO)

The main emphasis of the HERO chapter is on development of leadership through
participation in a vocational student organization concerned with knowledge and skills. The overall 
goal of FHA/HERO chapters is to help youth assume their roles in society through home economics
education in areas of personal growth, family life, vocational preparation and community involvement.


PERSONAL TRANSPORTATION 

The following are strictly forbidden regarding the use of personal transportation and are 
categorized as follows:

a.     Unauthorized use of any transportation other than a school provided vehicle to/from 
        an instructional campus. This includes, but is not limited to, the use of bicycles or 
        motorized cycles of any kind.
b.     Transporting unauthorized passengers to/from the instructional campus. Both driver 
        and passenger(s) will be in violation.
c.     Failure to park in a designated area
d.     Unsafe driving behavior to/from the instructional campus, or when on the
        instructional campus's property.
e.     Loitering on the campus parking lot after arrival. Students arriving earlier than their 
        class starting time must report immediately to the cafeteria.
f.      Walking to/from the vocational campus without proper authorization.
g.     Drivers and riders may not leave before the specified dismissal time without prior 
        written permission from the building administration.
h.     Transporting illegal or unauthorized objects, materials or substances 

STUDENT DRIVING/RIDING

Due to safety and liability concerns, student driving and riding is not encouraged, and only a 
limited number of reasons will be considered when issuing driving/riding permits. Only students in 
good standing, as evidenced by their instructor's signature on the permission forms, may continue to 
obtain the remainder of the signatures, necessary for final approval. Cooperative education students, 
who must report to school two days a month, are also permitted to drive on those designated days. A 
driving permit is required any time a student drives to school. No passengers are allowed unless by 
special permission. Violations of the driving/riding policy will be dealt with as follows:

1.     Driving Without Permission; the first violation will result in a Fine of $25.00; the 
        second or subsequent violation will result in a Fine of $50.00 plus the vehicle will 
        be towed at the owner's expense.
2.     A driver with permission who transports an unauthorized rider; the first violation 
        will result in loss of driving privileges for 30 days; the second violation will result 
        in loss of driving privileges for the balance of the school year.
3.     Riding without permission; the first violation will result in parental notification; the 
        second or subsequent violation will result in a insubordination infraction and a 
        suspension of at least one day.

Driving permit applications must be signed as required, and the application returned to the main 
office. A nominal fee is charged for parking stickers, which must be displayed while parking on 
school property. All students park in designated areas only. Unauthorized vehicles will be towed 
away at the owner's expense.

Any infractions may result in up to a Category "C" offense, and may result in 
driving/riding privileges being suspended or lost for the remainder of the school year, a fine 
and the towing (at student's expense) of the vehicle in question.

TEMPORARY DRIVING PERMIT

Students, who want to bring a vehicle to be repaired in one of the auto shops, must first get 
permission from the automotive instructor, who will supervise the work, the sending school principal, 
and the building supervisor at their campus. The permit will be valid only for the time indicated by the 
automotive instructor up to a maximum of three (3) days.

PARKING LOTS

All Berks Career and Technology Center students are provided with school transportation. 
Therefore, it is not required for any student to drive to either campus. If a student is granted a driving 
permit, he/she must understand that given "reasonable cause for suspicion," the vehicle may be 
searched while on school property for dangerous or illegal items that could pose a threat to the 
well being or our students or staff members.

BUS TRANSPORTATION

Negative student behavior, which represents a real or potential safety hazard to the other 
students on the transportation vehicle by diverting the attention of the vehicle's driver, will be dealt 
with as violations of the school's policies regarding transportation, safety, insubordination and misuse 
of facilities. As a result, the student may be suspended from school-provided transportation and 
approved alternative transportation will have to be arranged by the student's parents.

DON'T LOSE YOUR RIDING PRIVILEGE. 

Avoid trouble by following these simple rules. DO NOT SMOKE. School regulations and the laws
of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania prohibit smoking on buses. DO NOT use profane
language, eat or drink on the bus, throw objects, or shout. Stay in your assigned seat and 
keep your head and hands inside the bus. The driver is in complete charge of the bus and 
passengers. Seating rules and charts must be obeyed. 

VIDEO CAMERAS ARE OPERATING ON THE BUSES.

ON THE BUS, STUDENTS MUST:

a.     Students must present student ID badge.
b.     Be seated before the bus moves, and remain seated while the bus is in motion.
c.     Not tamper with the bus or any of its equipment. Any person willfully damaging a bus 
        will be held responsible for such action.
d.     Not extend any part of the body from the bus, or throw objects out of the bus.
e.     No use of tobacco such as smoking or chewing.
f.     Be courteous to the driver; obey him/her, and give him/her the respect due a teacher.
g.     Not talk to the driver while the bus is in motion or distract his/her attention by loud 
        talking or disorderly behavior.
h.     Ride only on the assigned bus, sit in assigned seat, and get off only at the assigned 
        stop, with such exceptions as requested in writing by the parent and approved by the 
        building administrator.
i.     Refrain from any actions which would endanger the health, safety and welfare of the 
       other pupils on the bus.
j.      Not block aisles or emergency door.
k.    Share the responsibility of keeping the bus clean. Do not throw paper, etc., on the 
        floor.
l.     Not open or close windows unless permitted to do so by the driver.
       Any infractions may result in up to a Category "C" offense.

PICTURE IDENTIFICATION (ID) BADGE

Many employers require their employees to wear ID badges; therefore, in preparation for the 
world of work, student safety and building security, Berks Career and Technology Center requires all 
employees and students to wear their photo ID badges at all times while on school property.
If your ID is misplaced, lost or stolen, go to the office for a temporary replacement. A total of 
three (3) temporary replacement ID will be issued before the student is suspended for the day, 
required to pay a $5.00 replacement charge and be suspended until the ID badge is replaced.