The NJ Safe Schools Program (NJSS) is continuing to offer NJ Department of Education (NJDOE) approved college/university level equivalent “Instructional Strategies I-II courses for Teaching Students in Career-Technical Education & WBL.” Taking these two Instructional Strategies courses will get you on your way to receiving one of the endorsements for a Cooperative Education Coordinator (go to Non-Hazardous #3465 and/or Hazardous #3464 to see other requirements). These endorsements are applied for through the NJDOE.
Please Note
An individual who holds a NJ standard instructional certificate and has taken the four required courses for work-based learning (WBL) supervision, but is not CTE endorsed can only provide WBL experiences in non-hazardous occupations for any student (in either CTE or non-CTE), not including cooperative education experiences and apprenticeship WBL. Since the individual does not currently hold a NJ CTE endorsement, the individual would not benefit from taking the two Instructional Strategies courses until after the individual pursued/applied for and received a NJ CTE endorsement. We recommend individuals take such action.
If an individual has taken the four required courses for WBL supervision and has a CTE endorsement, the benefit of taking the Instructional Strategies courses is the individual would then, in addition to the above, be able to supervise CTE students in cooperative education experiences or apprenticeships. Only students in approved CTE programs of study can participate in co-ops and apprenticeships.
Regarding hazardous vs non-hazardous endoresements, the determination is based on the individual's previous work experience, which can be documented in their application (for example, with entries on a resume or CV). The hazardous endorsement is only based on documentation of previous hazardous experience.