Labor Learning Goals
The Identification of Expected Outcomes (Student Learning Goals)
At Berea College, the Labor Program is an integral and stated part of the educational program as mandated by the Department of Education Work Colleges legislation. It is a competency based (rather than credit hour based) model of learning. It has clearly defined student learning goals and expected outcomes which are regularly reviewed by the Labor Program Council. The council has comprehensive responsibility for major programmatic changes that affect experiential learning in the program, with specific responsibility regarding evaluation and assessment of labor. They are also available on the Labor Program’s Goals and Purposes web page which includes the program objectives. The labor supervisor is responsible for articulating, to the student worker, the actual descriptors utilized in evaluating a performance expectation.
Labor Learning Goals
| Goal 1 |
To develop and apply the six soft skills (attendance, accountability, teamwork, initiative, respect, learning) directly related to the work-learning-service level, the description of duties and the learning opportunities sections of the job description.
Expected Outcome: In their labor positions, students will exhibit the good habits of attendance, accountability, teamwork, initiative, respect, and life-long learning. |
| Goal 2 |
To develop and apply the hard skills articulated in the work-learning-service level, the description of duties and the learning opportunities sections of the job description.
Expected Outcome: In their labor positions, students will demonstrate through their work, the specific skills and/or attitudes set forth in their job description. |
| Goal 3 |
To develop and apply, whenever possible, the four core general education goals (Writer, Speaker, Researcher, Critical Thinker).
Expected Outcome: In each labor position, whenever possible, students will: exhibit skills in writing that applies to their work; successfully communicate information, thoughts and ideas; identify through discovery, data or ideas that support advances in their work; and demonstrate the ability to analyze and interpret ideas that benefit the work place. |
| Goal 4 |
To work in labor positions that support the student’s academic goal and/or field of interest.
Expected Outcome: Students will develop skills and professional attitudes related to their academic major, career, and or personal interests. |
| Goal 5 |
To progress over time to more skilled and responsible levels of work, as defined by the seven Work-Learning-Service levels.
Expected Outcome: Students, upon graduation, will have advanced to a WLS leadership level (4, 5, 6, or UC). |