(a) Implementation. The provisions of this section shall be implemented by school districts beginning with the 2024-2025 school year.
  (1) No later than August 31, 2024, the commissioner of education shall determine whether instructional materials funding has been made available to Texas public schools for materials that cover the essential knowledge and skills identified in this section.
  (2) If the commissioner makes the determination that instructional materials funding has been made available, this section shall be implemented beginning with the 2024-2025 school year and apply to the 2024-2025 and subsequent school years.
  (3) If the commissioner does not make the determination that instructional materials funding has been made available under this subsection, the commissioner shall determine no later than August 31 of each subsequent school year whether instructional materials funding has been made available. If the commissioner determines that instructional materials funding has been made available, the commissioner shall notify the State Board of Education and school districts that this section shall be implemented for the following school year.
(b) General requirements. This course is recommended for students in Grades 11 and 12. Prerequisite: Child Development or Child Development Associate Foundations. Students shall be awarded two credits for successful completion of this course.
(c) Introduction.
  (1) Career and technical education instruction provides content aligned with challenging academic standards, industry-relevant technical knowledge, and college and career readiness skills for students to further their education and succeed in current and emerging professions.
  (2) The Education and Training Career Cluster focuses on planning, managing, and providing education and training services and related learning support services.
  (3) Child Guidance is a course that addresses the knowledge and skills related to child growth and guidance, equipping students to develop positive relationships with children and effective caregiver skills. Students use these skills to promote the well-being and healthy development of children, strengthen a culturally diverse society, and pursue careers related to the care, guidance, and education of children, including those with special needs. Instruction may be delivered through school-based laboratory training or through work-based delivery arrangements such as cooperative education, mentoring, and job shadowing.
  (4) Students are encouraged to participate in extended learning experiences such as career and technical student organizations and other leadership or extracurricular organizations.
  (5) Statements that contain the word "including" reference content that must be mastered, while those containing the phrase "such as" are intended as possible illustrative examples.
(d) Knowledge and skills.
  (1) The student demonstrates professional standards/employability skills as required by business and industry. The student is expected to:
    (A) demonstrate effective verbal, nonverbal, written, and electronic communication skills;
    (B) demonstrate effective collaboration skills within the workplace;
    (C) identify characteristics of effective leaders and team members;
    (D) explain the importance of time management to succeed in the workforce;
    (E) apply work ethics and professionalism in a job setting; and
    (F) use appropriate problem-solving and critical-thinking skills.
  (2) The student practices ethical and legal responsibilities associated with providing childcare services. The student is expected to:
    (A) apply ethical codes of conduct in a childcare setting;
    (B) create coherent written communication between parents and childcare staff;
    (C) identify regulatory and compliance guidelines for maintaining documentation in childcare settings, including educational, personnel, and public records;
    (D) advocate through appropriate means for children when necessary;
    (E) comply with laws and regulations related to childcare services;
    (F) determine potential uses and management of technology, media, and resources to foster healthy child development; and
    (G) employ safeguards to prevent misuse and abuse of technology and media with children.
  (3) The student analyzes childcare options for children of various ages. The student is expected to:
    (A) compare the financial considerations of childcare options;
    (B) examine criteria for selecting quality childcare; and
    (C) review minimum standards for licensing and regulations for center-based and home-based programs.
  (4) The student analyzes responsibilities that promote health and wellness of children. The student is expected to:
    (A) monitor student behavior for signs of physical illness and emotional disturbances in children;
    (B) practice child guidance techniques that contribute to the health and wellness of children such as adequate rest, exercise, safety, and sanitation;
    (C) apply procedures for creating safe environments for children; and
    (D) create a meal plan for children, including nutritious snacks, following appropriate food guidelines.
  (5) The student analyzes the effect of play in the development of children. The student is expected to:
    (A) create examples of play that promote the physical, intellectual, emotional, and social development of children; and
    (B) implement strategies to encourage socially appropriate constructive and creative play, including indoor and outdoor activities.
  (6) The student applies appropriate guidance techniques for children of various ages and developmental levels, including those with special needs. The student is expected to:
    (A) discuss the various types of guidance and their effects on children;
    (B) determine and apply appropriate guidance techniques; and
    (C) distinguish between guidance techniques and behavior that could be considered inappropriate, harmful, or abusive.
  (7) The student will implement appropriate strategies and practices for optimizing the development of children ages birth through twelve months, including those with special needs. The student is expected to:
    (A) create and implement activities for the development of sensory skills;
    (B) create and implement activities for the development of language skills;
    (C) create and implement activities for the development of physical and motor skills; and
    (D) create and implement activities for the development of social skills.
  (8) The student will implement appropriate strategies and practices for optimizing the development of children ages 13 months through 35 months, including those with special needs. The student is expected to:
    (A) create and implement lesson plans for the development of physical skills;
    (B) create and implement lesson plans for the development of vocabulary and language skills;
    (C) create and implement lesson plans for the development of appropriate mathematics skills;
    (D) create and implement lesson plans for the development of appropriate science skills; and
    (E) create and implement lesson plans for the development of social and emotional skills.
  (9) The student will implement appropriate strategies and practices for optimizing the development of children ages 3 through 5 years, including those with special needs. The student is expected to:
    (A) create and implement lesson plans for the development of physical skills;
    (B) create and implement lesson plans for the development of appropriate reading and language skills;
    (C) create and implement lesson plans for the development of appropriate mathematics and problem-solving skills;
    (D) create and implement lesson plans for the development of appropriate science skills; and
    (E) create and implement lesson plans for the development of social and emotional skills.
  (10) The student makes informed career decisions that reflect personal, family, and career goals. The student is expected to:
    (A) analyze the impact of career decisions on personal and family goals;
    (B) assess personal interests, aptitudes, and abilities needed in the childcare profession;
    (C) develop short- and long-term career goals;
    (D) evaluate employment and entrepreneurial opportunities; and
    (E) evaluate educational requirements for early childhood development and services.

Source Note: The provisions of this §127.318 adopted to be effective June 14, 2022, 47 TexReg 3460