(a) General requirements. This course is recommended for students in Grades 11 and 12. The practicum course is a paid or unpaid capstone experience for students participating in a coherent sequence of career and technical education courses in the Law, Public Safety, Corrections, and Security Career Cluster. Students shall be awarded two credits for successful completion of this course. A student may repeat this course once for credit provided that the student is experiencing different aspects of the industry and demonstrating proficiency in additional and more advanced knowledge and skills.
(b) Introduction.
  (1) Career and technical education instruction provides content aligned with challenging academic standards and relevant technical knowledge and skills for students to further their education and succeed in current or emerging professions.
  (2) The Law, Public Safety, Corrections, and Security Career Cluster focuses on planning, managing, and providing legal services, public safety, protective services, and homeland security, including professional and technical support services.
  (3) The practicum course is designed to give students supervised practical application of previously studied knowledge and skills in law, public safety, corrections, and security. Practicum experiences can occur in a variety of locations appropriate to the nature and level of experience.
  (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.
(c) Knowledge and skills.
  (1) The student demonstrates professional standards/employability skills as required by business and industry. The student is expected to achieve business and industry employability skills standards such as attendance, on-time arrival, meeting deadlines, working toward personal/team goals every day, and ethical use of technology.
  (2) The student demonstrates professional standards as required by business and industry. The student is expected to:
    (A) adhere to policies and procedures;
    (B) demonstrate positive work behaviors and attitudes such as punctuality, time management, initiative, and cooperation;
    (C) accept constructive criticism;
    (D) apply ethical reasoning to a variety of situations in order to make ethical decisions;
    (E) complete tasks with the highest standards to ensure quality services;
    (F) describe professional standards in law, public safety, corrections, and security careers such as dress, grooming, and personal protective equipment as appropriate; and
    (G) comply with practicum setting safety such as rules and regulations to maintain safe and healthful working conditions and environments.
  (3) The student applies concepts of critical thinking and problem solving. The student is expected to:
    (A) analyze elements of a problem to develop creative and innovative solutions;
    (B) critically analyze information to determine its value for the problem-solving task;
    (C) compare and contrast alternatives using a variety of critical-thinking skills; and
    (D) conduct technical research to gather information necessary for decision making.
  (4) The student demonstrates leadership and teamwork skills in collaborating with others to accomplish goals and objectives. The student is expected to:
    (A) analyze leadership characteristics such as trust, positive attitude, integrity, and willingness to accept key responsibilities in a work situation;
    (B) demonstrate teamwork skills through working cooperatively with others to achieve tasks;
    (C) demonstrate teamwork processes that promote skills such as team building, consensus, continuous improvement, respect for the opinions of others, cooperation, adaptability, and conflict resolution;
    (D) demonstrate responsibility for shared group and individual work tasks;
    (E) maintain effective working relationships in order to accomplish objectives and tasks;
    (F) demonstrate effective working relationships using interpersonal skills;
    (G) apply positive interpersonal skills to work cooperatively with others;
    (H) demonstrate respect for individuals such as those from different cultures, genders, and backgrounds; and
    (I) demonstrate sensitivity to and value for diversity.
  (5) The student demonstrates verbal, nonverbal, and written communication skills in creating, expressing, and interpreting information and ideas, including technical terminology and information. The student is expected to:
    (A) demonstrate the use of content, technical concepts, and vocabulary when analyzing information and following directions;
    (B) employ verbal skills when obtaining and conveying information;
    (C) access information sources for occupational tasks using technical materials and informational texts such as Internet websites;
    (D) evaluate the reliability of information from technical materials, resources, and informational texts such as Internet websites;
    (E) interpret verbal and nonverbal behaviors to enhance communication;
    (F) apply active listening skills to obtain and clarify information; and
    (G) use academic skills to facilitate effective written and verbal communication such as emails, texting, and written documents.
  (6) The student demonstrates technical knowledge and skills required to pursue a career in the Law, Public Safety, Corrections, and Security Career Cluster. The student is expected to:
    (A) develop advanced technical knowledge and skills related to the student's occupational objective;
    (B) evaluate strengths and weaknesses in technical skill proficiency; and
    (C) accept critical feedback provided by the supervisor.
  (7) The student documents technical knowledge and skills. The student is expected to:
    (A) update a professional portfolio reflecting items such as work quality and productivity; technical skills; problem solving; creativity and innovation; communication skills; teamwork and flexibility; initiative and self-direction; accountability and integrity; attendance; licensures or certifications, including awards and scholarships, extended learning experiences, community service, and active participation in career and technical student and professional organizations; abstract of technical competencies mastered during the practicum; updated and current resume; samples of work; and evaluation from the practicum supervisor; and
    (B) present the portfolio to interested stakeholders.

Source Note: The provisions of this §127.636 adopted to be effective April 7, 2022, 47 TexReg 1677