(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 Government and Public Administration Career Cluster. Corequisite: Practicum in Local, State, and Federal Government. This course must be taken concurrently with Practicum in Local, State, and Federal Government and may not be taken as a stand-alone course. Students shall be awarded one credit 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 Government and Public Administration Career Cluster focuses on planning and performing governmental functions at the local, state, and federal levels, including governance, national security, foreign service, planning, revenue and taxation, and regulations.
  (3) Students in the Extended Practicum in Local, State, and Federal Government will concurrently learn advanced concepts of political science and government workings in the classroom setting and in the workplace. In addition, students will apply technical skills pertaining to government and public administration in a direct mentorship by individuals in professional settings such as government, public management and administration, national security, municipal planning, foreign service, revenue, taxation, and regulation.
  (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:
    (A) participate in a paid or unpaid, laboratory- or work-based application of previously studied knowledge and skills related to government or public administration;
    (B) participate in training, education, or preparation for licensure, certification, or other relevant credentials to prepare for employment;
    (C) demonstrate professional standards and personal qualities needed to be employable such as leadership, teamwork, appreciation for diversity, conflict management, work ethic, and adaptability with increased fluency;
    (D) demonstrate technology applications skills such as effective use of social media, email, Internet, publishing tools, presentation tools, spreadsheets, or databases to enhance work products with increased fluency; and
    (E) employ effective planning and time-management skills with increased fluency by prioritizing tasks, following schedules, and tending to goal-relevant activities in a way that uses time wisely and optimizes efficiency and results.
  (2) The student implements advanced professional communications strategies. The student is expected to:
    (A) demonstrate verbal and non-verbal communication consistently in a clear, concise, and effective manner;
    (B) analyze, interpret, and effectively communicate information, data, and observations;
    (C) create and deliver formal and informal presentations in an effective manner; and
    (D) observe and interpret verbal and nonverbal cues and behaviors to enhance communication.
  (3) The student applies concepts of critical thinking and problem solving. The student is expected to:
    (A) employ critical-thinking skills with increased fluency both independently and in groups to solve problems and make decisions; and
    (B) analyze elements of a problem to develop creative and innovative solutions.
  (4) The student understands the professional, ethical, and legal responsibilities in government and public administration. The student is expected to:
    (A) demonstrate a positive, productive work ethic by performing assigned tasks as directed;
    (B) show integrity by choosing the ethical course of action when making decisions; and
    (C) comply with all applicable rules, laws, and regulations in a consistent manner.
  (5) The student conducts a project using analytical problem-solving techniques. The student is expected to:
    (A) conduct, document, and evaluate learning activities in a supervised government or public administration experience;
    (B) research a problem, complete a feasibility study, or complete a product evaluation related to a government and public administration issue;
    (C) collect primary data such as interviews, surveys, and observations;
    (D) interpret and present quantitative data;
    (E) evaluate strengths and weaknesses in technical skill proficiency; and
    (F) collect representative work samples.

Source Note: The provisions of this §127.648 adopted to be effective April 7, 2022, 47 TexReg 1677