(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 Human Services Career Cluster. Corequisite: Practicum in Human Services. This course must be taken concurrently with Practicum in Human Services 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 Human Services Career Cluster focuses on preparing individuals for employment in career pathways that relate to families and human needs such as counseling and mental health services, family and community services, personal care services, and consumer services.
  (3) Extended Practicum in Human Services provides background knowledge and occupation-specific training that focuses on the development of consumer services, early childhood development and services, counseling and mental health services, and family and community-services careers. Content for Extended Practicum in Human Services is designed to meet the occupational preparation needs and interests of students and should be based upon the knowledge and skills selected from two or more courses in a coherent sequence in the human services cluster.
  (4) Instruction may be delivered through school-based laboratory training or through work-based delivery arrangements such as cooperative education, mentoring, and job shadowing.
  (5) Students are encouraged to participate in extended learning experiences such as career and technical student organizations and other leadership or extracurricular organizations.
  (6) 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 human services;
    (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 self-discipline, positive attitude, integrity, leadership, appreciation for diversity, customer service, work ethic, and adaptability with increased fluency;
    (D) demonstrate use of personal information management, email, Internet, writing and publishing, presentation, and spreadsheet or database applications for relevant projects with increased fluency;
    (E) employ teamwork and conflict-management skills with increased fluency to achieve collective goals; and
    (F) employ planning and time-management skills and tools with increased fluency to enhance results and complete work tasks.
  (2) The student applies professional communications strategies. The student is expected to:
    (A) demonstrate verbal and non-verbal communication consistently in a clear, concise, and effective manner;
    (B) present information formally and informally in an effective manner;
    (C) analyze, interpret, and effectively communicate information;
    (D) apply active listening skills to obtain and clarify information; and
    (E) exhibit public relations skills to maintain internal and external customer/client satisfaction.
  (3) The student implements advanced problem-solving methods. The student is expected to employ critical-thinking skills with increased fluency both independently and in groups to solve problems and make decisions.
  (4) The student understands and applies proper safety techniques in the workplace. The student is expected to:
    (A) demonstrate an understanding of and consistently follow workplace safety rules and regulations;
    (B) identify appropriate locations to safely offer human services;
    (C) employ procedures necessary to provide emergency aid for workplace accidents; and
    (D) demonstrate an understanding of components of a disaster and emergency response plan and use when directed.
  (5) The student understands the professional, ethical, and legal responsibilities in human services. The student is expected to:
    (A) demonstrate a positive, productive work ethic by performing assigned tasks as directed;
    (B) describe and practice ethical and legal responsibilities associated with providing human services;
    (C) show integrity by choosing the ethical course of action when making decisions;
    (D) address situations requiring client advocacy appropriately and advocate when necessary; and
    (E) comply with all applicable rules, laws, and regulations in a consistent manner.
  (6) The student participates in a supervised human services experience. The student is expected to:
    (A) conduct, document, and evaluate learning activities in a supervised human services experience;
    (B) implement quality-control systems and practices that ensure quality products and services with increased fluency;
    (C) identify a functional work environment, equipment needs, and required utilities for offering human services;
    (D) employ appropriate social skills necessary for interacting with a diverse population; and
    (E) collect representative work samples.

Source Note: The provisions of this §130.285 adopted to be effective August 28, 2017, 41 TexReg 614