(a) General requirements. This course is recommended for students in Grade 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 Information Technology Career Cluster. Prerequisite: a minimum of two high school information technology courses. Corequisite: Practicum in Information Technology. This course must be taken concurrently with Practicum in Information Technology 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 Information Technology (IT) Career Cluster focuses on building linkages in IT occupations for entry level, technical, and professional careers related to the design, development, support, and management of hardware, software, multimedia, and systems integration services.
  (3) In Extended Practicum in Information Technology, students will gain advanced knowledge and skills in the application, design, production, implementation, maintenance, evaluation, and assessment of products, services, and systems. Knowledge and skills in the proper use of analytical skills and application of IT concepts and standards are essential to prepare students for success in a technology-driven society. Critical thinking, IT experience, and product development may be conducted in a classroom setting with an instructor, with an industry mentor, or both.
  (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 IT;
    (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, integrity, customer service, work ethic, and adaptability with increased fluency;
    (D) employ teamwork and conflict-management skills with increased fluency to achieve collective goals; and
    (E) employ planning and time-management skills and tools such as project management and storyboarding with increased fluency to enhance results and complete work tasks.
  (2) The student applies professional communications strategies. The student is expected to:
    (A) demonstrate proper use of written, verbal, and visual communication techniques consistent with IT industry standards with increased proficiency;
    (B) apply active listening skills to obtain and clarify information;
    (C) create and deliver formal and informal presentations in an effective manner; and
    (D) 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:
    (A) employ critical-thinking skills with increased fluency both independently and in groups to solve problems and make decisions;
    (B) apply critical-thinking strategies with increased fluency to develop solutions using appropriate technologies and resources, IT concepts, and industry standards; and
    (C) apply decision-making techniques with increased fluency to choose a technology-based solution.
  (4) The student understands and applies proper safety and security techniques in the workplace. The student is expected to:
    (A) demonstrate an understanding of and consistently follow IT security rules, regulations, and procedures; and
    (B) develop and implement security management plans to address security requirements.
  (5) The student understands the professional, ethical, and legal responsibilities in IT. 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 the field of IT;
    (C) show integrity by choosing the ethical course of action when making decisions; and
    (D) comply with all applicable rules, laws, and regulations in a consistent manner.
  (6) The student participates in a supervised IT experience. The student is expected to:
    (A) design, create, and implement a product or service that addresses a problem or meets a specified need in the field of IT;
    (B) identify areas where quality, reliability, and safety can be designed into a product or service;
    (C) develop a sustainability plan for the product or service;
    (D) develop an evaluation method to analyze the effect of the product or service on client satisfaction and problem resolution; and
    (E) collect representative work samples.

Source Note: The provisions of this §130.314 adopted to be effective August 28, 2017, 41 TexReg 614