(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 Manufacturing 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 Manufacturing Career Cluster focuses on planning, managing, and performing the processing of materials into intermediate or final products and related professional and technical support activities such as production planning and control, maintenance, and manufacturing/process engineering.
  (3) The Practicum in Manufacturing course is designed to give students supervised practical application of previously studied knowledge and skills. 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:
    (A) identify and apply the employer's standard operating procedures;
    (B) demonstrate positive work behaviors such as attitudes, punctuality, time management, initiative, and cooperation;
    (C) communicate appropriately and accept constructive criticism;
    (D) research and discuss business ethics;
    (E) complete tasks such as quality products and services with the highest standards;
    (F) model professional appearance such as dress, grooming, and personal protective equipment as appropriate; and
    (G) comply with safety rules such as regulations to maintain safe working conditions and environments appropriate to the work setting.
  (2) The student applies concepts of critical thinking and problem solving. The student is expected to:
    (A) analyze elements of a problem;
    (B) analyze information critically to determine its value; and
    (C) conduct technical research to gather information for decision making.
  (3) 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 such as promoting team building, consensus, continuous improvement, respect for the opinions of others, cooperation, adaptability, and conflict resolution;
    (D) demonstrate responsibility for organization tasks such as shared group and individual work tasks; and
    (E) establish and maintain effective working relationships.
  (4) The student demonstrates oral and written communication skills. The student is expected to:
    (A) demonstrate the use of content such as technical concepts and vocabulary;
    (B) employ verbal skills when obtaining and conveying information;
    (C) use informational texts such as Internet websites and technical materials for occupational tasks;
    (D) evaluate the reliability of information such as Internet websites, technical materials, and resources;
    (E) interpret verbal and nonverbal cues and behaviors to enhance communication;
    (F) apply active listening skills such as obtaining and clarifying the information; and
    (G) use academic skills such as effective written and oral communication.
  (5) The student demonstrates technical knowledge and skills required to pursue a career in the manufacturing cluster. The student is expected to:
    (A) use information literacy skills such as accessing, evaluating, and disseminating information;
    (B) describe information management;
    (C) maintain records to facilitate ongoing business operations;
    (D) develop goals;
    (E) prioritize tasks;
    (F) develop timelines using time-management skills;
    (G) use project-management skills such as initiate, plan, execute, monitor and control, and close to improve workflow;
    (H) evaluate proficiencies in technical skills; and
    (I) accept critical feedback provided by the supervisor.
  (6) The student documents technical knowledge and skills using a professional portfolio. The student is expected to:
    (A) demonstrate growth of technical skill competencies;
    (B) demonstrate technical knowledge and skills by completing activities such as earning licensures or certifications;
    (C) develop an abstract of key points of the practicum;
    (D) create a job-skills resume;
    (E) collect representative work samples;
    (F) maintain copies of evaluations from the practicum supervisor and/or industrial representative; and
    (G) present the portfolio to interested stakeholders.

Source Note: The provisions of this §130.366 adopted to be effective August 28, 2017, 40 TexReg 6601