(a) General requirements. This course is recommended for students in Grades 9-12. Students shall be awarded one credit for successful completion of this course.
(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 Architecture and Construction Career Cluster focuses on designing, planning, managing, building, and maintaining the built environment.
  (3) Principles of Construction is intended to provide an introduction and lay a solid foundation for those students entering the construction or craft skilled areas. The course provides a strong knowledge of construction safety, construction mathematics, and common hand and power tools. For safety and liability considerations, limiting course enrollment to 15 students is recommended. This course also provides communication and occupation skills to assist the student in obtaining and maintaining employment.
  (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) explain the role of an employee in the construction industry;
    (B) demonstrate critical-thinking skills;
    (C) demonstrate the ability to solve problems using critical-thinking skills;
    (D) demonstrate knowledge of basic computer systems;
    (E) explain common uses for computers in the construction industry;
    (F) define effective relationship skills;
    (G) recognize workplace issues such as sexual harassment, stress, and substance abuse;
    (H) explain the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) General Duty Clause; and
    (I) explain OSHA 1926 CFR Subpart C.
  (2) The student understands that safe working standards are imperative in the classroom and in the field. The student is expected to:
    (A) explain the idea of a safety culture;
    (B) explain the importance of a safety culture in the construction crafts;
    (C) explain the role of the OSHA in job-site safety;
    (D) explain fall protection, ladder safety, stair safety, and scaffold safety procedures;
    (E) demonstrate the use and care of appropriate personal protective equipment, including safety goggles and glasses, hard hats, gloves, safety harnesses, and safety shoes;
    (F) define safe work procedures around electrical hazards; and
    (G) explain the importance of Safety Data Sheets (SDS).
  (3) The student understands the importance of recognizing potential hazards and preventing accidents in the classroom and in the field. The student is expected to:
    (A) identify causes of accidents;
    (B) identify impacts of accident costs;
    (C) define hazard recognition;
    (D) identify struck-by hazards;
    (E) identify caught-in-between hazards;
    (F) identify other construction hazards on the jobsite, including hazardous material exposures, environmental elements, welding and cutting hazards, confined spaces, and fires; and
    (G) explain the importance of hazard communication (HazCom).
  (4) The student understands basic construction mathematics. The student is expected to:
    (A) add, subtract, multiply, and divide whole numbers with and without a calculator;
    (B) add, subtract, multiply, and divide fractions;
    (C) add, subtract, multiply, and divide decimals with and without a calculator;
    (D) convert decimals to percentages and percentages to decimals; and
    (E) convert fractions to decimals and decimals to fractions.
  (5) The student demonstrates basic measuring practices. The student is expected to:
    (A) use a standard ruler, a metric ruler, a measuring tape, and an architectural/engineering scale to measure;
    (B) explain what the metric system is and how it is important in the construction trade;
    (C) recognize and use metric units of length, weight, volume, and temperature; and
    (D) recognize some of the basic shapes used in the construction industry and apply basic geometric principles to measure them.
  (6) The student acquires knowledge about care and identification of hand tools. The student is expected to:
    (A) recognize and identify the basic hand tools and their purposes for the construction trades;
    (B) inspect basic hand tools visually to determine if they are safe for use; and
    (C) use the basic construction hand tools safely and properly.
  (7) The student acquires knowledge about care and identification of powered hand tools. The student is expected to:
    (A) identify powered hand tools commonly used in the construction trades;
    (B) practice safe and proper application of powered hand tools commonly used in the construction trades; and
    (C) explain how to properly maintain and clean powered hand tools commonly used in construction trades.
  (8) The student develops the basics of construction drawing. The student is expected to:
    (A) interpret and use drawing dimensions;
    (B) recognize and identify basic construction terms;
    (C) recognize and identify basic drawing components;
    (D) recognize and identify commonly used drawing symbols;
    (E) relate information on construction drawings to actual locations on the print; and
    (F) recognize different classifications of construction drawings.
  (9) The student interprets and presents information used in workplace situations. The student is expected to:
    (A) interpret information and instructions presented in written form;
    (B) interpret information and instructions presented in verbal form;
    (C) communicate effectively using verbal and writing skills; and
    (D) communicate effectively on the job using electronic communication devices.
  (10) The student identifies ergonomic tools and procedures as well as safe material handling standards. The student is expected to:
    (A) define a load;
    (B) establish a pre-task plan prior to moving a load;
    (C) apply proper material-handling techniques;
    (D) choose appropriate material-handling equipment for the task; and
    (E) recognize hazards and follow safety procedures required for material handling.

Source Note: The provisions of this §130.43 adopted to be effective August 28, 2017, 40 TexReg 9123