SECTION 127.626. Principles of Law, Public Safety, Corrections, and Security (One Credit), Adopted 2015

(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 Law, Public Safety, Corrections, and Security Career Cluster focuses on planning, managing, and providing legal services, public safety, protective services, and homeland security, including professional and technical support services.

(3) Principles of Law, Public Safety, Corrections, and Security introduces students to professions in law enforcement, protective services, corrections, firefighting, and emergency management services. Students will examine the roles and responsibilities of police, courts, corrections, private security, and protective agencies of fire and emergency services. The course provides students with an overview of the skills necessary for careers in law enforcement, fire service, protective services, and corrections.

(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 achieve business and industry employability skills standards such as attendance, on-time arrival, meeting deadlines, working toward personal/team goals every day, and ethical use of technology.

(2) The student achieves academic knowledge and skills required for career and postsecondary education opportunities associated with the career field. The student is expected to:

(A) apply English language arts knowledge and skills required for career and postsecondary education opportunities;

(B) apply mathematics knowledge and skills required for career and postsecondary education opportunities; and

(C) apply science knowledge and skills for career and postsecondary education associated with the career field.

(3) The student uses communication skills in creating, expressing, and interpreting information and ideas, including technical terminology and information. The student is expected to:

(A) evaluate effective use of grammar to develop verbal communication skills;

(B) differentiate among speaking strategies used to communicate specific ideas to various audiences;

(C) interpret voice quality and delivery to analyze verbal communication; and

(D) demonstrate effective interpersonal skills necessary to communicate with coworkers and the public.

(4) The student formulates ideas, proposals, and solutions to address problems related to the career field in order to ensure effective and efficient delivery of services. The student is expected to:

(A) use analytical skills to formulate ideas, proposals, and solutions to problems;

(B) formulate ideas, proposals, and solutions to ensure delivery of services; and

(C) use critical-thinking skills to solve ethical issues identified in the career field.

(5) The student implements measures to maintain safe and healthful working conditions in a law and public safety environment. The student is expected to:

(A) identify, analyze, and evaluate the dangers associated with the different career fields;

(B) create and recommend strategies for issues related to the safety and health of employees based on an assessment of a simulated workplace environment;

(C) discuss methods for safe handling of hazardous materials;

(D) discuss the importance of good health and physical fitness; and

(E) demonstrate first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and automated external defibrillator procedures.

(6) The student analyzes the legal responsibilities associated with roles and functions within law, public safety, corrections, and security organizations to demonstrate a commitment to professional and ethical behavior. The student is expected to:

(A) examine real-world situations involving ethical dilemmas and professional conduct;

(B) explain laws, regulations, and policies that govern professionals; and

(C) recommend a strategy for responding to an unethical or illegal situation.

(7) The student recognizes the importance of interagency cooperation. The student is expected to:

(A) discuss the importance of police, fire, emergency medical services, court, corrections, and security systems working together to protect the public;

(B) examine the roles and responsibilities of first responders;

(C) identify jurisdictional problems that may arise as multiple agencies work together; and

(D) differentiate the roles of private security and public law enforcement agencies.

(8) The student understands the historical and philosophical development of criminal law. The student is expected to:

(A) identify the sources and origin of law in the United States;

(B) explain the impact of the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights on criminal law in regard to the rights of citizens;

(C) differentiate between crimes classified as felonies or misdemeanors and the punishments for each;

(D) analyze the essential elements and classifications of a crime;

(E) identify problems commonly associated with the enforcement of criminal laws; and

(F) identify the process by which laws are enacted.

(9) The student identifies the roles of the public safety professional. The student is expected to:

(A) identify career opportunities in federal, state, county, and municipal law enforcement agencies;

(B) identify the education and training required for various levels of law enforcement;

(C) discuss the history of policing in the United States;

(D) identify the roles and responsibilities of law enforcement professionals;

(E) analyze the impact of constitutional law on police as it relates to arrest, use of force, searches, and seizure;

(F) examine the role of emergency medical services in public safety; and

(G) identify how public safety professionals manage the stress related to these jobs.

(10) The student identifies the roles and functions of court systems. The student is expected to:

(A) identify career opportunities in the court systems;

(B) identify the levels and functions of criminal courts;

(C) examine the roles of the courtroom work groups such as judges, prosecutors, defense counsel, and bailiffs;

(D) explain pretrial and courtroom procedures; and

(E) identify types of sentencing and sentencing rules.

(11) The student identifies the roles and functions of the correctional system. The student is expected to:

(A) explain career opportunities available in the correctional system, including probation and parole;

(B) explain the duties and responsibilities of correctional officers;

(C) recognize the history of prisons in the United States;

(D) explain the differences between jails and prisons;

(E) identify the levels of security in prisons and jails; and

(F) explain the constitutional rights of inmates in prisons and jails.

(12) The student identifies the roles and functions of private security systems and agencies. The student is expected to:

(A) explain the career opportunities available in private security;

(B) discuss the history and importance of private security in the United States; and

(C) examine the relationship between private security and public safety agencies.

(13) The student identifies the roles and functions of fire protection services. The student is expected to:

(A) identify the career opportunities in fire protection services;

(B) explain the duties and responsibilities of firefighters;

(C) recognize the importance of the operation of 911 and computer-aided dispatch systems; and

(D) explain the relationships among police, fire, and emergency medical services.

(14) The student identifies the roles and functions of student community organizations that support or provide additional information and guidance to those interested in law, public safety, corrections, and protective services. The student is expected to:

(A) research and participate in community organizations such as SkillsUSA, Law Enforcement Explorer Scouts, and National Technical Honor Society; and

(B) identify community outreach organizations such as Citizens on Patrol; local student police organizations; or national student police organizations.

Source Note: The provisions of this §127.626 adopted to be effective April 7, 2022, 47 TexReg 1677