SECTION 130.143. Practicum in Business Management (Two Credits), Adopted 2015

(a) General requirements. This course is recommended for students in Grades 11 and 12. Recommended prerequisites: Touch System Data Entry and Business Management or Business Information Management II. 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 Business Management and Administration Career Cluster focuses on careers in planning, organizing, directing, and evaluating business functions essential to efficient and productive business operations.

(3) Practicum in Business Management is designed to give students supervised practical application of previously studied knowledge and skills. Practicum experiences occur in a paid or unpaid arrangement and a variety of locations appropriate to the nature and level of experience. Students implement personal and interpersonal skills to strengthen individual performance in the workplace and in society and to make a successful transition to the workforce or postsecondary education. Students apply technical skills to address business applications of emerging technologies. Students develop a foundation in the economic, financial, technological, international, social, and ethical aspects of business to become competent consumers, employees, and entrepreneurs. Students enhance reading, writing, computing, communication, and reasoning skills and apply them to the business environment. Students incorporate a broad base of knowledge that includes the legal, managerial, marketing, financial, ethical, and international dimensions of business to make appropriate business decisions.

(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 required by business and industry. The student is expected to:

(A) communicate effectively with others using oral and written skills;

(B) demonstrate collaboration skills through teamwork;

(C) demonstrate professionalism by conducting oneself in a manner appropriate for the profession and workplace;

(D) demonstrate a positive, productive work ethic by performing assigned tasks as directed;

(E) comply with all applicable rules, laws, and regulations; and

(F) demonstrate time-management skills by prioritizing tasks, following schedules, and tending to goal-relevant activities in a way that uses time wisely and optimizes efficiency and results.

(2) The student identifies and implements employability skills to gain a position in a company. The student is expected to:

(A) assess personal marketability;

(B) practice job-search strategies, including:

(i) write a letter of application;

(ii) prepare a resume;

(iii) use networking techniques to identify employment opportunities; and

(iv) complete a job application;

(C) demonstrate proper interview techniques and professional dress and appearance;

(D) interview for a job, performing proper interview techniques and modeling professional dress and appearance;

(E) practice appropriate follow-up etiquette procedures, including:

(i) write a thank you note; and

(ii) write a follow-up letter after a job interview;

(F) identify skills and attributes necessary for professional advancement;

(G) evaluate and compare employment options such as salaries, benefits, and prerequisites;

(H) identify and rank tangible and intangible rewards of work; and

(I) identify employment opportunities and complete job search procedures such as job applications and W-4.

(3) The student demonstrates professional standards as required by business and industry. The student is expected to:

(A) adhere to policies and procedures;

(B) demonstrate positive work behaviors and attitudes, including punctuality, time-management, initiative, and cooperation;

(C) apply ethical reasoning to a variety of situations in order to make ethical decisions; and

(D) complete tasks with the highest standards to ensure quality products and services.

(4) The student develops and demonstrates skills for success in the workplace. The student is expected to:

(A) explain the importance of and model appropriate dress, hygiene, and demeanor for the work assignment;

(B) exhibit productive work habits and attitudes, including accepting constructive criticism; and

(C) prioritize work to fulfill responsibilities, meet deadlines, and complete tasks with the highest standards to ensure quality products and services.

(5) The student applies principles of effective interpersonal skills. The student is expected to:

(A) demonstrate professional qualities, including positive attitude, loyalty, and diplomacy;

(B) identify and demonstrate skills needed to maintain effective work relations with relevant parties such as colleagues and customers;

(C) demonstrate a respect for different workplace cultures and individuals from different cultures, genders, and backgrounds;

(D) understand rights and responsibilities concerning sexual harassment in the workplace;

(E) apply tact in handling criticism and disagreement or disappointment, accept constructive criticism, and revise personal views when valid evidence warrants;

(F) explain the concepts of integrity and confidentiality as related to the office environment; and

(G) demonstrate methods for implementing and improving customer satisfaction.

(6) The student demonstrates leadership and teamwork skills in collaborating with others to accomplish goals and objectives. The student is expected to:

(A) analyze leadership in relation to 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 goals;

(C) demonstrate teamwork processes that promote team building, consensus, continuous improvement, respect for the opinions of others, cooperation, adaptability, and conflict resolution;

(D) demonstrate responsibility for shared group and individual work tasks; and

(E) establish and maintain effective working relationships by:

(i) demonstrating interpersonal skills;

(ii) using positive interpersonal skills to work cooperatively with others;

(iii) negotiating effectively to arrive at decisions; and

(iv) demonstrating sensitivity to and value for diversity.

(7) The student facilitates internal and external office communications to support work activities. The student is expected to:

(A) record messages accurately, legibly, and completely;

(B) deliver messages to the appropriate person or department;

(C) coordinate arrangements for participants;

(D) follow calling and login procedures; and

(E) troubleshoot any problems.

(8) The student abides by risk-management policies and procedures for technology to minimize loss. The student is expected to:

(A) adhere to technology safety and security policies such as acceptable use policy and web page policies;

(B) apply ergonomic techniques to technology tasks;

(C) adhere to laws pertaining to computer crime, fraud, and abuse;

(D) follow procedures used to restart and recover from situations such as system failure and virus infection;

(E) follow policies to prevent loss of data integrity; and

(F) adhere to the organization's policies for technology use.

(9) The student uses information technology tools to manage and perform work responsibilities. The student is expected to:

(A) demonstrate advanced web search skills;

(B) demonstrate advanced word-processing skills by:

(i) identifying customary styles of business documents such as memoranda, letters, emails, and reports;

(ii) inputting data using the touch system;

(iii) demonstrating basic writing techniques such as correct memorandum format, informal or formal style, and direct or indirect layout;

(iv) applying correct grammar, spelling, punctuation, and other English mechanics; and

(v) using references and preparing notations;

(C) apply advanced presentation applications;

(D) demonstrate advanced spreadsheet applications by:

(i) entering labels and values into spreadsheet cells;

(ii) formatting labels and values;

(iii) preparing tables, graphs, infographics and graphics;

(iv) developing formulas and entering appropriate functions; and

(v) verifying formulas and functions with sample values;

(E) construct advanced database applications;

(F) perform scheduling functions electronically to facilitate on-time, prompt completion of work activities by:

(i) creating a calendar or schedule;

(ii) maintaining an appointment calendar;

(iii) verifying appointments;

(iv) coordinating travel arrangements;

(v) setting up meeting arrangements; and

(vi) disseminating meeting information to appropriate persons; and

(G) enter data without error.

(10) The student manages personal finances to achieve financial goals. The student is expected to:

(A) develop a budget based on personal financial goals;

(B) interpret a pay stub;

(C) read and reconcile bank statements;

(D) maintain financial records;

(E) demonstrate the wise use of credit;

(F) validate a credit history;

(G) protect against identity theft; and

(H) prepare personal income tax forms, including the 1040E.

(11) The student establishes procedures to maintain equipment and supplies. The student is expected to:

(A) determine equipment needed;

(B) determine supplies needed;

(C) establish equipment and supplies maintenance systems;

(D) schedule equipment maintenance; and

(E) use equipment and supplies maintenance procedures.

(12) The student applies concepts of critical thinking and problem solving. The student is expected to:

(A) analyze elements of a problem to develop creative and innovative solutions;

(B) critically analyze information to determine value to the problem-solving task;

(C) compare and contrast alternatives using a variety of problem-solving and critical-thinking skills; and

(D) conduct technical research to gather information necessary for decision making.

Source Note: The provisions of this §130.143 adopted to be effective August 28, 2017, 40 TexReg 6601