1. (a) Implementation.

   1. (1) The provisions of this section shall be implemented by school districts beginning with the 2017-2018 school year.
   2. (2) School districts shall implement the employability skills student expectations listed in §127.15(d)(2) of this chapter (relating to Career and Technical Education Employability Skills) as an integral part of this course.
2. (b) 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 Architecture and Construction Career Cluster. Prerequisite: Interior Design II. Corequisite: Practicum in Interior Design. This course must be taken concurrently with Practicum in Interior Design 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.

3. (c) Introduction.

   1. (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. (2) The Architecture and Construction Career Cluster focuses on designing, planning, managing, building, and maintaining the built environment.
   3. (3) Extended Practicum in Interior Design is an occupationally specific course designed to provide job-specific skills through laboratory training, job shadowing, or work situations in areas compatible with identified career goals in interior design. In addition, students will be expected to develop knowledge and skills related to housing, furnishings, and equipment construction or equipment management and services.
   4. (4) Students are encouraged to participate in extended learning experiences such as career and technical student organizations and other organizations that foster leadership and career development in the profession such as student chapters of related professional associations.
   5. (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.

4. (d) Knowledge and skills.

   1. (1) The student applies professional communications strategies. The student is expected to:

      1. (A) demonstrate verbal and non-verbal communication consistently in a clear, concise, and effective manner;
      2. (B) apply active listening skills to obtain and clarify information;
      3. (C) create and deliver formal and informal presentations effectively;
      4. (D) analyze, interpret, and effectively communicate information, data, and observations; and
      5. (E) observe and interpret verbal and nonverbal cues and behaviors to enhance communication.

   2. (2) The student implements advanced problem-solving methods. The student is expected to:

      1. (A) employ critical-thinking skills with increased fluency both independently and in groups to solve problems and make decisions;
      2. (B) analyze elements of problems to develop creative and innovative solutions; and
      3. (C) conduct technical research to gather information necessary for decision making.

   3. (3) The student understands and applies proper safety and security techniques in the workplace. The student is expected to:

      1. (A) demonstrate understanding of and consistently follow workplace safety rules and regulations;
      2. (B) apply safety rules in performing various workplace procedures according to industry standards; and
      3. (C) demonstrate safe and skillful tool care and use.

   4. (4) The student understands the professional, ethical, and legal responsibilities in interior design. The student is expected to:

      1. (A) demonstrate a positive, productive work ethic by performing assigned tasks as directed;
      2. (B) apply ethical reasoning to a variety of situations in order to make ethical decisions;
      3. (C) exhibit ethical practices as defined by the housing, furnishings, and equipment industries and
      4. (D) comply with all applicable rules, laws, and regulations in a consistent manner.

   5. (5) The student participates in a supervised interior design experience. The student is expected to:

      1. (A) conduct, document, and evaluate learning activities in a supervised interior design experience;
      2. (B) develop advanced technical knowledge and skills related to the student's occupational objective;
      3. (C) apply elements and principles of design for coordinating furnishings with advanced proficiency;
      4. (D) identify characteristics of materials and workmanship in relationship to appearance, performance, use, and care of furnishings;
      5. (E) demonstrate advanced procedures for the care and maintenance of different types of furnishings and equipment;
      6. (F) determine appropriate use of accessories, lighting, materials, and space in various environments;
      7. (G) arrange furniture and equipment to accommodate floor plans to meet needs and wants;
      8. (H) apply knowledge of design application, selection, and construction to complete furnishings projects;
      9. (I) evaluate strengths and weaknesses in technical skill proficiency; and
      10. (J) collect representative work samples.

Source Note:The provisions of this §127.154 adopted to be effective August 1, 2025, 50 TexReg 4421.