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 Grades 10-12. 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 Arts, Audio Visual Technology, and Communications Career Cluster. Prerequisites: Commercial Photography I and Commercial Photography I Lab along with teacher recommendation. Corequisite: Practicum in Commercial Photography. This course must be taken concurrently with Practicum in Commercial Photography 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 Arts, Audio Visual Technology, and Communications Career Cluster focuses on careers in designing, producing, exhibiting, performing, writing, and publishing multimedia content, including visual and performing arts and design, journalism, and entertainment services.
   3. (3) Careers in commercial photography span all aspects of the industry from setting up a shot to delivering products in a competitive market. In addition to developing advanced technical knowledge and skills needed for success in the Arts, Audio Visual Technology, and Communications Career Cluster, students will be expected to develop an advanced technical understanding of the commercial photography industry with a focus on producing, promoting, and presenting professional quality photographs.
   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) analyze, interpret, and effectively communicate information, data, and observations;
      3. (C) present information formally and informally effectively;
      4. (D) apply active listening skills to obtain and clarify information; and
      5. (E) exhibit public relations skills to maintain internal and external customer/client satisfaction.
   2. (2) The student implements advanced problem-solving methods. The student is expected to employ critical-thinking skills with increased fluency both independently and in groups to solve problems and make decisions.
   3. (3) The student understands and applies proper safety techniques in the workplace. The student is expected to demonstrate understanding of and consistently follow workplace safety rules and regulations.

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

      1. (A) demonstrate a positive, productive work ethic by performing assigned tasks as directed;
      2. (B) practice ethical conduct related to interacting with others such as maintaining client confidentiality and privacy of sensitive content and providing proper credit for ideas; and
      3. (C) comply with all applicable rules, laws, and regulations in a consistent manner.

   5. (5) The student participates in a commercial photography experience. The student is expected to:

      1. (A) conduct, document, and evaluate learning activities in a supervised commercial photography experience;
      2. (B) demonstrate the use of appropriate cameras and lenses with increased proficiency;
      3. (C) apply appropriate photographic composition and layout principles with increased fluency;
      4. (D) apply effective photographic lighting techniques such as three point, studio, portraiture, and product with increased fluency;
      5. (E) produce professional-quality photographs;
      6. (F) demonstrate use of the most appropriate types of photographic paper for projects;
      7. (G) demonstrate use of the most appropriate solutions for mounting, matting, or framing photographs;
      8. (H) demonstrate use of appropriate, current, and industry-standard production processes to produce photographs;
      9. (I) demonstrate use of appropriate resolution and digital file formats;
      10. (J) demonstrate growth of technical skill competencies;
      11. (K) evaluate strengths and weaknesses in technical skill proficiency; and
      12. (L) collect representative work samples.

Source Note:The provisions of this §127.231 adopted to be effective August 1, 2025, 50 TexReg 4421.