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. Recommended prerequisites: Principles of Information Technology, Computer Maintenance, and Computer Maintenance Lab. Recommended corequisite: Networking Lab. Students shall be awarded one credit for successful completion of this course.

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 Information Technology (IT) Career Cluster focuses on building linkages in IT occupations for entry level, technical, and professional careers related to the design, development, support, and management of hardware, software, multimedia, and systems integration services.
   3. (3) In Networking, students will develop knowledge of the concepts and skills related to data networking technologies and practices in order to apply them to personal or career development. To prepare for success, students will have opportunities to reinforce, apply, and transfer knowledge and skills to a variety of settings and problems.
   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 identifies various employment opportunities in the IT field. The student is expected to:

      1. (A) select and research a specific job area with its accompanying duties and tasks;
      2. (B) formulate a personal career plan along with the education, job skills, and experience necessary to achieve career goals; and
      3. (C) develop a resume.

   2. (2) The student relates core academic skills to the requirements of telecommunications and data network services. The student is expected to:

      1. (A) demonstrate effective verbal and written communication skills with individuals from varied cultures such as fellow workers, management, and customers;
      2. (B) complete work orders for repair and installation;
      3. (C) estimate supplies, materials, and labor costs on installation, maintenance, and repair work orders; and
      4. (D) interpret technical documentation such as schematics, drawings, charts, diagrams, technical manuals, and bulletins.

   3. (3) The student acquires an understanding of telecommunications and data network services. The student is expected to:

      1. (A) explain digital and analog electronics theory;
      2. (B) demonstrate knowledge of binary in relation to Internet Protocol (IP) addressing;
      3. (C) distinguish the differences between a data packet and voice communications;
      4. (D) define the layers and functions of the Open System Interconnection model;
      5. (E) explain Transport Control Protocol and IP fundamentals, including subnetting;
      6. (F) distinguish between public and private networks;
      7. (G) describe the standards and operations of wireless technologies in telecommunications and data networks;
      8. (H) differentiate between types of networks;
      9. (I) identify national standards for data communication; and
      10. (J) identify the potential benefits and problems for the future of telecommunications and data networking.

   4. (4) The student analyzes various types of configurations and upgrading. The student is expected to:

      1. (A) demonstrate understanding of components of telecommunications and data networks;
      2. (B) identify major network operating systems;
      3. (C) distinguish between different types of cables used in the telecommunications and data networking;
      4. (D) describe telecommunications and data networking media and connectors;
      5. (E) differentiate among computer network topologies;
      6. (F) explain the distinction between connectionless and connection transport;
      7. (G) explain the use of Transport Control Protocol and IP utilities;
      8. (H) explain how to test, validate, and troubleshoot IP connectivity; and
      9. (I) identify good practices to ensure network security.

   5. (5) The student recognizes and recommends the various types of network components to address industry needs. The student is expected to:

      1. (A) analyze various types and components of networks; and
      2. (B) analyze the characteristics of networks to select the optimum configuration for an industry solution.

   6. (6) The student develops a network design plan. The student is expected to:

      1. (A) produce planning documentation required prior to network implementation;
      2. (B) explain the impact of environmental factors on computer networks;
      3. (C) identify common peripheral ports and common network components such as hubs, routers, and switches;
      4. (D) develop an addressing scheme, including a subnetting chart;
      5. (E) specify the tools that are commonly used to resolve network equipment problems;
      6. (F) identify vendor testing documentation such as patches, fixes, and upgrades;
      7. (G) demonstrate standard backup procedures and backup media storage practices; and
      8. (H) identify the factors that might affect performance in a network environment such as logic or frequency spectrum interference.

   7. (7) The student provides support to computer users to maintain service. The student is expected to:

      1. (A) develop a written disaster recovery plan; and
      2. (B) develop a written preventive maintenance plan.

Source Note:The provisions of this §127.681 adopted to be effective August 1, 2025, 50 TexReg 4421.