1. (a) Implementation.

   1. (1) The provisions of this section shall be implemented by school districts beginning with the 2025-2026 school year.
   2. (2) School districts shall implement the employability skills student expectations listed in §127.15(d)(1) of this chapter (relating to Career and Technical Education Employability Skills, Adopted 2025) as an integral part of this course.
2. (b) General requirements. This course is recommended for students in Grades 10-12. Recommended prerequisite: Geographic Information Systems. 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 career cluster focuses on the design, development, support, and management of hardware, software, multimedia, and systems integration services. This career cluster includes occupations ranging from software developer and programmer to cybersecurity specialist and network analyst.
   3. (3) In Raster-Based Geographic Information Systems (GIS), students study local problems; acquire information, including images or aerial photographs; process the acquired data; and merge the acquired data with vector data. Students plan, conduct, and present solutions for locally based 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 demonstrates knowledge of the GIS field and related careers. The student is expected to:

      1. (A) identify employment and career opportunities in GIS-related fields;
      2. (B) identify and explore career preparation learning experiences, including job shadowing, mentoring, apprenticeship training, and preparation programs;
      3. (C) identify industry certifications for GIS-related careers, including careers related to raster-based GIS; and
      4. (D) discuss and analyze ethical issues related to GIS and technology and incorporate proper ethics in submitted projects.

   2. (2) The student explores various roles in team projects. The student is expected to:

      1. (A) explain the importance of teamwork in the field of GIS;
      2. (B) describe principles of effective teamwork, including collaboration and conflict resolution; and
      3. (C) explain common characteristics of strong team leaders and team members.

   3. (3) The student investigates the history and use of aerial photography. The student is expected to:

      1. (A) explain fundamental principles of cameras and lenses as they pertain to GIS and aerial photography;
      2. (B) research and explain the history of aerial photography, including aerial platforms;
      3. (C) explain various uses of aerial photography;
      4. (D) compare vertical and oblique aerial photography; and
      5. (E) identify cities, bridges, shorelines, roads and other important features in aerial photos.

   4. (4) The student develops an understanding of electromagnetic and thermal radiation. The student is expected to:

      1. (A) explain how forms of radiation propagate through space and interact with matter;
      2. (B) research and describe the behavior of waves, including refraction, scattering, absorption, and reflection, in relation to radiation;
      3. (C) describe the properties and laws of thermal radiation;
      4. (D) compare the particle and wave models of electromagnetic energy;
      5. (E) differentiate maps based on electromagnetic versus thermal radiation imagery; and
      6. (F) evaluate whether electromagnetic or thermal radiation imagery is appropriate based on the conditions.

   5. (5) The student explores active and passive microwave remote sensing. The student is expected to:

      1. (A) compare active and passive microwave remote sensing;
      2. (B) explain geographic characteristics, including surface roughness, moisture content, vegetation, backscatter and biomass, and urban structures, detected by remote sensing images; and
      3. (C) provide a detailed analysis of radar images.

   6. (6) The student learns the functions and applications of the tools, equipment, and materials used in GIS and raster-based analysis. The student is expected to:

      1. (A) describe how to use raster-based software;
      2. (B) download spatial data and raster images and re-project the data and images to match the Digital Orthophoto Quadrangle (DOQ) or Digital Orthophoto Quarter Quadrangle (DOQQ);
      3. (C) identify remote sensing equipment and describe the difference between the Global Positioning System (GPS) and the Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS);
      4. (D) describe GPS measurements and perform measurements with handheld GPS devices using GPS or GLONASS systems; and
      5. (E) compare the advantages, disadvantages, and limitations of remote or unmanned sensing.

   7. (7) The student uses scientific practices in imagery analysis. The student is expected to:

      1. (A) plan and implement investigative procedures, including asking questions, formulating testable hypotheses, and selecting, handling, and maintaining appropriate equipment and technology;
      2. (B) collect GIS data;
      3. (C) organize, analyze, evaluate, make inferences, and predict trends from GIS data; and
      4. (D) communicate valid conclusions using appropriate GIS vocabulary, supportive maps, summaries, oral reports, and technology-based reports.

   8. (8) The student uses project-management skills to research and analyze locally based problems. The student is expected to:

      1. (A) identify and collect data necessary to evaluate a local problem, including defining the problem and identifying locations of the concern;
      2. (B) develop a plan and project schedule for completion of a project developed to address a local concern using raster-based GIS technology;
      3. (C) create a GIS map to illustrate a problem using remote sensing images gathered from sites such as the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrations, and United States Geological Survey;
      4. (D) evaluate GIS map features to identify solutions to a problem;
      5. (E) develop solutions to minimize, reverse, or solve problem using raster-based GIS technology; and
      6. (F) organize and present findings related to a local problem in a final report or portfolio with data and solutions generated using raster-based GIS technology.

Source Note:The provisions of this §127.698 adopted to be effective August 1, 2025, 50 TexReg 3752.