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 11 and 12. The practicum course is a paid or unpaid capstone experience for students participating in a coherent sequence of courses in the Law and Public Service Career Cluster. 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.

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 Law and Public Service Career Cluster focuses on planning, managing, and providing legal services, public safety, protective services, and homeland security, including professional and technical support services.
   3. (3) Students in the Practicum in Local, State, and Federal Government will concurrently learn advanced concepts of political science and government workings in the classroom setting and in the workplace. In addition, students will apply technical skills pertaining to government and public administration in a direct mentorship by individuals in professional settings such as government, public management and administration, national security, municipal planning, foreign service, revenue, taxation, and regulation.
   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 analyzes classical and modern political theories. The student is expected to:

      1. (A) review the works of theorists such as Plato, Aristotle, Cicero, Machiavelli, Confucius, Hobbes, Locke, Hegel, and Marx; and
      2. (B) analyze contributions to modern political science from classical theorists such as Polybius, St. Thomas Aquinas, Dante, Bodin, Montesquieu, Kautilya, Ibn Khaldun, Hume, Rousseau, Kant, Smith, Nietzsche, Gandhi, and Keynes.

   2. (2) The student analyzes the U.S. Constitution and constitutional law. The student is expected to:

      1. (A) review basic information related to the U.S. Constitution such as the Articles of Confederation, framers of the Constitution, constitutional conventions, separation of powers, checks and balances, ratification, and the amendment process; and
      2. (B) create a classroom Constitution and Bill of Rights simulating the U.S. Constitution.
   3. (3) The student explores government ethics. The student is expected to formulate a plan for avoiding ethical problems in the future.

   4. (4) The student conducts a project using analytical problem-solving techniques. The student is expected to:

      1. (A) research a problem such as a government and public administration issue, a feasibility study, or a product evaluation;
      2. (B) investigate the issues associated with the problem;
      3. (C) collect primary data such as interviews, surveys, and observations;
      4. (D) express thoughts logically and sequentially in preparing a formal report;
      5. (E) interpret and present quantitative data in graph format within the report;
      6. (F) prepare visuals and handouts to support the presentation; and
      7. (G) make a final presentation of the study to the appropriate stakeholders.

   5. (5) The student documents knowledge and skills attained in the practicum. The student is expected to:

      1. (A) update a professional portfolio to include recognitions, awards, scholarships, a resume, a sample of work, and an evaluation from the practicum supervisor; and
      2. (B) present the portfolio to interested stakeholders.

Source Note:The provisions of this §127.802 adopted to be effective August 1, 2025, 50 TexReg 4421.