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)(1) 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 9-12. Recommended prerequisite or corequisite: Algebra I. 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 Manufacturing Career Cluster focuses on planning, managing, and performing the processing of materials into intermediate or final products and related professional and technical support activities such as production planning and control, maintenance, and manufacturing/process engineering.
   3. (3) Introduction to Welding will provide an introduction to welding technology with an emphasis on basic welding laboratory principles and operating procedures. Students will be introduced to the three basic welding processes. Topics include: industrial safety and health practices, hand tool and power machine use, measurement, laboratory operating procedures, welding power sources, welding career potentials, and introduction to welding codes and standards. Introduction to Welding will provide students with the knowledge, skills, and technologies required for employment in welding industries. Students will develop knowledge and skills related to welding and apply them to personal career development. This course supports integration of academic and technical knowledge and skills. Students will reinforce, apply, and transfer knowledge and skills to a variety of settings and problems. Knowledge about career opportunities, requirements, and expectations and the development of workplace skills will prepare students for future success.
   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 explores the characteristics of a successful worker in the global economy. The student is expected to:

      1. (A) determine academic knowledge and skills required for postsecondary education;
      2. (B) identify employers' expectations to foster positive customer satisfaction;
      3. (C) demonstrate the professional standards required in the workplace such as interviewing skills, flexibility, willingness to learn new skills and acquire knowledge, self-discipline, self-worth, positive attitude, and integrity in a work situation;
      4. (D) evaluate progress toward personal career goals;
      5. (E) communicate effectively with others in the workplace to clarify objectives; and
      6. (F) apply knowledge and skills to health and safety in the workplace as specified by appropriate governmental regulations.

   2. (2) The student evaluates the function and application of the tools, equipment, technologies, and materials used in welding. The student is expected to:

      1. (A) employ welding equipment according to safety standards;
      2. (B) identify and properly dispose of environmentally hazardous materials used in welding;
      3. (C) explain the importance of recycling materials used in welding;
      4. (D) choose appropriate personal protective equipment; and
      5. (E) evaluate skills related to health and safety in the workplace as specified by appropriate governmental regulations.

   3. (3) The student compares and contrasts welding joint design, material symbols, and welds. The student is expected to:

      1. (A) demonstrate knowledge of welding sketches; and
      2. (B) identify types of welds such as fillet, groove, spot, plug, and flanged.

   4. (4) The student applies academic skills in relationship to welding. The student is expected to:

      1. (A) demonstrate mathematical skills related to welding;
      2. (B) demonstrate technical writing skills related to welding;
      3. (C) apply accurate readings of measuring devices;
      4. (D) accurately use appropriate tools to make measurements;
      5. (E) solve problems using whole numbers, fractions, mixed numbers, and decimals;
      6. (F) perform conversions between fractions and decimals; and
      7. (G) perform conversions between standard units and metric units.

   5. (5) The student applies the concepts and skills of welding projects. The student is expected to:

      1. (A) explore careers in welding;
      2. (B) understand welding codes such as American Petroleum Institute (API) 1104 and American Welding Society (AWS) D1.1;
      3. (C) work independently to fabricate a variety of welded projects with minimal assistance; and
      4. (D) work collaboratively with other students.

   6. (6) The student performs oxy-fuel cutting processes on carbon steels. The student is expected to:

      1. (A) use safe operating practices;
      2. (B) perform safe handling of compressed gases;
      3. (C) identify components of oxy-fuel gas cutting;
      4. (D) demonstrate proper set-up procedures for the oxy-fuel process;
      5. (E) identify the factors affecting the oxy-fuel cutting of base metals; and
      6. (F) demonstrate proper cutting techniques such as piercing, straight line, and bevel;

   7. (7) The student performs shielded metal arc welding principles and practices on metals. The student is expected to:

      1. (A) use safe operating practices;
      2. (B) demonstrate knowledge of welding currents;
      3. (C) apply shielded metal arc welding principles;
      4. (D) demonstrate proper set-up procedure for shielded metal arc welding;
      5. (E) determine appropriate electrodes for base metal in shielded metal arc welding;
      6. (F) perform fillet and groove welds in all positions; and
      7. (G) prepare joints for welding.

   8. (8) The student performs gas metal arc welding principles and practices. The student is expected to:

      1. (A) use safe operating practices;
      2. (B) apply gas metal arc welding principles;
      3. (C) demonstrate proper set-up procedure for gas metal arc welding;
      4. (D) use appropriate equipment setup for base metal in gas metal arc welding; and
      5. (E) perform fillet and groove welds using gas metal arc welding with various metal transfer processes.

Source Note:The provisions of this §127.820 adopted to be effective August 1, 2025, 50 TexReg 4421.