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Specific rules applicable to career preparation courses are found in Section 5.7.1 Career Preparation Eligibility Requirements. The rules apply to both Career Preparation I and Career Preparation II.

Click each category below for a list of applicable rules.

 

CTE career preparation units of credit are based on the average number of hours the student spends in classroom and work-based instruction. Below is the Student Attendance Accounting Handbook chart used to determine units of credit (contact hours) and CTE codes for the PEIMS 410 record.

 

 

 

Career Preparation Units of Credit Chart

Classroom Instruction	Work-Based Instruction	Units of Credit	PEIMS 410 Record Code
1 hour per day (average)	10 hours per week (average)	2	V2
1 hour per day (average)	15 hours per week (average)	3	V3

 

The rules for practicum courses are slightly different than those for career preparation courses. These rules can be found in Section 5.7.2 Practicum Course Eligibility Requirements in the Student Attendance Accounting Handbook. These rules apply to all of the CTE practicum courses and other courses found in 19 TAC §130 that provide for WBL experiences.

Click each category below for a list of associated requirements.

The chart used to determine units of credit and CTE codes for the PEIMS 410 record for a paid practicum learning experience is identical to the chart for career preparation courses, as shown below.

Paid Practicum Units of Credit Chart

Classroom Instruction	Work-Based Instruction	Units of Credit	PEIMS 410 Record Code
1 hour per day (average)	10 hours per week (average)	2	V2
1 hour per day (average)	15 hours per week (average)	3	V3

The chart used to determine units of credit and PEIMS 410 record codes for an unpaid practicum learning experience is slightly different. Note that the units of credit are based on the combined total of classroom and/or work-based instruction.

Unpaid Practicum Units of Credit Chart

Classroom and/or Work-Based Instruction	Units of Credit	PEIMS 410 Record Code
2 hours per day (average)	2	V2
3 hours per day (average)	3	V3

While WBL instructors are not expected to become experts in student attendance accounting or PEIMS coding, the following points are important to remember:

1. Both paid and unpaid WBL students in CTE practicum courses must spend a minimum of one hour per day on average in classroom instruction, regardless of the units of credit.
2. CTE practicum students engaged in a paid learning experience must average a minimum of 10 hours per school week at their training site.
   • Students who will average between 10 and 15 hours should be enrolled in only the appropriate practicum course (2 credits). 
   • Students who average 15 or more hours per school week should be enrolled in the appropriate practicum with the Extended Practicum (3 credits total).
3. It is also important to be sure students are not working too many hours. While no maximum is established, the teacher should be sure that the work load does not interfere with the student's academic and social development.

According to Section 5.7.3 of the SAAH, written training plans must be on file for any student in a paid or unpaid WBL experience at an approved training site. The only exception is for a student in an unpaid practicum for which the teacher of record provides all the training. There are different requirements for paid and unpaid work experiences.

Click each category below for the requirements for paid and unpaid work experiences.

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Section 7 of this course provides step-by-step instructions for completing training plan agreements and downloadable blank forms.

Section 5.7 of the SAAH lists the following requirements for teacher assigned to teach courses involving WBL experiences, both paid and unpaid:

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  Teachers must visit each student training site at least six times each school year.
• Teachers must be provided time within his or her schedule to visit the training sites.
• Training site visits may not be conducted during the teacher’s planning and preparation period.
• Teachers must make at least one training site visit during each grading period, regardless of the length of a grading period.

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Section 8 of this course provides specific tips for conducting training site visits.