In Texas, public school districts are responsible for ensuring that each teacher assigned to a career preparation or practicum course has completed appropriate training in state and federal requirements regarding work-based learning and safety.

This training is designed to help teachers who will be coordinating student work-based learning (WBL) experiences for the first time. It covers the basic information needed to implement work-based learning at Texas high schools.

It is the expectation of the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and the State Board for Educator Certification that WBL instructors will continue to enhance their knowledge and skills by participating in additional professional development opportunities after completing this online training.

Course Outline

Section 1: Work-Based Learning Concepts and Terminology
After completing this section, learners will be able to describe basic work-based learning (WBL) concepts and terminology that are taught as part of career and technical education (CTE) programs in Texas secondary schools.

This section will take approximately 60 minutes to complete.

• Lesson 1.1: Introducing Work-Based Learning
• Lesson 1.2: Career Development Process and Programs
• Lesson 1.3: Career and Technical Education Concepts
• Lesson 1.4: Overview of WBL Courses in Texas Schools
• Section 1 Quiz

Section 2: Federal and State Education Laws and Rules Impacting WBL
After completing this section, learners will be able to describe general state and federal education laws and rules, and explain their impact on WBL.

This section will take approximately 45 minutes to complete.

• Lesson 2.1: Federal Education Laws Impacting WBL
• Lesson 2.2: State Laws and Rules Governing WBL
• Lesson 2.3: State Laws and Rules Governing WBL Teacher Certifications and Assignments
• Lesson 2.4: State Laws and Rules Governing Educator Ethics and Conduct
• Section 2 Quiz

Section 3: Texas Education Agency Rules Impacting WBL
After completing this section, learners will be able to describe Texas Education Agency (TEA) rules related to work-based learning (WBL), with an emphasis on Section V of the Student Attendance Accounting Handbook (SAAH) rules and policies regarding career preparation and practicum courses, as well as career and technical education (CTE) funding and coding guidelines, and transportation allotment rules.

This section will take approximately 45 minutes to complete.

• Lesson 3.1: SAAH Rules for CTE Funding and Attendance
• Lesson 3.2: SAAH Rules for Work-Based Learning Experiences
• Lesson 3.3: Transportation Allotment for CTE Programs
• Section 3 Quiz

Section 4: Local School Policies
After completing this section, learners will be able to identify local school policies pertaining to work-based learning (WBL) experiences, and explain how those polices are typically applied.

This section will take approximately 30 minutes to complete.

• Lesson 4.1: General Local Education Agency (LEA) Policies
• Lesson 4.2: CTE Policies and Procedures Manual
• Lesson 4.3: WBL Program Handbook
• Section 4 Quiz

Section 5: Workplace Laws and Rules
After completing this section, learners will be able to identify workplace laws and rules that must be considered when overseeing student WBL experiences, and where to find additional information and resources related to the laws and rules.

This section will take approximately 45 minutes to complete.

• Lesson 5.1: Child Labor Laws and Standards
• Lesson 5.2: Youth Worker Health and Safety
• Lesson 5.3: Wage and Hour Considerations for Texas Youth
• Lesson 5.4: Other Federal Laws Impacting Youth Workers
• Section 5 Quiz

Section 6: WBL Training Stations
After completing this section, learners will be able to identify and select appropriate training stations for students' WBL experiences, specifically for students enrolled in career preparation or practicum courses.

This section will take approximately 45 minutes to complete.

• Lesson 6.1: WBL Training Plan Terms
• Lesson 6.2: Identifying Appropriate WBL Training Sites
• Lesson 6.3: Recruiting Business Partners and Training Sites
• Lesson 6.4: Communicating Responsibilities to Training Sponsors
• Lesson 6.5: Conducting Training Site Visits
• Section 6 Quiz

Section 7: Training Plan for Career Preparation and Practicum Courses
After completing this section, learners will be able to correctly complete typical training plans for career preparation and practicum courses.

This section will take approximately 30 minutes to complete.

• Lesson 7.1: The Training Plan
• Lesson 7.2: Completing Training Plan Forms
• Section 7 Quiz

Section 8: Recordkeeping and Documentation for WBL
After completing this section, learners will be able to identify the required and recommended records that should be kept when coordinating work-based learning (WBL) experiences, with an emphasis on those records career preparation or practicum teachers must produce and maintain.

This section will take approximately 20 minutes to complete.

• Lesson 8.1: Recordkeeping Requirements
• Lesson 8.2: Creating a WBL Filing System
• Section 8 Quiz

Section 9: Timeline for Implementing a WBL Program
After completing this section, learners will be able to describe the critical tasks and typical timeline for implementing WBL in career preparation and practicum courses.

This section will take approximately 30 minutes to complete.

• Lesson 9.1: Summer Months
• Lesson 9.2: Beginning of the School Year
• Lesson 9.3: Recurring WBL Activities
• Lesson 9.4: Winter and Spring Activities
• Lesson 9.5: Evaluation and Grading WBL Students
• Lesson 9.6: Preparing for Next Fall
• Section 9 Quiz

Section 10: Classroom Tips for WBL
After completing this section, learners will be able to describe recommended practices for implementing the classroom component of WBL.

This section will take approximately 60 minutes to complete.

• Lesson 10.1: Establishing Class Expectations
• Lesson 10.2: Managing the WBL Classroom
• Lesson 10.3: WBL Assignments and Activities
• Lesson 10.4: Preparing Students for Licensures and Certificates
• Lesson 10.5: Integrating CTSO Activities
• Lesson 10.6: Working with Special Populations
• Lesson 10.7: Involving Advisory Committees and the Community
• Lesson 10.8: Teaching Job Safety
• Section 10 Quiz

Section 11: Career Cluster-Specific Considerations
After completing this section, learners will be able to describe the sixteen career clusters and the cluster-specific considerations when offering practicum courses and other WBL experiences.

This section will take approximately 90 minutes to complete if you take all 16 lessons.

• Lesson 11.1: Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (AFNR)
• Lesson 11.2: Architecture and Construction
• Lesson 11.3: Arts, Audio Visual Technology and Communications
• Lesson 11.4: Business Management and Administration
• Lesson 11.5: Education and Training
• Lesson 11.6: Finance
• Lesson 11.7: Government and Public Administration
• Lesson 11.8: Health Science
• Lesson 11.9: Hospitality and Tourism
• Lesson 11.10: Human Services
• Lesson 11.11: Informational Technology
• Lesson 11.12: Law, Public Safety, Corrections, and  Security
• Lesson 11.13: Manufacturing
• Lesson 11.14: Marketing
• Lesson 11.15: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
• Lesson 11.16: Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics

Note: No Section 11 Quiz

Section 12: Beyond the WBL Experience and Graduation
After completing this section, learners will be able to describe topics and activities that can be incorporated into WBL experiences to better prepare students for postsecondary education and entry into their chosen careers.

This section will take approximately 30 minutes to complete.

• Lesson 12.1: College and Career Readiness
• Lesson 12.2: Post-Secondary Opportunities
• Lesson 12.3: WBL Activities for Students
• Section 12 Quiz