(a) General requirements.

(1) Students may be awarded one-half to one credit for successful completion of this comprehensive course. The recommended prerequisite for this course is Business Computer Information Systems I. This course is recommended for students in Grades 10-12.

(2) Students may be awarded one to three credits for successful completion of this course if in a laboratory or cooperative instructional setting. The recommended prerequisite for this course is Business Computer Information Systems I. This course is recommended for students in Grades 11-12. The workplace competencies may be added to the course content by the teacher.

(b) Introduction. Students recognize, evaluate, and prepare for a rapidly evolving global business environment that requires flexibility and adaptability. Students implement personal and interpersonal skills to strengthen individual performance in the workplace and in society and to make a successful transition to the workforce and/or postsecondary education. Students analyze the social responsibility of business and industry regarding the significant issues relating to the environment, ethics, health, safety, and diversity in society and in the workplace. Students apply technical skills to address business applications of emerging technologies. Students develop a foundation in the economical, financial, technological, international, social, and ethical aspects of business to become competent consumers, employees, and entrepreneurs. Students enhance reading, writing, computing, communications, and reasoning skills and apply them to the business environment.

(c) Knowledge and skills.

(1) The student develops skills necessary to address a changing business environment. The student is expected to:

(A) design, conduct, and analyze a survey to identify business trends and changes; and

(B) identify a business problem, determine alternative solutions, and defend a recommendation.

(2) The student develops skills for success in the workplace. The student is expected to:

(A) exhibit productive work habits and attitudes;

(B) prioritize work to fulfill responsibilities and meet deadlines; and

(C) demonstrate characteristics for successful working relationships, for example, give and receive criticism, and exercise self-control.

(3) The student appraises the components of productivity. The student is expected to:

(A) plan projects considering time and resource management utilizing current and emerging technologies;

(B) identify the requirements for an ergonomically-sound work environment; and

(C) identify tasks necessary to complete a job.

(4) The student examines employment opportunities in various business environments. The student is expected to:

(A) describe the impact of technological change on computer information systems positions and the resulting need for life-long learning and retraining;

(B) evaluate employment packages by studying various business options, including:

(i) cafeteria plan;

(ii) individual retirement plan (IRA);

(iii) tax sheltered annuities;

(iv) retirement;

(v) commission;

(vi) benefits; and

(vii) transportation assistance; and

(C) research employment opportunities in the field of computer information systems; and

(D) prepare a personal portfolio for employment purposes, including:

(i) letters of application;

(ii) resumes;

(iii) reference sheets; and

(iv) examples of achievement.

(5) The student relates concepts of integrity and confidentiality to the business environment. The student is expected to:

(A) analyze the effects of ethical practices on a business; and

(B) analyze the risks of a breach of confidentiality.

(6) The student analyzes and implements appropriate technology as tools to address business needs. The student is expected to:

(A) select and apply appropriate technology as tools to address business needs;

(B) research emerging information systems tools;

(C) perform specific tasks using appropriate specialized hardware and software;

(D) format and produce business documents for mailing, including:

(i) merged mail, lists, and reports;

(ii) integrated financial reports;

(iii) payroll reports; and

(iv) technical reports; and

(E) research and develop a business project incorporating data imported from various sources; and

(F) select and apply technology to process and manipulate text, graphics, and other images.

(7) The student applies a presentation system. The student is expected to:

(A) identify standards and styles of multimedia presentations;

(B) identify guidelines for using graphics, sound, and video objects in text documents and presentations;

(C) integrate multimedia functions into text documents; and

(D) prepare documents and presentations using the appropriate medium.

(8) The student designs solutions to mathematical business problems using spreadsheet technology. The student is expected to:

(A) recognize and apply lookup tables, built-in functions, macros, and advanced charts and graphs;

(B) determine the uses of spreadsheets with currencies other than the dollar based on current market value;

(C) create and interpret financial statements, including:

(i) comparisons and projections;

(ii) predictions and forecasts;

(iii) trend analysis; and

(iv) charts and graphs; and

(D) produce a future-value, investment-analysis worksheet, including:

(i) macros;

(ii) what-if assumptions; and

(iii) advanced functions.

(9) The student follows procedures of data management. The student is expected to:

(A) design a database to solve business problems; and

(B) research multiple databases to develop a sales forecast presentation.

(10) The student exchanges information via telecommunications software with appropriate supervision. The student is expected to:

(A) exhibit correct telecommunications ethics and etiquette;

(B) develop guidelines for using on-line services; and

(C) research world-wide information via telecommunications, including:

(i) cyberpals;

(ii) global surveys; and

(iii) research.

(11) The student applies a publishing system. The student is expected to:

(A) identify technologies available for publishing documents;

(B) adhere to established standards and styles of publishing; and

(C) publish documents, including:

(i) instructional manuals;

(ii) employment portfolios;

(iii) multiple-page newsletters; and

(iv) business brochures.

(12) The student analyzes computer operating systems and emerging technologies. The student is expected to:

(A) select operating systems, environments, and utilities appropriate to specific hardware and software;

(B) apply operating systems commands;

(C) import, export, and merge data stored in different formats; and

(D) research emerging operating systems.

(13) The student identifies the concepts of a computer network. The student is expected to:

(A) research options for connecting one computer to another; and

(B) access data storage and output devices using a network.

(14) The student demonstrates procedures for maintaining the security of computerized information. The student is expected to:

(A) research controls for information systems facilities, data, communications, and applications appropriate to specific risks;

(B) research law and legislation concerning electronic security breeches; and

(C) apply procedures used to restart and recover from situations such as system failure and computer virus.

Source: The provisions of this §120.64 adopted to be effective September 1, 1998, 22 TexReg 4985.