2014 – 2015
Florida Department of Education
Curriculum Framework 

Program Title:	Parks and Leisure Services Technology		
Career Cluster:	Education and Training

AS	
CIP Number	1731010100	
Program Type	College Credit	
Standard Length	63 credit hours	
CTSO	N/A	
SOC Codes (all applicable) 	39-9032 – Recreation Workers	
Targeted Occupation List	http://www.labormarketinfo.com/wec/TargetOccupationList.htm	
Perkins Technical Skill Attainment Inventory	http://www.fldoe.org/workforce/perkins/perkins_resources.asp 	
Statewide Articulation	http://www.fldoe.org/workforce/dwdframe/artic_frame.asp 	

Purpose

This program offers a sequence of courses that provides coherent and rigorous content aligned with challenging academic standards and relevant technical knowledge and skills needed to prepare for further education and careers in the Education and Training career cluster; provides technical skill proficiency, and includes competency-based applied learning that contributes to the academic knowledge, higher-order reasoning and problem-solving skills, work attitudes, general employability skills, technical skills, and occupation-specific skills, and knowledge of all aspects of the Education and Training career cluster. 

The content includes but is not limited to philosophy, and scope of public and private sector parks and the recreation industry; techniques of community organization and the inter-relatedness of special agencies and institutions; park and recreation program planning, design, and implementation; general psychology; group dynamics; basic business and financial accounting skills; employability skills; leadership and human relations skills; and health and safety.  Additional Information relevant to this Career and Technical Education (CTE) program is provided at the end of this document.

Program Structure

This program is a planned sequence of instruction consisting of 63 credit hours.

Standards

After successfully completing this program, the student will be able to perform the following:

01.0	Describe the characteristics and unique demands of operating public, private, and not for     profit parks and recreation programs.
02.0	Display an understanding of park and recreation program application to individuals and groups with special needs.              
03.0	Describe outdoor and indoor park and recreation facility types and programs and appropriate equipment for each facility.
04.0	Program, implement, and evaluate age appropriate park (e.g. environmental education) and recreation (e.g. sports) activities and events.
05.0	Program, implement, and evaluate age appropriate park and recreation activities and events for individuals and groups with special needs.	
06.0	Lead recreation and parks activities and events.
07.0	Describe the importance of public and interagency relations.
08.0	Demonstrate employability skills. 

2014 – 2015
Florida Department of Education
Student Performance Standards

Program Title:	Parks and Leisure Services Technology	
CIP Number:	1731010100
Program Length:	63 credit hours	
SOC Code:	39-9032	

The AS degree requires the inclusion of a minimum of 15 credits of general education coursework according to SACS, and it must be transferable according to Rule 6A-14.030 (2), F.A.C.  At the completion of this program, the student will be able to:	
01.0	Describe the characteristics and unique demands of operating public, private, and not for profit parks and recreation programs. – The student will be able to:	
01.01	Summarize the history of the American parks and recreation industry.	
01.02	Outline of the characteristics and requirements of public parks and recreation facilities.	
01.03	List the characteristics and requirements of private and not for profit parks and recreation facilities.	
01.04	Describe parks and recreation programming as defined by the leisure industry.	
02.0	Display an understanding of park and recreation program application to individuals and groups with special needs. – The student will be able to:	
02.01	Describe the characteristics of the five most prevalent developmental, mental, and physical disability types and the limitations associated with each.                	
02.02	Identify the social, recreational and physical adaptation needs of this group after visiting a facility for physically and developmentally delayed individuals.	
02.03	List the teaching modifications for each student after visiting a facility for disabled individuals.	
02.04	Research and report on the variety of organizations supporting the recreation needs of special populations.	
03.0	Describe outdoor and indoor park and recreation facility types and programs and appropriate equipment for each facility. – The student will be able to:	
03.01	List the types of outdoor park and recreation venues and their purposes.	
03.02	Describe the necessary equipment for a variety of outdoor park and recreation programs.	
03.03	Explain the requirements to maintain outdoor park and recreation venues in the local area (e.g. irrigation system compliance with applicable codes).	
03.04	List the types of indoor park and recreation venues and their purposes.	
03.05	Describe the necessary equipment for a variety of indoor park and recreation programs.	
03.06	Explain the requirements to maintain indoor park and recreation venues and equipment.	
04.0	Program, implement, and evaluate age appropriate park (e.g. environmental education) and recreation (e.g. Sports) activities and events. – The student will be able to:	
04.01	Describe the developmental stages of the lifespan. 	
04.02	Assess leisure needs, interests, and desires of people in the different lifespan stages. 	
04.03	Explain the implications for planning, organizing and delivering recreation for participants at various lifespan points.	
04.04	Program appropriate park (e.g. environmental education) and recreation (e.g. sports) activities for participants at varying points in their lifespan.	
04.05	Organize an age appropriate competition for participants at varying points in their lifespan. 	
04.06	Research and report on the variety of organizations supporting the recreation needs of society.	
05.0	Program, implement, and evaluate age appropriate park and recreation activities and events for individuals and groups with special needs. – The student will be able to:	
05.01	Organize an age appropriate competition for physically challenged individuals. 	
05.02	Organize an age appropriate fitness or aquatics program for mentally challenged or developmentally delayed individuals.	
05.03	Plan a Special Olympics meet for the disabled.	
06.0	Lead recreation and parks activities and events. – The student will be able to:	
06.01	Apply basic principles of leadership in role-play situations.	
06.02	Describe and role-play basic conflict resolution.	
06.03	Work with a team to complete recreation and parks tasks and projects.	
06.04	Describe the importance of maintaining appropriate documentation of maintenance, services, incidents, programs, and events, including financial records. 	
06.05	Identify services that must be provided when hosting large municipal, county, or civic events in a park setting, including, but not limited to: crowd control, security, traffic, parking, lost/missing persons, first aid, and food and beverage services. 	
06.06	Identify various public and/or private agencies with which park staff might interact to provide the services listed above.	
07.0	Describe the importance of public and interagency relations. – The student will be able to:	
07.01	Demonstrate methods of interagency communication and cooperation with law enforcement, fire and emergency medical services providers.	
07.02	Understand the importance of maintaining a good working relationship with the media.	
07.03	Produce basic promotional materials.	
07.04	Explain why it is important to maintain a positive relationship with local government(s) and the community.	
07.05	Identify effective ways to communicate with elders, juveniles, trespassers, and transients.	
07.06	Demonstrate crisis prevention and intervention techniques by deescalating conflict.	
08.0	Demonstrate employability skills in the parks and recreation services industry. – The student will be able to:	
08.01	Describe career skills, training and education needed for a career as a Parks and Recreation Program Specialist.	
08.02	Conduct a job search and identify advanced-training opportunities and requirements in the parks industry.	
08.03	Obtain information on different job titles, licensing requirements, job responsibilities, rates of pay, employee benefits, work conditions, risks, and opportunities for career advancement in the parks and recreation industry.	
08.04	Secure information about a specific available job in the Parks and Recreation industry.	
08.05	Identify documents that may be required when applying for a job.	
08.06	Write a resume and modify it for different types of parks and recreation services jobs.	
08.07	Write a letter of introduction to a prospective employer.	
08.08	Obtain and complete sample application forms for employment as a parks employee.	
08.09	Demonstrate appropriate demeanor and interview techniques with prospective employers.	
08.10	Identify work habits of successful employees.	
08.11	Describe methods of making job changes appropriately.	
08.12	Demonstrate appropriate responses to performance evaluations from supervisors and others in the workplace.	

Additional Information

Laboratory Activities

Laboratory activities are an integral part of this program.  These activities include instruction in the use of safety procedures, tools, equipment, materials, and processes related to these occupations.  Equipment and supplies should be provided to enhance hands-on experiences for students. Access to specialized equipment (e.g., for sports and for parks maintenance) is required.

Special Notes

The purpose of this program is to prepare students for employment as entry level park and recreation facility supervisors, program coordinators, and activity directors (SOC 39-9032) in public and private, park and recreation settings and to provide supplemental training for persons previously or currently employed in these occupations.

This program focuses on planning, management, finance, technical and production skills, underlying principles of technology, labor issues, teambuilding, grounds and facilities, customer service, community issues and health, safety and environmental issues.

Planned and supervised occupational activities may be provided through directed laboratory experience; clinical practicum in several park and/or recreation areas, both indoor and outdoor; or cooperative experience as effective teaching/learning strategies.

Accommodations

Federal and state legislation requires the provision of accommodations for students with disabilities as identified on the secondary student’s Individual Educational Plan (IEP) or 504 plan or postsecondary student’s accommodations’ plan to meet individual needs and ensure equal access.  Postsecondary students with disabilities must self-identify, present documentation, request accommodations if needed, and develop a plan with their counselor and/or instructors.  Accommodations received in postsecondary education may differ from those received in secondary education.  Accommodations change the way the student is instructed.  Students with disabilities may need accommodations in such areas as instructional methods and materials, assignments and assessments, time demands and schedules, learning environment, assistive technology and special communication systems.  Documentation of the accommodations requested and provided should be maintained in a confidential file.

Articulation

To be transferable statewide between institutions, this program must have been reviewed, and a “transfer value” assigned the curriculum content by the appropriate Statewide Course Numbering System discipline committee.  This does not preclude institutions from developing specific articulation agreements with each other. 

For details on articulation agreements which correlate to programs and industry certifications refer to http://www.fldoe.org/workforce/dwdframe/artic_frame.asp .

Program Length

The AS degree requires the inclusion of a minimum of 15 credits of general education coursework according to SACS, and it must be transferable according to Rule 6A-14.030 (2), F.A.C.  The standard length of this program is 63 credit hours according to Rule 6A-14.030, F.A.C.