2018 - 2019
Florida Department of Education
Curriculum Framework 

Program Title:	Graphic Arts Technology
Career Cluster:	Arts A/V Technology and Communication

AS	
CIP Number	1611080301	
Program Type	College Credit	
Standard Length	64 credit hours	
CTSO	SkillsUSA	
SOC Codes (all applicable) 	27-1024 – Graphic Designers	
CTE Program Resources 	http://www.fldoe.org/academics/career-adult-edu/career-tech-edu/program-resources.stml	

Purpose

The purpose of this program is to prepare students for employment as printing operations managers.  This program also provides supplemental training for persons previously or currently employed in this occupation.

The course content includes the following: pre-press, press and post-press operations, administration, copy preparation, stripping black and white, line graphic photo processes, offset presswork, estimating, graphic arts halftone processes and color reproduction technology.  The course content should also include training in communication, leadership, human relations and employability skills, and safe, efficient work practices.

This program focuses on broad, transferable skills and stresses understanding and demonstration of the following elements of the Graphic Arts industry: planning, management, finance, technical and product skills, underlying principles of technology, labor issues, community issues and health, safety, and environmental issues.

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 Arts A/V Technology and Communication 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 Arts A/V Technology and Communication career cluster. 

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 64 credit hours.
Standards

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

01.0	Perform reproduction process operations.
02.0	Perform estimating operations.
03.0	Perform graphic design operations.
04.0	Perform typographical operations.
05.0	Perform copy preparation operations.
06.0	Perform line graphic photo operations.
07.0	Perform graphic arts halftone operations.
08.0	Perform color reproduction operations.
09.0	Perform stripping operations.
10.0	Perform proofing and plate-making operations.
11.0	Perform offset operations.
12.0	Perform finishing operations.
13.0	Demonstrate appropriate communication skills.
14.0	Demonstrate appropriate math skills.
15.0	Demonstrate appropriate understanding of basic science.
16.0	Demonstrate employability skills.
17.0	Demonstrate an understanding of entrepreneurship.

2018 - 2019
Florida Department of Education
Student Performance Standards

Program Title:	Graphic Arts Technology
CIP Numbers:	1611080301
Program Length:	64 credit hours
SOC Code(s):	27-1024

Refer to Rule 6A-14.030 (4), F.A.C., for the minimum amount of general education coursework required in the Associate of Science (AS) degree.  At the completion of this program, the student will be able to:	
01.0	Perform reproduction process operations – the student will be able to:	
01.01	Identify the equipment and materials used in reproduction process operations, their parts and functions and the safety rules relating to their operation.	
01.02	Set up and operate reproduction tools and equipment.	
01.03	Perform operator maintenance on reproduction equipment.	
01.04	Identify and explain the scope, purpose, size and products of the graphic communications industry by identifying various statistics that relate to its existence.	
01.05	Trace the evolution of writing, kinds of communications, materials used and printing by identifying and recalling times, cultures and specific inventions.	
01.06	Analyze various reproduction processing methods (e.g., letterpress, gravure, offset lithography, screen, flexography, electronic).	
01.07	Compare and contrast the various reproduction processes to distinguish the strengths and weaknesses of each.	
01.08	Explain the value of planning and design to the graphic communication process by identifying principles of design and the steps used in the planning of layouts.	
01.09	Analyze the various printing surfaces by contrast and comparison to a variety of elements in each process to distinguish the difference in each surface.	
01.10	Evaluate printing processes by judging advantages and disadvantages of each.	
01.11	Define terms used in mark-up of copy for composition by being able to recognize marks, instructions and other data.	
01.12	Place in sequential order the production steps of a printing job from conception to completion.	
01.13	Understand the historical significance of creating paste-ups and mechanicals; understand how paste-ups and mechanicals were made and the steps used in the process.	
01.14	Define and explain the elements of typography and their value to the printing and design process.	
01.15	Analyze typographic terms.	
01.16	Define and explain the terms and methodology used in commercial and process photography as they relate to the printing processes.	
01.17	Analyze plates used in the various printing processes.	
01.18	Define and explain the principles and generalizations in the use of color in design of printing.	
01.19	Define and explain the history of inks, substrates and differences between printing processes.	
01.20	Define and explain the history of paper and basic components in paper by recalling items used in place of paper and identifying the steps used in the manufacture of paper.	
01.21	List and explain career opportunities in printing.	
01.22	Analyze the difference between artist use and production use of printing.	
01.23	Set up and operate machine used in reproduction process operation in accordance with manufacturer's specifications.	
01.24	Perform operator maintenance on machine used in reproduction process operation in accordance with manufacturer's specifications.	
02.0	Perform estimating operations – the student will be able to:	
02.01	Identify the equipment and materials used in estimating operations, their parts and functions and the safety rules relating to their operation.	
02.02	Define and explain the methods of reproduction illustrated by offset and letter press.	
02.03	Define and explain the organization and management of a wall organized printing company by identifying its organizational elements.	
02.04	Define and explain an estimator's duties including the knowledge of categories of production pertaining to estimating.	
02.05	Define and explain the role and responsibility of the estimator in a printing plant.	
02.06	Define and explain the sources of information available to the estimator.	
02.07	Define and explain the factors that must be considered by the estimator in preparing an estimate such as standard production times, budgeted hour cost rates, outside purchased services and material costs.	
02.08	Analyze terms used in estimating.	
02.09	Place in sequential order the progressive steps for preparing an estimate.	
02.10	Define and explain the principle characteristics of the different papers used in the printing process.	
02.11	List the job tasks that usually appear on an estimating form.	
02.12	List the job tasks that usually appear on an estimating form in the sequential order in which they are usually performed.	
02.13	Apply formula for computing weight of paper stock.	
02.14	Define and explain basic sheet sizes by listing the paper categories with the basic sheet size for each.	
02.15	Prepare costs estimates utilizing given items, costs and specifications for a one-color, one-up job.	
02.16	Prepare costs estimates utilizing given items, costs and specifications for a one-color, multiple.	
02.17	Prepare cost estimates utilizing given items, costs and specifications for a one-color, step job.	
02.18	Prepare cost estimates utilizing given items, costs and specifications for a one-color, four-page job.	
02.19	Prepare cost estimates utilizing given items, costs and specifications for a one-color, eight-page job.	
02.20	Prepare cost estimates utilizing given items, costs and specifications for a one color, sixteen-page folded, saddle stitched job.	
03.0	Perform graphic design operations – the student will be able to:	
03.01	Identify the equipment and materials used in graphic design operations, their parts and functions and the safety rules relating to their operation.	
03.02	Set up and operate graphic design operation tools and equipment.	
03.03	Perform operator maintenance on graphic design operation equipment.	
03.04	Prepare thumbnail layout.	
03.05	Prepare rough layout.	
03.06	Prepare comprehensive layout including finish working dummy.	
03.07	Size and proportion photographs, line drawings and other copy elements.	
03.08	Copy fit and mark up (specify type sizes and styles).	
04.0	Perform typographical operations – the student will be able to:	
04.01	Identify the equipment and materials (to include parts and functions), historically utilized in typographical operations; demonstrate understanding of the historical role this equipment played in the printing industry, how this equipment was used, and how it was operated.	
04.02	Define and explain typographic terms for measurement.	
04.03	Set up and proofread type by a variety of means.	
04.04	Analyze and solve printing measurement problems using a group of specific facts, a system of logic and arithmetic based on printer's measurements.	
04.05	Demonstrate the ability to typeset using industry standard software.	
04.06	Evaluate printed typed samples for visual spacing to mechanical spacing and certain letter combinations to other letter combinations and produce examples.	
04.07	Define terms used in typesetting and typography and explain the difference.	
04.08	Define and explain terms that deal with type identification.	
04.09	Define and explain the elements of typography and their values in printing and design.	
04.10	Solve copy fitting problems by applying typographic principles.	
04.11	Evaluate typesetting systems by judging their advantages and their disadvantages.	
04.12	Perform manual, automatic and semi-automatic justification decisions.	
05.0	Perform copy preparation operations – the student will be able to:	
05.01	Identify the equipment used historically in the preparation of copy prior to the availability of digital layout programs.	
05.02	Understand the historical significance of mechanical paste-ups using printed type proofs and how that applies to modern offset printing.	
05.03	Understand how copy was scaled proportionally in layouts prior to the availability of computer programs.	
05.04	Understand the ways printing plates were created by hand and the materials involved in the creation of printing plates prior to direct-to-plate methods.	
06.0	Perform line graphic photo operations – the student will be able to:	
06.01	Understand how art was reproduced in the past and the photographic process that was employed to recreate original artwork for printing.	
06.02	Identify the types of art that were commonly used before the advent of the computer.	
06.03	Understand the differences between line art and half tones.	
07.0	Perform graphic arts halftone operations – the student will be able to:	
07.01	Demonstrate understanding of halftones, their uses, and importance.	
07.02	Use industry-standard software to check, correct, and create digital images.	
07.03	Define historical halftone terminology and identify how these terms relate to modern industry-standard software.	
08.0	Perform color reproduction operations – the student will be able to:	
08.01	Identify the equipment and materials used in color reproduction operations, their parts and functions and the safety rules relating to their operation.	
08.02	Set up and operate color reproduction tools and equipment.	
08.03	Perform operator maintenance on color reproduction equipment.	
08.04	Apply the principles of visible light by constructing a spectrograph and placing the major subdivisions of white light in their proper position according to scientific theory.	
08.05	Define and explain the interrelationship of light and color.	
08.06	Define and explain the principles of color theory as they apply to process printing.	
08.07	Define and explain the difference between additive and subtractive color.	
08.08	Define and explain the color absorption/reflection theory as it applies to process color filters and printing inks.	
08.09	Compare and contrast color separation systems for direct, indirect and electronic scanning.	
08.10	Demonstrate understanding of how printing plates were made in the past and the photographic processes involved.	
08.11	Define and explain densitometry and sensitometry.	
08.12	Apply the principles of densitometry and sensitometry to establish local laboratory standards.	
08.13	Understand how color separations are created and how direct-to-plate methods work.	
08.14	Define and explain the requirements for color production by graphing and interpreting the deficiencies of printing inks.	
09.0	Perform stripping operations – the student will be able to:	
09.01	Understand the materials historically used in the process of stripping.	
09.02	Define stripping and explain how this process was used in the past to make plates.	
09.03	Understand the differences between one-color, two-color, and process color layouts.	
09.04	Understand and demonstrate page registration.	
09.05	Understand and demonstrate page imposition on large size printing paper.	
10.0	Perform proofing and plate making operations – the student will be able to:	
10.01	Identify the equipment and materials used in proofing and plate making operations, their parts and functions and the safety rules relating to their operation.	
10.02	Set up and operate proofing and plate making tools and equipment.	
10.03	Perform operator maintenance on proofing and plate making equipment.	
10.04	Identify equipment and materials used in proofing and plate making to obtain proper exposures using a transmission density guide.	
10.05	Inspect and evaluate proofs to original mechanical.	
10.06	Identify, contrast and compare image carriers such as paper, photo direct, foil, aluminum additive and aluminum subtractive for run length and quality to suit customer specifications.	
10.07	Process paper, photo direct, foil, aluminum additive and aluminum subtractive image carriers to manufacturer specifications.	
10.08	Inspect and evaluate plates to proofs.	
10.09	File, handle and retrieve flats and plates.	
11.0	Perform offset operations – the student will be able to:	
11.01	Identify the equipment and materials used in offset presswork operations, their parts and functions and the safety rules, rules relating to their operation.	
11.02	Set up and operate offset presswork tools and equipment.	
11.03	Perform operator maintenance on offset presswork equipment.	
11.04	Define and explain the basic principle of the lithographic process.	
11.05	Compare and contrast a single-sheet feeder, stream-fed, web-fed systems.	
11.06	Compare and contrast deliver systems for sheet- and web-fed systems.	
11.07	Compare and contrast register systems such as side-guide, pull-guide and head register.	
11.08	Compare and contrast ink and moisture system for sheet- and web-fed systems.	
11.09	Explain make ready procedures in proper sequence in preparation for actual production.	
11.10	Apply basic principles of offset lithography pertaining to dampening systems (ducted and continuous).	
11.11	Apply basic principles of offset lithography pertaining to fountain solutions chemical components (acid, alkaline and neutral).	
11.12	Apply basic principles of offset lithography pertaining to pH control and its effects on the lithographic process.	
11.13	Apply basic principles of offset lithography pertaining to interrelationships of paper.	
11.14	Demonstrate the inking system by identifying each part and making proper adjustments.	
11.15	Make ready and demonstrate feeder and delivery systems.	
11.16	Demonstrate methods for achieving register by making machine adjustments.	
11.17	Apply basic principles of offset press operations to produce work and turn, work and tumble, and sheetwise printed products.	
12.0	Perform finishing operations – the student will be able to:	
12.01	Identify the equipment and materials used in finishing/binding operation, their parts and functions and the safety rules relating to their operation.	
12.02	Identify basic principles of finishing/binding operations pertaining to pre-press paper cutting, post press paper cutting and post bindery cutting (after folding, stitching, etc.).	
12.03	Apply basic principles of finishing/binding operations pertaining to sheet cutting.	
12.04	Identify basic principles of finishing/binding operations pertaining to grain, caliper and finish (coated or uncoated or paper).	
12.05	Identify basic principles of finishing/binding operations pertaining to signature configurations for sheet and web presses.	
12.06	Apply basic principles of finishing/binding operations pertaining to folding.	
12.07	Apply basic principles of finishing/binding operations pertaining to scoring and perforating.	
12.08	Identify basic principles of finishing/binding operations pertaining to collating and gathering.	
12.09	Identify basic principles of finishing/binding operations pertaining to binding alternatives (saddle, side, perfect, comb, spiral, case, etc.).	
12.10	Identify basic principles of finishing/binding operations pertaining to adhesive binding (padding and fan-apart).	
13.0	Demonstrate appropriate communication skills – the student will be able to:	
13.01	Write logical and understandable statements, or phrases, to accurately fill out forms/invoices commonly used in business and industry.	
13.02	Read and understand graphs, charts, diagrams, and tables commonly used in this industry/occupation area.	
13.03	Read and follow written and oral instructions.	
13.04	Answer and ask questions coherently and concisely.	
13.05	Read critically by recognizing assumptions and implications and by evaluating ideas.	
13.06	Demonstrate appropriate telephone/communication skills.	
14.0	Demonstrate appropriate math skills – the student will be able to:	
14.01	Solve problems for volume, weight, area, circumference and perimeter measurements for rectangles, squares, and cylinders.	
14.02	Measure tolerance(s) on horizontal and vertical surfaces using millimeters, centimeters, feet and inches.	
14.03	Add, subtract, multiply and divide using fractions, decimals, and whole numbers.	
14.04	Determine the correct purchase price, to include sales tax for a materials list containing a minimum of six items.	
14.05	Demonstrate an understanding of federal, state and local taxes and their computation.	
15.0	Demonstrate appropriate understanding of basic science – the student will be able to:	
15.01	Understand molecular action as a result of temperature extremes, chemical reaction, and moisture content.	
15.02	Draw conclusions or make inferences from data.	
15.03	Identify health related problems which may result from exposure to work related chemicals and hazardous materials, and know the proper precautions required for handling such materials.	
15.04	Understand pressure measurement in terms of PSI, inches of mercury, and KPA.	
16.0	Demonstrate employability skills – the student will be able to:	
16.01	Conduct a job search.	
16.02	Secure information about a job.	
16.03	Identify documents that may be required when applying for a job.	
16.04	Complete a job application form correctly.	
16.05	Demonstrate competence in job interview techniques.	
16.06	Identify or demonstrate appropriate responses to criticism from employer, supervisor, or other persons.	
16.07	Identify acceptable work habits.	
16.08	Demonstrate knowledge of how to make job changes.	
16.09	Demonstrate acceptable employee health habits.	
16.10	Interview job applicants.	
16.11	Develop and monitor safe and efficient work practices.	
16.12	Stimulate, motivate and direct the development of others.	
16.13	Interact affectively with customers and vendors.	
17.0	Demonstrate an understanding of entrepreneurship – the student will be able to:	
17.01	Define entrepreneurship.	
17.02	Describe the importance of entrepreneurship to the American economy.	
17.03	List the advantages and disadvantages of business ownership.	
17.04	Identify the risks involved in ownership of a business.	
17.05	Identify the necessary personal characteristics of a successful entrepreneur.	
17.06	Identify the business skills needed to operate a small business efficiently and effectively.	

Additional Information

Laboratory Activities

Laboratory investigations that include scientific inquiry, research, measurement, problem solving, emerging technologies, tools and equipment, as well as, experimental, quality, and safety procedures are an integral part of this career and technical program/course. Laboratory investigations benefit all students by developing an understanding of the complexity and ambiguity of empirical work, as well as the skills required to manage, operate, calibrate and troubleshoot equipment/tools used to make observations. Students understand measurement error; and have the skills to aggregate, interpret, and present the resulting data. Equipment and supplies should be provided to enhance hands-on experiences for students.

Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO)

SkillsUSA is the intercurricular career and technical student organization(s) providing leadership training and reinforcing specific career and technical skills.  Career and Technical Student Organizations provide activities for students as an integral part of the instruction offered.  

Accommodations

Federal and state legislation requires the provision of accommodations for students with disabilities 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.

Additional Resources

For additional information regarding articulation agreements, Bright Futures Scholarships, Fine Arts/Practical Arts Credit and Equivalent Mathematics and Equally Rigorous Science Courses please refer to:
http://www.fldoe.org/academics/career-adult-edu/career-tech-edu/program-resources.stml