2022 - 2023
Florida Department of Education
Curriculum Framework 

Program Title:	Graphic Communications and Printing Technology
Program Type:	Career Preparatory
Career Cluster:	Arts, A/V Technology and Communication

Secondary – Career Preparatory	
Program Number	8230100	
CIP Number	0650040216	
Grade Level	9-12	
Standard Length	6 credits	
Teacher Certification	Refer to the Program Structure section.	
CTSO	SkillsUSA	
SOC Codes (all applicable) 	51-5112 – Printing Press Operators
51-5111 – Prepress Technicians and Workers
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 initial employment in the Printing and Graphic Communications industry.

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. 

The course content includes, but is not limited to, an understanding of the printing and graphic communications industry, digital production printing and prepress operations, contemporary and emergent printing technologies, and the application of finishing and distribution processes.
  
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 six (6) credits. 

To teach the courses listed below, instructors must hold at least one of the teacher certifications indicated for that course.

The following table illustrates the secondary program structure:

Course Number	Course Title	Teacher Certification	Length	SOC Code	Level	Graduation Requirement	
8230110	Introduction to Printing Technology	PRINTING @7  7G
	1 credit	51-5112	2		
8230120	Basic Offset Press Operations		1 credit	51-5112	2		
8230130	Basic Finishing and Bindery Operations		1 credit	51-5112	2		
8230140	Digital Production Printing Operations		1 credit	51-5111	3	PA	
8230150	Digital Imaging and Typography		1 credit	27-1024	3		
8230160	Page Layout and Scanning Operations		1 credit	27-1024	3	PA	
(Graduation Requirement Abbreviations- EQ= Equally Rigorous Science, PA= Practical Arts, EC= Economics)

Common Career Technical Core – Career Ready Practices

Career Ready Practices describe the career-ready skills that educators should seek to develop in their students.  These practices are not exclusive to a Career Pathway, program of study, discipline or level of education.  Career Ready Practices should be taught and reinforced in all career exploration and preparation programs with increasingly higher levels of complexity and expectation as a student advances through a program of study. 

1. Act as a responsible and contributing citizen and employee. 

2. Apply appropriate academic and technical skills. 

3. Attend to personal health and financial well-being. 

4. Communicate clearly, effectively and with reason. 

5. Consider the environmental, social and economic impacts of decisions. 

6. Demonstrate creativity and innovation. 

7. Employ valid and reliable research strategies. 

8. Utilize critical thinking to make sense of problems and persevere in solving them. 

9. Model integrity, ethical leadership and effective management. 

10. Plan education and career path aligned to personal goals. 

11. Use technology to enhance productivity. 

12. Work productively in teams while using cultural/global competence. 

Standards

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

01.0	Demonstrate understanding of safety and first aid practices.
02.0	Demonstrate understanding of graphic communications occupations and processes.
03.0	Demonstrate proficiency in art and copy preparation.
04.0	Demonstrate proficiency in prepress/imaging operations.
05.0	Demonstrate proficiency in image assembly/platemaking.
06.0	Demonstrate proficiency in performing basic offset press operations.
07.0	Demonstrate proficiency in basic finishing and bindery operations.
08.0	Demonstrate appropriate math skills.
09.0	Demonstrate proficiency in performing basic imposition platemaking and digital printer competencies.
10.0	Demonstrate proficiency in the operation of a digital production printing system.
11.0	Demonstrate proficiency in basic electronic imaging competencies.
12.0	Demonstrate proficiency in the use of type and typography.

2022 - 2023
Florida Department of Education
Student Performance Standards

Course Title: 	Introduction to Graphic Communications
Course Number: 	8230110
Course Credit:	1

Course Description:

This course is designed to provide instruction in the different procedures and skills to perform, first aid, art and copy and pre-press operations.

CTE Standards and Benchmarks	
01.0	Demonstrate understanding of safety and first aid practices. The student will be able to:	
01.01	Identify the location of fire safety equipment.	
01.02	Describe the proper use of fire safety equipment.	
01.03	List safety rules involving flammable liquids.	
01.04	List the steps to be taken in case of injury in the lab.	
01.05	Identify locations of first aid kits and eye wash stations.	
01.06	Discuss the importance of the Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS).	
01.07	Identify protective safety equipment (e.g., gloves, goggles, ear plugs).	
01.08	Practice proper safety procedures when operating equipment.	
01.09	Practice approved shop dress code for safe operation; include the necessary personal safety equipment.	
01.10	Pass a general lab safety test.	
01.11	Demonstrate acceptable employee health habits.	
01.12	Demonstrate knowledge of the “Right-to-Know” law.	
01.13	Pass a safety test related to the individual’s specialty area(s).	
01.14	Practice approved methods for the disposal of waste materials.	
01.15	Read, comprehend and follow instructions on warning labels.	
01.16	Demonstrate common sense when working with others.	
01.17	Demonstrate a working knowledge of the safety color code.	
02.0	Demonstrate understanding of graphic communications occupations and processes. The student will be able to:	
02.01	Define the role of graphics in a free enterprise system.	
02.02	Identify printing markets and types of printing businesses.	
02.03	List the rank of the printing industry among other industries.	
02.04	Identify the major printing processes.	
02.05	List the advantages of each major process.	
02.06	List the disadvantages of each major process.	
02.07	Identify the products produced by each major process.	
02.08	List the business flow of printing from initial need to final product.	
02.09	List the technical production flow from idea to finished product.	
02.10	Identify major occupations in the graphic arts.	
02.11	List the primary responsibilities for each occupation.	
02.12	Identify basic salary/wage expectation ranges for the local area.	
03.0	Demonstrate proficiency in art and copy preparation. The student will be able to:	
03.01	Demonstrate how to prepare thumbnail layouts.	
03.02	Demonstrate how to prepare rough layouts.	
03.03	Demonstrate how to prepare comprehensive layouts; include a finished working dummy.	
03.04	Employ the use of printer’s measurements to compute inches, fractions, points, picas, decimals, percentages, and proportions.	
03.05	Check and compare the completed original to comprehensive layouts for final proofing.	
04.0	Demonstrate proficiency in prepress/imaging operations. The student will be able to:	
04.01	Identify basic equipment and tools and the safety rules pertaining to prepress/imaging operations.	
04.02	Demonstrate how to choose type using the correct size and format.	
04.03	Identify the fundamentals and uses of type.	
04.04	Identify the types of items that can be designed and produced using a page layout program.	
04.05	Demonstrate keyboarding skills.	
04.06	State how to organize a file management system for opening, copying, saving and deleting files.	
04.07	Demonstrate file management operations for opening, copying, saving and deleting files.	
04.08	Demonstrate how to log-on/boot-up and print from a page layout program; demonstrate a functional knowledge of computer commands/codes/menus/palettes for the software in use.	
04.09	Demonstrate how to set text with appropriate margins, formatting, gutters, leading, headings, etc.	
04.10	Demonstrate how to flow copy from a word processing program according to job specifications.	

2022 - 2023
Florida Department of Education
Student Performance Standards

Course Title:		Basic Offset Press Operations
Course Number:	8230120
Course Credit:	1

Course Description:

This course is designed to provide instruction in performing reproduction photography and image assembly/plate making.

CTE Standards and Benchmarks	
05.0	Demonstrate proficiency in image assembly/platemaking. The student will be able to:	
05.01	Identify platemaking equipment and tools for offset metal plates.	
05.02	Identify plate material types and processing chemicals for making offset metal plates.	
05.03	Demonstrate how to produce a correctly exposed and processed metal plate for offset printing.	
05.04	Identify computer-to-plate platemaking equipment.	
06.0	Demonstrate proficiency in performing basic offset press operations. The student will be able to:	
06.01	Identify basic offset duplicator parts and operations.	
06.02	Identify basic safety and operation procedures for an offset duplicator or a single-color printing press.	
06.03	Demonstrate basic setup procedures for printing a single-color job.	
06.04	Produce a printed single-color job using an offset duplicator.	

2022 - 2023
Florida Department of Education
Student Performance Standards

Course Title:		Basic Finishing and Bindery Operations
Course Number:	8230130
Course Credit:	1

Course Description:

This course is designed to provide instruction in the different procedures for finishing/binding operations and basic skills.

CTE Standards and Benchmarks	
07.0	Demonstrate proficiency in basic finishing and bindery operations. The student will be able to:	
07.01	Identify the operational and safety parts of a paper cutter.	
07.02	Identify the grain direction of paper.	
07.03	Demonstrate how to calculate basic paper cuts from a stock sheet.	
07.04	Demonstrate how to draw a master cutting diagram for making cuts.	
07.05	Demonstrate how to make accurate paper cuts using a mechanized paper cutter.	
07.06	Identify basic paper types, weights, grades and classifications used in the printing industry.	
07.07	Identify padding materials.	
07.08	Demonstrate how to produce correctly made pads of paper.	
07.09	Identify stapling and stitching equipment, materials and supplies.	
07.10	Demonstrate how to produce side-stitched, saddle-stitched, and stapled products.	
07.11	Identify punching/drilling equipment and hand tools.	
07.12	Demonstrate how to measure three-ring notebook pages for drilling.	
07.13	Demonstrate how to make holes for three-ring notebooks.	
07.14	Identify folding equipment and hand tools.	
07.15	Identify basic folds for printed products.	
07.16	Demonstrate how to make a single fold using an automatic folding machine.	
07.17	Identify collating equipment and hand tools.	
07.18	Demonstrate how to make sets of paper using collating equipment in the correct sequence.	
07.19	Demonstrate how to hand collate sets in proper sequence.	
07.20	Identify the cut products and the basic procedure for die cutting.	
07.21	Identify hot foil stamped products and the basic equipment, materials, and procedures for foil stamping.	
08.0	Demonstrate appropriate math skills. The student will be able to:	
08.01	Demonstrate how to solve addition, subtraction, multiplication and division of whole numbers.	
08.02	Demonstrate how to solve addition, subtraction, multiplication and division of fractions.	
08.03	Demonstrate how to solve addition, subtraction, multiplication and division of decimals.	
08.04	Demonstrate how to solve fraction to decimal and decimal to fraction conversion problems.	
08.05	Demonstrate how to solve decimal to percent and percent to decimal conversion problems.	
08.06	Demonstrate how to solve basic ratio and proportion problems.	
08.07	Demonstrate how to solve basic linear measurement problems.	
08.08	Demonstrate how to solve basic inches to picas and picas to inches conversion problems.	
08.09	Demonstrate how to solve inches to points and points to inches conversion problems.	
08.10	Demonstrate how to solve cost-calculating problems.	

2022 - 2023
Florida Department of Education
Student Performance Standards

Course Title:		Digital Production Printing Operations
Course Number:	8230140
Course Credit:	1

Course Description:

This course is designed to provide instruction in the different procedures for performing basic film assembly and plate making.

CTE Standards and Benchmarks	
09.0	Demonstrate proficiency in performing basic imposition platemaking and digital printer competencies. The student will be able to:	
09.01	Read and comprehend production information on a job jacket/ticket.	
09.02	Demonstrate the ability to create a single-color layout for an envelope.	
09.03	Demonstrate the ability to create a single-color layout for a work-and-turn imposition.	
09.04	Demonstrate the ability to create a single-color layout for a work-and-tumble imposition.	
09.05	Demonstrate the ability to create a single-color layout for a business card.	
09.06	Demonstrate the ability to create a single-color layout for a 4-page sheetwise imposition.	
09.07	Demonstrate the ability to assemble a single-color layout for an 8-page signature.	
09.08	Demonstrate how to inspect and compare proofs to originals.	
09.09	Identify the equipment, tools, and materials used in platemaking operations and the parts, functions, and safety rules related to their operation.	
09.10	Apply basic math skills to platemaking operations.	
09.11	Identify the different plate materials, types and processing chemicals and the methods of use for each.	
09.12	Demonstrate how to expose, process and preserve metal plates.	
09.13	Demonstrate how to make additions, deletions and repairs to metal plates.	
09.14	Demonstrate how to inspect and compare plates to proofs.	
09.15	Demonstrate how to properly handle, file, store and retrieve flats and plates.	
10.0	Demonstrate proficiency in the operation of a digital production printing system.	
10.01	Use the system interface to adjust image tone reproduction quality.	
10.02	Program and run a job for cardstock.	
10.03	Program and run a job for folded signatures.	
10.04	Program and set-up the various inline finishing and binding options.	
10.05	Program and run productivity features (e.g., cover sheets, job separator sheets).	
10.06	Program and run jobs on a digital color printing system.	
10.07	Evaluate and adjust color print quality on a digital color printing system.	
10.08	Apply troubleshooting and problem-solving strategies to digital printing systems.	
10.09	Demonstrate how to produce a 2-sided, 3-panel brochure.	
10.10	Demonstrate how to produce a 4-page newsletter on a digital printing system.	

2022 - 2023
Florida Department of Education
Student Performance Standards

Course Title:		Digital Imaging and Typography
Course Number:	8230150
Course Credit:	1

Course Description:

This course is designed to provide instruction in the different procedures for performing basic film assembly and plate making.

CTE Standards and Benchmarks	
11.0	Demonstrate proficiency in basic electronic imaging competencies. The student will be able to:	
11.01	Read and comprehend production information on a job jacket/ticket.	
11.02	Identify the various types of items that can be designed and produced using desktop publishing.	
11.03	Identify the basic principles of design (e.g., unity, contrast, page proportions, and balance).	
11.04	Demonstrate how to incorporate basic design principles in hand-drawn sketches and measured layouts.	
11.05	Identify line copy.	
11.06	Identify continuous tone and halftone copy.	
11.07	Identify basic process color principles and four kinds of color printing.	
11.08	Demonstrate understanding of electronic color-proofing techniques.	
11.09	Identify basic desktop publishing equipment.	
11.10	Define the limitations and capabilities of desktop publishing.	
11.11	Define the differences in quality of photo-processed output and laser printer output.	
11.12	Demonstrate understanding of postscript software capabilities.	
11.13	Define the operation of the hardware components of a computer aided publishing system.	
11.14	Demonstrate how to select appropriate software for word processing, graphics, scanning and page layout.	
11.15	Demonstrate a keyboard typing proficiency of a minimum of 30 WPM.	
11.16	State how to organize a file management system for opening, copying, saving and deleting files.	
11.17	Demonstrate file management operations for opening, copying, saving and deleting files.	
11.18	Demonstrate how to prepare a series of hand-drawn sketches for layouts incorporating appropriate marks (e.g., gutters, register marks, fold lines).	
11.19	Demonstrate how to prepare a dummy for a multi-page signature.	
11.20	Demonstrate an understanding of data exchange.	
12.0	Demonstrate proficiency in the use of type and typography. The student will be able to:	
12.01	Demonstrate how to measure copy/text in points and picas using a line gauge.	
12.02	Demonstrate how to measure type using a type-fitting gauge.	
12.03	Demonstrate how to identify x-height, meanline, baseline, ascenders, descenders, and the roles of each in measuring and designing with type.	
12.04	Demonstrate how to identify caps, lowercase, uppercase, small caps and ligatures.	
12.05	Define dingbats, bullets, rules, and symbols and the uses of each in publications.	
12.06	Demonstrate how to distinguish between display (headline) type and body (text) type by point size and style.	
12.07	Demonstrate how to identify basic type styles and the uses of each style.	
12.08	Determine the weight and posture of type.	
12.09	Demonstrate how to distinguish between serif and sans-serif type styles.	
12.10	Define letter spacing and kerning of type characters.	
12.11	Define word spacing and the relationship of em and en in paragraph spacing.	
12.12	Define line spacing and explain the measurement principles for the leading of text.	
12.13	Define type arrangements:  flush left, ragged right, flush right, ragged left, centered, justified, and forced justified.	
12.14	Define and demonstrate copy fitting.	

2022 - 2023
Florida Department of Education
Student Performance Standards

Course Title:		Page Layout and Scanning Operations
Course Number:	8230160
Course Credit:	1

Course Description:

This course is designed to provide instruction in electronic imaging, and typography.

CTE Standards and Benchmarks	
13.0	Demonstrate proficiency in using page layout operations. The student will be able to:	
13.01	Demonstrate how to prepare rough layouts.	
13.02	Demonstrate how to markup a copy for the production of a printed piece.	
13.03	Demonstrate how to select appropriate page layout software for a given job.	
13.04	Demonstrate how to log-on/boot-up and print out from a page layout program; demonstrate a functional knowledge of computer commands/codes/menus/palette for the software in use.	
13.05	Demonstrate text alignment, element positioning and the rules of page design for printed material.	
13.06	Demonstrate how to set-up column grids for an electronic page layout according to job specifications.	
13.07	Demonstrate how to set-up/select appropriate pagination for a given job.	
13.08	Demonstrate the uses of headers and footers.	
13.09	Demonstrate how to set text with appropriate margins, formatting, gutters, leading, headings, etc.	
13.10	Demonstrate a proficiency in conducting basic search operations.	
13.11	Demonstrate how to place copy from a word processing program into a page layout program according to job specifications.	
13.12	Demonstrate how to proofread, edit and make corrections/adjustments to copy on screen.	
13.13	Demonstrate how to download fonts.	
13.14	Demonstrate how to transfer graphics, rules, and dingbats from an existing file into a publication.	
13.15	Demonstrate the procedure for cropping graphics electronically.	
13.16	Use graphics and text to create a 2-sided, 3-panel brochure for publication.	
13.17	Demonstrate how to create a 4-page newsletter using windows, blocks, text, graphics, frames and headings.	
13.18	Demonstrate how to create a 2-page newsletter using drop caps for paragraph openings, wraparound (run-around) and graphics.	
13.19	Use tints, reverses, and manipulated type for effect to create a printed piece.	
13.20	Demonstrate how to produce a multicolor flyer using electronic spot color separations.	
13.21	Demonstrate knowledge of the capabilities, advantages, and disadvantages of available page layout programs.	
13.22	Demonstrate the use of an electronic dictionary, spell checker, and automatic hyphenation.	
14.0	Demonstrate proficiency in scanning operations. The student will be able to:	
14.01	Identify the hardware, basic components and operations associated with scanners.	
14.02	Identify basic scanner software and its uses and limitations.	
14.03	Demonstrate appropriate scanner/program operations for continuous tone copy.	
14.04	Demonstrate how to place scanned graphics/photos into existing page layout program.	

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.

Academic Alignment

Secondary Career and Technical Education courses are pending alignment to the B.E.S.T. (Benchmarks for Excellent Student Thinking) Standards for English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics that were adopted by the State Board of Education in February 2020.  Academic alignment is an ongoing, collaborative effort of professional educators that provide clear expectations for progression year-to-year through course alignment. This initiative supports CTE programs by improving student performance through the integration of academic content within CTE courses.  

Florida Standards for English Language Development (ELD)
English language learners communicate for social and instructional purposes within the school setting. ELD.K12.SI.1.1 

English Language Development (ELD) Standards Special Notes:
Teachers are required to provide listening, speaking, reading and writing instruction that allows English language learners (ELL) to communicate for social and instructional purposes within the school setting.   For the given level of English language proficiency and with visual, graphic, or interactive support, students will interact with grade level words, expressions, sentences and discourse to process or produce language necessary for academic success. The ELD standard should specify a relevant content area concept or topic of study chosen by curriculum developers and teachers which maximizes an ELL’s need for communication and social skills. To access an ELL supporting document which delineates performance definitions and descriptors, please click on the following link: http://www.cpalms.org/uploads/docs/standards/eld/SI.pdf.
For additional information on the development and implementation of the ELD standards, please contact the Bureau of Student Achievement through Language Acquisition at sala@fldoe.org.

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.  

Cooperative Training – OJT

On-the-job training is appropriate but not required for this program.  Whenever offered, the rules, guidelines, and requirements specified in the OJT framework apply. 

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. 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.

In addition to accommodations, some secondary students with disabilities (students with an IEP served in Exceptional Student Education (ESE)) will need modifications to meet their needs.  Modifications change the outcomes or what the student is expected to learn, e.g., modifying the curriculum of a secondary career and technical education course.  Note: postsecondary curriculum and regulated secondary programs cannot be modified.

Some secondary students with disabilities (ESE) may need additional time (i.e., longer than the regular school year), to master the student performance standards associated with a regular course or a modified course.  If needed, a student may enroll in the same career and technical course more than once.  Documentation should be included in the IEP that clearly indicates that it is anticipated that the student may need an additional year to complete a Career and Technical Education (CTE) course.  The student should work on different competencies and new applications of competencies each year toward completion of the CTE course.  After achieving the competencies identified for the year, the student earns credit for the course.  It is important to ensure that credits earned by students are reported accurately.  The district’s information system must be designed to accept multiple credits for the same course number for eligible students with disabilities.

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