As the world economy continues to evolve, businesses and industries must adopt new practices and processes in order to survive. Quality and cost control, work teams and participatory management, and an infusion of technology are transforming the way people work and do business. Employees are now expected to read, write, and communicate effectively; think creatively, solve problems, and make decisions; and interact with each other and the technologies in the workplace. Vocational-technical programs must also adopt these practices in order to provide graduates who can enter and advance in the changing work world. The curriculum framework in this document reflects these changes in the workplace and a number of other factors that impact on local vocational-technical programs. Ophthalmic Technology is a 2-year technical program. Upon successful completion of the program, the student is awarded the Associate of Applied Science Degree. The program is comprised of both vocational-technical and academic courses. Opticianry is defined as "the art and science of optics to compounding, filing, and adapting of ophthalmic prescriptions, products and accessories." Opticianry describes the preparation (making) of ophthalmic lenses, setting them into spectacle frames, and dispensing (fitting and delivering) them to the wearer. These acts include a large number of activities or trades, ranging from the mechanical act of lens grinding to the personal service of the selection, fitting, and adjusting of a pair of glasses to an individual's face, selling, and public relations. Academic, workplace, and industry standards are referenced at the end of each course where applicable. Although the program is not accredited by the Commission on Opticianry Accreditation, the industry standards are taken from the Essentials of an Accredited Educational Program for Opticianry. Appended are: (1) Standards Based on Essentials of an Accredited Program for Opticianry; (2) Related Academic Standards; and (3) 21st Century Skills. A list of suggested references is provided for each unit. (Contains 2 footnotes.)