2016 – 2017
Florida Department of Education
Curriculum Framework 

Course Title:	Fundamentals of Agriscience
Course Type:	Non Career Preparatory
Career Cluster:	Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources

Secondary – Non Career Preparatory	
Course Number	8100320	
CIP Number	01019931PA	
Grade Level	9-12, 30, 31	
Standard Length	1 credit	
Teacher Certification	AGRICULTUR 1 @2	
CTSO	FFA	
CTE Program Resources 	http://www.fldoe.org/academics/career-adult-edu/career-tech-edu/program-resources.stml	

Purpose 

This course 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 Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources 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 Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources career cluster. 

The purpose of this course is to give students an opportunity to apply knowledge and skills related to the area of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources.

The content includes but is not limited to instruction in plant science, animal science, soil science, agricultural mechanics, natural resources and conservation, communication and employability skills.

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.

Additional Information relevant to this Career and Technical Education (CTE) program is provided at the end of this document.

Academic Alignment Tables

Academic alignment is an ongoing, collaborative effort of professional educators specializing in the fields of science, mathematics, English/language arts, and Career and Technical Education (CTE). This initiative supports CTE programs by improving student performance through the integration of academic content within CTE courses. Career and Technical Education courses that have been aligned to the Next Generation Sunshine State Standards for Science and the Florida Standards for Mathematics and English/Language Arts will show the following data: the quantity of academic standards in the CTE course; the total number of standards contained in the academic course; and the percentage of alignment to the CTE course.

Courses	Anatomy/ Physiology
Honors	Astronomy     Solar/Galactic Honors	Biology 1	Chemistry 1	Earth-Space Science	Environmental Science	Genetics	Integrated Science	Marine Science 1 Honors	Physical Science	Physics 1	
Fundamentals of Agriscience	6/87
7%	3/80
4%	39/83
47%	7/69
10%	25/67
37%	17/70
24%	8/69
12%	35/82
43%	13/66
20%	31/74
42%	4/72
6%	
**   Alignment pending review    						#   Alignment attempted, but no correlation to academic course

Courses	Algebra 1	Algebra 2	Geometry	English 1	English 2	English 3	English 4	
Fundamentals of Agriscience	#	#	#	9/46
20%	9/45
20%	9/45
20%	9/45
20%	
**   Alignment pending review    			#   Alignment attempted, but no correlation to academic course

Florida Standards for Technical Subjects 

Florida Standards (FS) for English Language Arts and Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects are the critical reading and writing literacy standards designed for grade 6 and above.  These standards are predicated on teachers of history/social studies, science, and technical subjects using their content area expertise to help students meet the particular challenges of reading, writing, speaking, listening, and language in their respective fields.  It is important to note that the 6-12 literacy standards in history/social studies, science, and technical subjects are not meant to replace content standards in those areas but rather to supplement them.

This curriculum framework incorporates the grades 9-10 reading and writing literacy standards in the first two courses of this CTE program and grade 11-12 reading and writing literacy standards in the third and fourth courses of this CTE program.  The standards for Mathematical Practices describe varieties of expertise that educators at all levels should seek to develop in their students.  These practices rest on important “processes and proficiencies” with longstanding importance in mathematics education.  This curriculum framework incorporates the appropriate mathematical practices in the first four courses of this CTE program.  

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	Methods and strategies for using Florida Standards for grades 09-10 reading in Technical Subjects for student success in Fundamentals of Agriscience. 
02.0	Methods and strategies for using Florida Standards for grades 09-10 writing in Technical Subjects for student success in Fundamentals of Agriscience.
03.0	Methods and strategies for using Florida Standards for grades 09-10 Mathematical Practices in Technical Subjects for student success in Fundamentals of Agriscience.
04.0	Describe the unique relationship between agriscience and the environment.
05.0	Initiate a Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) program based on identified career opportunities.
06.0	Demonstrate basic leadership skills in parliamentary procedure, public speaking, and group dynamics.
07.0	Demonstrate basic skills in natural resources.
08.0	Demonstrate basic skills in pest management.
09.0	Demonstrate the fundamental skills in plant science.
10.0	Demonstrate the aesthetic and environmental use of plants.
11.0	Demonstrate the basic skills in animal science.
12.0	Demonstrate the fundamental skills in food science and technology.
13.0	Demonstrate the basic skills in agricultural business management.
14.0	Demonstrate the basic mechanical skills.

2016 – 2017
Florida Department of Education
Student Performance Standards

Course Title: 	Fundamentals of Agriscience 
Course Number: 	8100320
Course Credit:	1

Course Description:

This course teaches knowledge and skills related to the area of plant science, animal science, soil science, agricultural mechanics, natural resources and conservation, communication and employability skills.

Florida Standards	Correlation to CTE Program Standard #	
01.0	Methods and strategies for using Florida Standards for grades 09-10 reading in Technical Subjects for student success in Fundamentals of Agriscience.		
01.01	Key Ideas and Details		
01.01.1	Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of science and technical texts, attending to the precise details of explanations or descriptions.
LAFS.910.RST.1.1		
01.01.2	Determine the central ideas or conclusions of a text; trace the text’s explanation or depiction of a complex process, phenomenon, or concept; provide an accurate summary of the text.
LAFS.910.RST.1.2		
01.01.3	Follow precisely a complex multistep procedure when carrying out experiments, taking measurements, or performing technical tasks, attending to special cases or exceptions defined in the text.
LAFS.910.RST.1.3		
01.02	Craft and Structure		
01.02.1	Determine the meaning of symbols, key terms, and other domain-specific words and phrases as they are used in a specific scientific or technical context relevant to grades 9–10 texts and topics.
LAFS.910.RST.2.4		
01.02.2	Analyze the structure of the relationships among concepts in a text, including relationships among key terms (e.g., force, friction, reaction force, energy).
LAFS.910.RST.2.5		
01.02.3	Analyze the author’s purpose in providing an explanation, describing a procedure, or discussing an experiment in a text, defining the question the author seeks to address.
LAFS.910.RST.2.6		
01.03	Integration of Knowledge and Ideas		
01.03.1	Translate quantitative or technical information expressed in words in a text into visual form (e.g., a table or chart) and translate information expressed visually or mathematically (e.g., in an equation) into words.
LAFS.910.RST.3.7		
01.03.2	Assess the extent to which the reasoning and evidence in a text support the author’s claim or a recommendation for solving a scientific or technical problem.
LAFS.910.RST.3.8		
01.03.3	Compare and contrast findings presented in a text to those from other sources (including their own experiments), noting when the findings support or contradict previous explanations or accounts.
LAFS.910.RST.3.9		
01.04	Range of Reading and Level of Text Complexity		
01.04.1	By the end of grade 9, read and comprehend literature [informational texts, history/social studies texts, science/technical texts] in the grades 9–10 text complexity band proficiently, with scaffolding as needed at the high end of the range.
01.04.2	By the end of grade 10, read and comprehend literature [informational texts, history/social studies texts, science/technical texts] at the high end of the grades 9–10 text complexity band independently and proficiently.
LAFS.910.RST.4.10		
02.0	Methods and strategies for using Florida Standards for grades 09-10 writing in Technical Subjects for student success in Fundamentals of Agriscience.		
02.01	Text Types and Purposes		
02.01.1	Write arguments focused on discipline-specific content.
LAFS.910.WHST.1.1		
02.01.2	Write informative/explanatory texts, including the narration of historical events, scientific procedures/experiments, or technical processes.
LAFS.910.WHST.1.2		
02.02	Production and Distribution of Writing		
02.02.1	Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
LAFS.910.WHST.2.4		
02.02.2	Develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach, focusing on addressing what is most significant for a specific purpose and audience.
LAFS.910.WHST.2.5		
02.02.3	Use technology, including the Internet, to produce, publish, and update individual or shared writing products, taking advantage of technology’s capacity to link to other information and to display information flexibly and dynamically.
LAFS.910.WHST.2.6		
02.03	Research to Build and Present Knowledge		
02.03.1	Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects to answer a question (including a self-generated question) or solve a problem; narrow or broaden the inquiry when appropriate; synthesize multiple sources on the subject, demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation.
LAFS.910.WHST.3.7		
02.03.2	Gather relevant information from multiple authoritative print and digital sources, using advanced searches effectively; assess the usefulness of each source in answering the research question; integrate information into the text selectively to maintain the flow of ideas, avoiding plagiarism and following a standard format for citation.
LAFS.910.WHST.3.8		
02.03.3	Draw evidence from informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.
LAFS.910.WHST.3.9		
02.04	Range of Writing		
02.04.1	Write routinely over extended time frames (time for reflection and revision) and shorter time frames (a single sitting or a day or two) for a range of discipline-specific tasks, purposes, and audiences.
LAFS.910.WHST.4.10		
03.0	Methods and strategies for using Florida Standards for grades 09-10 Mathematical Practices in Technical Subjects for student success in Fundamentals of Agriscience.		
03.01	Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them.
MAFS.K12.MP.1.1		
03.02	Reason abstractly and quantitatively.
MAFS.K12.MP.2.1		
03.03	Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others.
MAFS.K12.MP.3.1		
03.04	Model with mathematics.
MAFS.K12.MP.4.1		
03.05	Use appropriate tools strategically.
MAFS.K12.MP.5.1		
03.06	Attend to precision.
MAFS.K12.MP.6.1		
03.07	Look for and make use of structure.
MAFS.K12.MP.7.1		
03.08	Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning.
MAFS.K12.MP.8.1		

Abbreviations: 
FS-M/LA = Florida Standards for Math/Language Arts
NGSSS-Sci = Next Generation Sunshine State Standards for Science

Note:  This course is pending alignment in the following categories:  FS-M 

CTE Standards and Benchmarks	FS-M/LA	NGSSS-Sci	National Standards	
04.0	Describe the unique relationship between agriscience and the environment – the student will be able to:				
04.01	Identify the major sciences that explain the development, existence, and improvement of living things.	LAFS.910.SL.2.4
LAFS.910.SL.3.6	SC.912.N.1.1; SC.912.L.14.10		
04.02	Describe the elements of a healthy environment.	LAFS.910.SL.2.4
LAFS.910.SL.3.6	SC.912.L.17.7, 17		
04.03	Describe the efforts made to improve the environment.	LAFS.910.SL.2.4
LAFS.910.SL.3.6	SC.912.L.17.15, 17; 		
05.0	Initiate a Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) program based on identified career opportunities – the student will be able to:				
05.01	Identify career opportunities in agriscience.				
05.02	Identify how careers are classified and determine preparation requirements.				
05.03	Plan a supervised agricultural experience program.	LAFS.910.W.3.7, 8, 9
LAFS.910.L.1.2
LAFS.910.SL.3.6			
05.04	Demonstrate employability skills.				
06.0	Demonstrate basic leadership skills in parliamentary procedure, public speaking, and group dynamics – the student will be able to:				
06.01	Explain the importance of effective leadership.				
06.02	Prepare and present an oral report.	LAFS.910.W.1.2, 
LAFS.910.SL.2.6
LAFS.910.L.3.6			
06.03	Prepare and submit a written report on an agriscience topic.	LAFS.910.W.1.2, 
LAFS.910.SL.2.6
LAFS.910.L.3.6, LAFS.910.L.1.2			
06.04	Describe the opportunities available through the FFA organization.	LAFS.910.SL.2.4, LAFA.910.L.3.6			
07.0	Demonstrate basic skills in natural resources – the student will be able to:				
07.01	Determine the major sources of air pollution and identify procedures for maintaining, improving air quality, and identify Best Management Practices for air quality.		SC.912.L.17.15, 16, 18; SC.912.E.6.6		
07.02	Determine the relationships between water and soil in our environment and determine practices for conserving these resources.		SC.912.L.17.16; SC.912.L.18.12; SC.912.E.7.3		
07.03	Determine the origin and classification of soils, and identify effective procedures for soils and hydroponics Best Management Practices.		SC.912.E.7.3; SC.912.L.17.19		
07.04	Compare the relationship of forests to our environment and select Best Management Practices for utilizing forest resources.		SC.912.L.17.11, 17; 		
07.05	Describe the relationship between wildlife and the environment and identify approved practices in managing wildlife enterprises.				
07.06	Identify the biological requirements necessary for the production of aquatic plants and animals.				
08.0	Demonstrate basic skills in pest management – the student will be able to:				
08.01	Identify the major pest groups and the importance of effective pest Best Management Practices.		SC.912.L.17.13, 17; 		
08.02	Classify the various means used to control pest		SC.912.P.8.7 SC.912.L.14.46		
08.03	Define terms regarding chemical safety.	LAFS.910.L.3.6	SC.912.L.17.16		
08.04	Demonstrate safety in the use of chemicals.		SC.912.L.14.6; SC.912.L.17.16		
09.0	Demonstrate the fundamental skills in plant science – the student will be able to:				
09.01	Identify the major parts of plants and state the important functions of each.		SC.912.L.14.53; SC.912.L.14.7		
09.02	Describe how plants make food.	LAFS.910.SL.1.1, LAFS.910.L.3.6	SC.912.L.18.7, 9; 		
09.03	Describe the relationships among air, soil, water, and essential plant nutrients.	LAFS.910.SL.2.4, LAFS.910.L.3.6	SC.912.L.17.10; SC.912.L.14.7		
09.04	Identify the methods used by plants to reproduce themselves and demonstrate propagation technology.				
09.05	Plan, plant and manage a garden.				
09.06	Identify the basic principles of fruit and nut production.		SC.912.L.14.7, 8; 		
09.07	Identify the basic principles of vegetable production.		SC.912.L.14.7		
09.08	Identify the major crops grown for grain, oil, and specialty purposes.		SC.912.L.14.53		
09.09	Identify the major crops grown for forage and pasture.		SC.912.L.14.53		
10.0	Demonstrate the aesthetic and environmental uses of plants – the student will be able to:				
10.01	Identify and maintain indoor plants.		SC.912.L.17.8, 20; SC.912.L.18.7, 9; SC,912.N.4.2		
10.02	State the basic cultural practices for turfgrass production and maintenance.	LAFS.910.SL.2.4
LAFS.910.L.3.6	SC.912.L.17.8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 16, 17, 20; SC,912.N.4.2		
10.03	Identify and maintain trees and shrubs.		SC.912.L.17.4, 8, 10, 11, 13; 
SC.912.L.18.7, 9; SC,912.N.4.2		
11.0	Demonstrate the basic skills in animal science – the student will be able to:				
11.01	Determine the basic nutritional requirements of animals.		SC.912.L.18.1, 2, 3, 4; SC.912.L.14.46; SC.912.N.2.4		
11.02	Identify the factors promoting and maintaining animal health.		SC.912.L.18.1, 2, 3, 4; SC.912.L.14.6, 31, 32, 33; SC.912.N.2.4		
11.03	Define terms associated with animal genetics and reproduction, and describe the principles of genetics.	LAFS.910.L.3.6	SC.912.L.15.15; SC.912.L.16.2, 4, 9; SC.912.L.14.33; SC.912.N.2.4		
11.04	Identify the types, uses, care, and management of small animals.		SC.912.L.14.6; SC.912.L.15.4, 5; SC.912.L.17.1, 6; SC.912.N.2.4		
11.05	Identify major types and classes of livestock and horses.		SC.912.L.15.4, 5; SC.912.L.17.6, 20; SC.912.L.17.6		
12.0	Demonstrate the fundamental skills in food science and technology – the student will be able to:				
12.01	Describe procedures for marketing plants and animal products.		SC.912.N.4.2		
12.02	Describe the elements, trends, and career opportunities in the food industry.	LAFS.910.SL.2.4
LAFS.910.L.3.6			
12.03	Describe the nutrient requirements for human health.	LAFS.910.SL.2.4
LAFS.910.L.3.6	SC.912.L.14.46; SC.912.L.18.1, 2, 3, 4		
12.04	Identify the major scientific processes used in food production..		SC.912.P.8.2, 8; SC.912.N.2.4		
12.05	Identify three changes mandated by FSMA (Food Safety Modernization Act)				
13.0	Demonstrate the basic skills in agricultural business management – the student will be able to:				
13.01	Define management terms and determine how decisions are made.	LAFS.910.L.3.6			
13.02	Define and describe entrepreneurship.	LAFS.910.L.3.6			
13.03	Solve basic arithmetic problems associated with agribusiness management.				
14.0	Demonstrate the basic mechanical skills – the student will be able to:				
14.01	Identify basic hardware and fasteners.				
14.02	State the safety precautions and demonstrate appropriate behavior while working in the shop area.	LAFS.910.SL.2.4
LAFS.910.L.3.6			
14.03	Identify the basic principles and use of electricity.		SC.912.P.10.15		
14.04	Identify and correctly use hand and power tools common to the agricultural shop.		SC.912.P.12.2		
14.05	Identify the controls and safely operate a farm tractor.		SC.912.P.12.2		
14.06	Describe the basic operation of internal combustion engines.	LAFS.910.SL.2.4
LAFS.910.L.3.6	SC.912.P.12.10		
14.07	Service and operate small gasoline engines.				
14.08	Plan and construct a small woodworking project.				
14.09	Solve basic arithmetic problems associated with agriculture mechanics.				

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)

FFA is the intercurricular career and technical student organization 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 Occupational Completion Point (OCP) or a Modified Occupational Completion Point (MOCP). 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 an OCP/MOCP. The student should work on different competencies and new applications of competencies each year toward completion of the OCP/MOCP. 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