2007 Mississippi Curriculum Framework: Secondary Agriscience. (Program CIP: 01.0000 - Agriculture, General)
Author: Cantrell, Steve
Date: 2007-00-00
Type: Reports - Descriptive
Subjects: Foods Instruction,Curriculum Design,State Legislation,Agricultural Education,Standards,Soil Science,Entomology,Information Systems,Biotechnology,Student Organizations,Vocational Education,Educational Change,Accountability,Formative Evaluation,Summative Evaluation,Guidelines,Federal Legislation,Animal Husbandry,Environmental Education,Natural Resources,Career Development,Field Experience Programs,Scoring Rubrics

Secondary vocational-technical education programs in Mississippi are faced with many challenges resulting from sweeping educational reforms at the national and state levels. Schools and teachers are increasingly being held accountable for providing true learning activities to every student in the classroom. This accountability is measured through increased requirements for mastery and attainment of competency as documented through both formative and summative assessments. The courses in this document reflect the statutory requirements as found in Section 37-3-49, Mississippi Code of 1972, as amended (Section 37-3-46). In addition, this curriculum reflects guidelines imposed by federal and state mandates (Laws, 1988, ch. 487, Section 14; Laws, 1991, ch. 423, Section 1; Laws, 1992, ch. 519, Section 4 effective from and after July 1, 1992; Carl D. Perkins Vocational Education Act III, 1998; and No Child Left Behind Act of 2001). Agriscience provides a study of selected areas of agricultural science. Students will investigate agricultural science topics including biotechnology, animal science, mechanical technology, food science, fiber science, plant science, soil science, environmental and natural resources, and entomology. These concepts are taught through classroom and laboratory instruction and applications such as the Supervised Agricultural Experience Program (SAE) and FFA Career Development Activities. This program will utilize the problem solving method of instruction and will rely upon the agricultural information systems, including the Internet. Leadership, citizenship, and cooperation skills are taught through participation in FFA activities. The FFA is an intra-curricular vocational student organization designed to provide a learning laboratory for the implementation of this curriculum. Graduates may be employed at the entry level or pursue careers through agriculture, agribusiness, or natural resources education in postsecondary or higher education. Agriscience is intended to be a two-year course of study. Students completing the first year of the program will receive one Carnegie unit in science (seniors of school year 2007-2008). Students completing the two-course sequence will receive two Carnegie units in science (seniors of school year 2008-2009 and later). Students completing the Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) may receive an additional 0.5 Carnegie units for each year. Appended are: (1) Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources Standards; (2) Academic Standards; (3) 21st Century Skills; and (4) Rubrics. A list of suggested references is provided for each unit. (Contains 6 footnotes.)