Current through Reg. 49, No. 38; September 20, 2024
(a) Implementation. The provisions
of this section shall be implemented by school districts beginning with the 2025-2026 school year.
(b) General requirements. This course is recommended for students in Grades
11 and 12. The practicum course is a paid or an unpaid capstone experience for students participating in a
coherent sequence of career and technical education courses in the Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources
Career Cluster. Prerequisite: a minimum of two credits with at least one course in a Level 2 or higher course
from the Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources Career Cluster. Students shall be awarded two credits for
successful completion of this course. A student may repeat this course once for credit provided that the
student is experiencing different aspects of the industry and demonstrating proficiency in additional and
more advanced knowledge and skills.
(c) Introduction.
(1) Career and technical education instruction provides content aligned
with challenging academic standards and relevant technical knowledge and skills for students to further their
education and succeed in current or emerging professions.
(2) The
Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources Career Cluster focuses on the production, processing, marketing,
distribution, financing, and development of agricultural commodities and resources, including food, fiber,
wood products, natural resources, horticulture, and other plant and animal products and resources.
(3) Practicum in Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources is designed to
give students supervised practical application of knowledge and skills. Practicum experiences can occur in a
variety of locations appropriate to the nature and level of experiences such as employment, independent
study, internships, assistantships, mentorships, or laboratories. To prepare for careers in agriculture,
food, and natural resources, students must attain academic knowledge and skills, acquire technical knowledge
and skills related to the workplace, and develop knowledge and skills regarding career opportunities, entry
requirements, and industry expectations. To prepare for success, students need opportunities to learn,
reinforce, apply, and transfer their knowledge and skills and technologies in a variety of settings.
(4) Students are encouraged to participate in extended learning
experiences such as career and technical student organizations and other leadership or extracurricular
organizations.
(5) Statements that contain the word "including"
reference content that must be mastered, while those containing the phrase "such as" are intended as possible
illustrative examples.
(d) Knowledge and skills.
(1) The student demonstrates professional standards/employability skills as
required by business and industry. The student is expected to:
(A) adhere
to policies and procedures;
(B) demonstrate positive work
behaviors, including punctuality, time management, initiative, and cooperation;
(C) apply constructive criticism and critical feedback from supervisor and
peers to work performance;
(D) apply ethical reasoning to a
variety of situations in order to make ethical decisions;
(E)
model professional appearance, including using appropriate dress, grooming, and personal protective
equipment;
(F) comply with safety rules and regulations to
maintain safe working conditions and environments;
(G)
demonstrate a positive and productive work ethic by performing assigned tasks as directed; and
(H) comply with all applicable rules, laws, and regulations in a consistent
manner.
(2) The student develops a supervised
agricultural experience program. The student is expected to:
(A) plan,
propose, conduct, document, and evaluate a supervised agricultural experience program; and
(B) use appropriate record-keeping skills in a supervised agricultural
experience program.
(3) The student develops leadership
skills through participation in an agricultural youth organization. The student is expected to:
(A) participate in youth agricultural leadership opportunities;
(B) review and participate in a local program of activities; and
(C) create or update documentation of relevant agricultural experience such
as community service, professional, or classroom experiences.
(4) The student applies concepts of critical thinking and problem solving.
The student is expected to:
(A) analyze elements of a problem to develop
creative and innovative solutions that are practical for the agricultural workplace;
(B) compare alternative ways to solve a problem in the agricultural
workplace; and
(C) analyze data to inform agriculture operational
decisions or activities.
(5) The student demonstrates
leadership and teamwork skills to accomplish goals and objectives. The student is expected to:
(A) analyze leadership characteristics such as trustworthiness, positive
attitude, integrity, and work ethic;
(B) demonstrate teamwork
processes such as team building, consensus, continuous improvement, respect for the opinions of others,
cooperation, adaptability, and conflict resolution in the agricultural workplace;
(C) demonstrate responsibility for shared group and individual work tasks
in the agricultural workplace;
(D) establish and maintain
effective working relationships using interpersonal skills to accomplish objectives; and
(E) demonstrate respect for all individuals.
(6) The student demonstrates oral and written communication skills in
creating, expressing, and interpreting information and ideas, including technical terminology and
information. The student is expected to:
(A) apply appropriate content
knowledge, technical concepts, and vocabulary to analyze information and follow directions;
(B) use professional communication skills when receiving and conveying
information in the agricultural workplace;
(C) identify and
analyze information contained in informational texts, internet sites, or technical materials in the
agricultural workplace;
(D) evaluate verbal and nonverbal cues
and behaviors to enhance communication in the agricultural workplace;
(E) apply active listening skills to receive and clarify information in the
agricultural workplace; and
(F) produce effective written and
oral communication in the agricultural workplace.
(7)
The student practices financial literacy as it relates to agriculture. The student is expected to:
(A) develop a budget based on personal financial goals;
(B) interpret the different components of a pay stub;
(C) read and reconcile bank statements;
(D) maintain financial records, including pay stubs, bank statements, and
tax records;
(E) define credit and identify factors that impact a
credit score;
(F) identify methods to prevent identity theft;
and
(G) prepare or model how to complete a personal income tax
form.
(8) The student demonstrates technical knowledge
and skills required to pursue a career in the Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources Career Cluster. The
student is expected to:
(A) develop advanced technical knowledge and skills
related to the individual occupational objective;
(B) develop an
individualized training plan;
(C) evaluate personal strengths and
weaknesses in technical skill proficiency;
(D) explain safe
operation of tools and equipment related to the work experience;
(E) identify the cost of supplies, tools, equipment, or structures related
to the work experience;
(F) identify the importance of
maintaining supplies, tools, equipment, or structures related to the work experience; and
(G) identify opportunities for licensure or certification related to the
chosen career path.
(9) The student documents technical
knowledge and skills. The student is expected to:
(A) create a professional
portfolio that includes:
(i) attainment of technical skill
competencies;
(ii) licensures or certifications;
(iii) recognitions, awards, scholarships, or letters of recommendation;
(iv) extended learning experiences such as community service and
active participation in career and technical student organizations and professional organizations;
(v) a summary of individual practicum experience;
(vi) a resume;
(vii) samples of
work; and
(viii) an evaluation from the practicum supervisor;
and
(B) present the portfolio to interested
stakeholders.