| (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.
Corequisite: Practicum in Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources.
This course must be taken concurrently with Practicum in Agriculture,
Food, and Natural Resources and may not be taken as a stand-alone
course. Students shall be awarded one credit 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/resources.
(3) Extended Practicum in Agriculture, Food, and Natural
Resources, a corequisite course, 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) participate in a paid or an unpaid, laboratory
or work-based application of previously studied knowledge and skills
related to agriculture, food, and natural resources;
(B) participate in training, education, or preparation
for licensure, certification, or other relevant credentials to prepare
for employment;
(C) demonstrate professional standards needed to be
employable such as punctuality, time management, initiative, and cooperation
with increased fluency;
(D) demonstrate teamwork and conflict-management skills
with increased fluency to achieve collective goals; and
(E) demonstrate planning and time-management skills
and tools with increased fluency to enhance results and complete work
tasks.
(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 as an experiential learning
activity; 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 implements advanced professional communications
strategies. The student is expected to:
(A) apply appropriate content knowledge, technical
concepts, and vocabulary with increased fluency to analyze information
and follow directions;
(B) demonstrate verbal communication consistently in
a clear, concise, and effective manner;
(C) demonstrate non-verbal communication consistently
and effectively; and
(D) analyze, interpret, and effectively communicate
information, data, and observations.
(5) The student applies concepts of critical thinking
and problem solving. The student is expected to:
(A) apply critical-thinking skills with increased fluency
both independently and collaboratively to solve problems and make
decisions; and
(B) demonstrate the use of content, technical concepts,
and vocabulary when analyzing information and following directions.
(6) The student understands and applies proper safety
techniques in the workplace. The student is expected to:
(A) demonstrate and consistently follow workplace safety
rules and regulations;
(B) demonstrate safe operation of tools and equipment;
(C) troubleshoot equipment when operation fails;
(D) demonstrate safe handling and proper disposal of
supplies;
(E) identify unsafe conditions or practices; and
(F) describe procedures for reporting and handling
accidents and safety incidents.
(7) The student documents growth in advanced technical
knowledge and skills. The student is expected to:
(A) develop advanced technical knowledge and skills
related to the student's occupational objective;
(B) demonstrate growth of technical skill competencies;
(C) evaluate personal strengths and weaknesses in technical
skill proficiency; and
(D) update a professional portfolio.
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