Horticulture Sciences

8034 36 weeks

Instructional Framework for Agricultural Education

Developed by

Horticulture Sciences Writing Team
and the
CTE Resource Center

Developed for

Office of Career and Technical Education Services
Virginia Department of Education
Richmond, Virginia

Foreword

To help students select appropriate courses of study to achieve their educational and occupational objectives, the Virginia Department of Education’s Office of Career and Technical Education Services places Virginia’s CTE courses within a structure of 16 career clusters developed by the U.S. Department of Education. Each cluster is subdivided into various pathways and occupations. These structural components are defined as follows:

  • career cluster: a grouping of occupations and broad industries based on a core of common knowledge and skills
  • pathway: a broad subdivision of a career cluster leading to a number of related occupations
  • occupation: one of several specific job titles representing various levels of employment within a particular pathway
Several courses from one CTE program area may be chosen for completion in a coherent sequence, forming a concentration that prepares students for one or more occupations and supports additional education and training in the industry. Courses from various CTE program areas may also be combined in a program mix to enhance career goals. Course concentration sequences are identified in the CTE Administrative Planning Guide (APG), found online at http://www.cteresource.org/apg/.

A CTE completer is a student who meets the requirements for a CTE concentration and all other requirements for high school graduation or an approved alternative education program. Completers of certain CTE courses may be eligible for certification by an industry, professional organization, or trade association, or for licensure from the Commonwealth of Virginia. Completers may also be qualified to receive the Virginia Board of Education’s Advanced Mathematics and Technology Seal or its Career and Technical Education Seal and/or a student-selected verified credit. Information about the requirements for receiving these diploma seals and a verified credit is found in the APG at the Web site listed above.

This instructional framework presents the tasks/competencies validated by industry experts as essential statewide and required of all students enrolled in the course. Any tasks/competencies not designated as essential are considered optional and may be taught at the discretion of the school division. Also at the school division’s discretion, teachers may add tasks/competencies to supplement instruction and to meet their students’ needs.

The intent of this framework is to guide Virginia teachers in providing on-target, up-to-date, quality instruction leading to their students’ success in subsequent educational and career endeavors.

Elizabeth M. Russell, Director
Office of Career and Technical Education Services
Virginia Department of Education

Acknowledgments

The components of this instructional framework were developed by

Shannon T. Allen, Curriculum Specialist, Agricultural and Extension Education, Virginia Tech
Wayne Ambler, Horticulture Teacher, Patrick Henry High School (Ashland)
Deborah Barker, Horticulture Teacher, Laurel Park High School
Jane Clark, Horticulture Teacher, Abingdon High School
Dr. Alan McDaniel, Associate Professor, Horticulture, Virginia Tech
Diane O’Malley, Horticulture Teacher, Franklin County High School
Ray Rorrer, Horticulture Teacher, Monroe Technical Center
Karen Voda, Horticulture Teacher, Fairfax High School
Anthony Woodyard, Director of Academic Products, Horticopia, Inc.

The framework was edited and produced by the CTE Resource Center:

Margaret L. Watson, Administrative Coordinator
Bruce B. Stevens, Writer/Editor

Dr. Glenn A. Anderson, Specialist, Agricultural Education
Office of Career and Technical Education Services
Virginia Department of Education

Copyright ©2003

Virginia Department of Education
P.O. Box 2120
Richmond, VA 23218-2120

Edited and produced by
CTE Resource Center
Margaret L. Watson, Administrative Coordinator
Bruce B. Stevens, Writer/Editor

The Center is a grant project of the Virginia Department of Education, Office of Career and Technical Education Services, and is administered by Henrico County Public Schools, Department of Career and Technical Education.

CTE Resource Center
2002 Bremo Road, Lower Level
Richmond, VA 23226
Phone: 804/673-3778
Fax: 804/673-3798
Web address: http://www.CTEresource.org

Notice to the Reader

In accordance with the requirements of the Civil Rights Act and other federal and state laws and regulations, this document has been reviewed to ensure that it does not reflect stereotypes based on sex, race, or national origin.

The Virginia Department of Education does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age, or disability in employment or in its educational programs or services.

The activity that is the subject of this report was supported in whole or in part by the U.S. Department of Education. However, the opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the position or policy of the U.S. Department of Education, and no official endorsement by the U.S. Department of Education should be inferred.