Section 127.58 - Advanced Plant and Soil Science (One Credit), Adopted 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. Prerequisites: Biology; either Chemistry or Integrated Physics and Chemistry (IPC); Algebra I; Geometry; and either Horticultural Science, Greenhouse Operation and Production, or Floral Design. Recommended prerequisite: Principles of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources. Students must meet the 40% laboratory and fieldwork requirement. This course satisfies a high school science graduation requirement. Students shall be awarded one credit for successful completion of this course.(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) Advanced Plant and Soil Science provides a way of learning about the natural world. In this course, students learn how plant and soil science has influenced a vast body of knowledge, that there are still applications to be discovered, and that plant and soil science is the basis for many other fields of science. To prepare for careers in plant and soil science, students must attain academic knowledge and skills, acquire technical knowledge and skills related to plant and soil science and 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) Nature of science. Science, as defined by the National Academy of Sciences, is the "use of evidence to construct testable explanations and predictions of natural phenomena, as well as the knowledge generated through this process." This vast body of changing and increasing knowledge is described by physical, mathematical, and conceptual models. Students should know that some questions are outside the realm of science because they deal with phenomena that are not scientifically testable.(5) Scientific hypotheses and theories. Students are expected to know that: (A) hypotheses are tentative and testable statements that must be capable of being supported or not supported by observational evidence. Hypotheses of durable explanatory power that have been tested over a wide variety of conditions are incorporated into theories; and(B) scientific theories are based on natural and physical phenomena and are capable of being tested by multiple independent researchers. Unlike hypotheses, scientific theories are well established and highly reliable explanations, but they may be subject to change as new areas of science and new technologies are developed.(6) Scientific inquiry. Scientific inquiry is the planned and deliberate investigation of the natural world using scientific and engineering practices. Scientific methods of investigation are descriptive, comparative, or experimental. The method chosen should be appropriate to the question being asked. Student learning for different types of investigations include descriptive investigations, which involve collecting data and recording observations without making comparisons; comparative investigations, which involve collecting data with variables that are manipulated to compare results; and experimental investigations, which involve processes similar to comparative investigations but in which a control is identified.(A) Scientific practices. Students should be able to ask questions, plan and conduct investigations to answer questions, and explain phenomena using appropriate tools and models.(B) Engineering practices. Students should be able to identify problems and design solutions using appropriate tools and models.(7) Science and social ethics. Scientific decision making is a way of answering questions about the natural world involving its own set of ethical standards about how the process of science should be carried out. Students should be able to distinguish between scientific decision-making methods (scientific methods) and ethical and social decisions that involve science (the application of scientific information).(8) Science consists of recurring themes and making connections between overarching concepts. Recurring themes include systems, models, and patterns. All systems have basic properties that can be described in space, time, energy, and matter. Change and constancy occur in systems as patterns and can be observed, measured, and modeled. These patterns help to make predictions that can be scientifically tested, while models allow for boundary specification and provide tools for understanding the ideas presented. Students should analyze a system in terms of its components and how these components relate to each other, to the whole, and to the external environment.(9) Students are encouraged to participate in extended learning experiences such as career and technical student organizations and other leadership or extracurricular organizations.(10) 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) identify career and entrepreneurship opportunities for a chosen occupation in the field of plant science and develop a plan for obtaining the education, training, and certifications required;(B) model professionalism by continuously exhibiting appropriate work habits, solving problems, taking initiative, communicating effectively, listening actively, and thinking critically;(C) model appropriate personal and occupational safety practices and explain the importance of established safety and health protocols for the workplace;(D) analyze and interpret the rights and responsibilities, including ethical conduct and legal responsibilities, of employers and employees; and(E) describe and demonstrate characteristics of good citizenship in the agricultural workplace, including promoting stewardship, community leadership, civic engagement, and agricultural awareness and literacy.(2) Scientific and engineering practices. The student, for at least 40% of instructional time, asks questions, identifies problems, and plans and safely conducts classroom, laboratory, and field investigations to answer questions, explain phenomena, or design solutions using appropriate tools and models. The student is expected to:(A) ask questions and define problems based on observations or information from text, phenomena, models, or investigations;(B) apply scientific practices to plan and conduct descriptive, comparative, and experimental investigations and use engineering practices to design solutions to problems;(C) use appropriate safety equipment and practices during laboratory, classroom, and field investigations as outlined in Texas Education Agency-approved safety standards;(D) use appropriate tools such as microscopes, measuring equipment, sensors, plant propagation tools, soil testing kits, and calculators;(E) collect quantitative data using the International System of Units (SI) and qualitative data as evidence;(F) organize quantitative and qualitative data using graphs and charts;(G) develop and use models to represent phenomena, systems, processes, or solutions to engineering problems; and(H) distinguish between scientific hypotheses, theories, and laws.(3) Scientific and engineering practices. The student analyzes and interprets data to derive meaning, identify features and patterns, and discover relationships or correlations to develop evidence-based arguments or evaluate designs. The student is expected to: (A) identify advantages and limitations of models such as their size, scale, properties, and materials;(B) analyze data by identifying significant statistical features, patterns, sources of error, and limitations;(C) use mathematical calculations to assess quantitative relationships in data; and(D) evaluate experimental and engineering designs.(4) Scientific and engineering practices. The student develops evidence-based explanations and communicates findings, conclusions, and proposed solutions. The student is expected to:(A) develop explanations and propose solutions supported by data and models and consistent with scientific ideas, principles, and theories;(B) communicate explanations and solutions individually and collaboratively in a variety of settings and formats; and(C) engage respectfully in scientific argumentation using applied scientific explanations and empirical evidence.(5) Scientific and engineering practices. The student knows the contributions of scientists and recognizes the importance of scientific research and innovation on society. The student is expected to:(A) analyze, evaluate, and critique scientific explanations and solutions by using empirical evidence, logical reasoning, and experimental and observational testing so as to encourage critical thinking by the student;(B) relate the impact of past and current research on scientific thought and society, including research methodology, cost-benefit analysis, and contributions of diverse scientists as related to the content; and(C) research and explore resources such as museums, libraries, professional organizations, private companies, online platforms, and mentors employed in a science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) field in order to investigate STEM careers.(6) 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.(7) 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.(8) The student understands interrelationships between plants, soil, and people in historical and current contexts. The student is expected to: (A) research and document major historical milestones related to plant and soil science in human civilization;(B) explain how humans have influenced plant selection and how plant selection has influenced civilization's development;(C) analyze the effect of soil properties on settlement of civilizations and migration; and(D) investigate and explain how plants have shaped major world economies.(9) The student identifies how plants grow and how specialized cells, tissues, and organs develop. The student is expected to:(A) describe the unique structure and function of organelles in plant cells;(B) explain the growth and division of plant cells;(C) compare cells from different parts of the plant, including roots, stems, flowers, and leaves, to show specialization of structures and functions; and(D) illustrate the levels of cellular organization in plants.(10) The student develops a knowledge of plant anatomy and functions. The student is expected to: (A) describe the structure and function of plant parts, including roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits, and seeds;(B) compare the anatomy of monocots and dicots;(C) compare the various propagation methods for plants; and(D) identify the functions of modified plant structures such as tubers, rhizomes, pseudo stems, and pitchers.(11) The student develops an understanding of plant physiology and nutrition. The student is expected to: (A) explain the metabolic process of photosynthesis and cellular respiration;(B) describe the role of mineral nutrition in the soil for plant development;(C) identify the essential nutrients in soil; and(D) describe the role of macronutrients and micronutrients in plants.(12) The student analyzes soil science as it relates to plant and human activity. The student is expected to: (A) explain soil formation;(B) investigate and document the properties of soils, including texture, horizons, structure, color, parent materials, and fertility;(C) identify and classify soil orders;(D) explain methods of soil conservation such as crop rotation, mulching, terracing, cover cropping, and contour plowing;(E) describe the application of soil mechanics to buildings, landscapes, and crop production;(F) research and explain soil management practices such as tillage trials and sustainable soil management practices;(G) practice and explain soil evaluations related to experiential activities such as land judging;(H) evaluate and determine soil health through soil testing; and(I) analyze concepts of soil ecology.(13) The student maps the process of soil formation influenced by weathering, including erosion processes due to water, wind, and mechanical factors influenced by climate. The student is expected to:(A) illustrate the role of weathering in soil formations;(B) distinguish between chemical weathering and mechanical weathering;(C) identify geological formations that result from differing weathering processes; and(D) describe the role of biotic factors in soil formation.(14) The student explains the relationship of biotic and abiotic factors within habitats and ecosystems and their effects on plant ecology. The student is expected to: (A) identify and define plant populations, ecosystems, communities, and biomes;(B) distinguish between native and introduced plants in an ecosystem;(C) investigate and describe characteristics of native and introduced plants;(D) make observations and compile data about fluctuations in abiotic cycles;(E) describe the effects of fluctuations in abiotic cycles on local ecosystems; and(F) describe potential positive and negative impacts of human activity such as pest control, hydroponics, monoculture planting, and sustainable agriculture on ecosystems.(15) The student evaluates components of plant science as they relate to crop production and advancements. The student is expected to:(A) analyze the genetics and evolution of various crops;(B) identify and classify plants according to taxonomy;(C) identify characteristics related to seed quality, including mechanical damage, viability, and grade;(D) identify plant pests and diseases using laboratory equipment such as microscopes, test kits, and technology;(E) evaluate the effectiveness of plant management practices, including germination tests, plant spacing trials, and fertilizer tests;(F) analyze trends in crop species and varieties grown locally in Texas and the United States and how trends affect producers and consumers; and(G) investigate and identify recent advancements in plant and soil science such as biotechnology, artificial intelligence, and drone, infrared, and sensor technologies.(16) The student describes the relationship between resources within environmental systems. The student is expected to: (A) summarize and evaluate methods of land use and management;(B) identify sources, quality, and conservation of water in plant production;(C) explore and describe conservation practices such as rainwater collection, water-conserving irrigation systems, and use of biofuels;(D) analyze and evaluate the economic significance and interdependence of components of the environment;(E) debate the impact of human activity and technology on soil health and plant productivity;(F) research and summarize the impact of natural disasters on soil health and plant productivity; and(G) explain how regional changes in the environment may have a global effect.(17) The student describes the dynamics of soil on watersheds and its effects on plant growth and production. The student is expected to:(A) identify and record the characteristics of a local watershed such as average annual rainfall, runoff patterns, aquifers, location of water basins, and surface reservoirs; and(B) analyze the impact of floods, drought, irrigation, urbanization, and industrialization in a watershed.(18) The student analyzes plant and soil science as it relates to plant and soil relationships affecting the production of food, fiber, and other economic crops. The student is expected to:(A) explain the importance and interrelationship of soil and plants;(B) compare soil and plants in agricultural and urban settings;(C) explain growing plants without soil (hydroponic techniques); and(D) evaluate advantages and disadvantages of hydroponics.(19) The student demonstrates skills related to the human, scientific, and technological dimensions of crop production and the resources necessary for producing domesticated plants. The student is expected to: (A) describe the growth and development of major agricultural crops in Texas such as cotton, corn, sorghum, sugarcane, wheat, and rice;(B) apply principles of genetics and plant breeding to plant production;(C) illustrate the development of new crop varieties that are developed over time;(D) design and conduct investigations to test principles of genetics; and(E) identify and test alternative growing methods such as hydroponics and aquaponics used in plant production.19 Tex. Admin. Code § 127.58
Adopted by Texas Register, Volume 49, Number 36, September 6, 2024, TexReg 6996, eff. 9/9/2024