Agriculture, Food, & Natural Resources Cluster: Plant Science Pathway
Core Code Alignment
CTE / Agricultural Education
Agricultural Sciences
30020000080: Plant and Soil Science I
Agricultural Sciences
30020000080: Plant and Soil Science I
Recommendation
Recommended Primary
Evaluation
Strengths: Comprehensive Scope: Covers a wide array of topics, including Plant Science, agribusiness, environmental services, food products and processing, and biotechnology. Career Pathways Alignment: Well-aligned with National AFNR Career Clusters, preparing students for various career opportunities in agriculture. STEM Integration: Incorporates science and technology concepts with practical, real-world applications in agriculture. Limitations: Limited Local Context: May not deeply reflect Utah-specific agricultural practices, issues, or ecosystems unless supplemented with regional content. Skill and Character Development Strengths: Leadership Opportunities: Supports FFA and SAE programs, encouraging responsibility, initiative, and leadership. Real-World Problem Solving: Encourages critical thinking and decision-making through case studies and hands-on projects. Connections to Utah's Values: Encourages traits like leadership, duty, service, and integrity, especially when paired with supervised agricultural experiences (SAEs). FFA activities promote civility, respect, and community service, aligning well with Utah’s character education goals.
Engagement and Relevance: Depending on the group, some content might feel textbook-heavy or too broad. Students benefit more when lessons are localized or made personally relevant.
Educators Using These Materials
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Material Categories
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Rubric : Career and Technical Education 2025
Compliance with State Law (Required)
| Item | 3 - Extensive | 2 - Adequate | 1 - Inadequate | 0 - None | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Sensitive Materials and Prohibited Submission 53G-10-103, R277-628 | NA | Does Not Violate Law | NA | May Violate Law | ||
| Materials in textbook do not have anything that would violate law. | ||||||
| Prohibited discriminatory practices 53G-2-103-5, 53B-1-118 and 67-27-107 | NA | Does Not Violate Law | NA | May Violate Law | ||
| Nothing in the materials found in textbook would fall under the category of discriminatory. | ||||||
| Maintaining constitutional freedom in the public schools. 53G-10-202 | NA | Does Not Violate Law | NA | May Violate Law | ||
| Constitutional freedom is preserved by materials presented in the textbook. | ||||||
Content
| Item | 3 - Extensive | 2 - Adequate | 1 - Inadequate | 0 - None | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Assessment Tools | The material provides numerous, quality assessment tools for students, including reflective questions, activities, and application of skills. | The material provides some assessment tools for students, such as including reflective questions, activities, or application of skills. | The material provides minimal assessment tools for students including very little reflective questions, activities, or application of skills. | The material does not provide assessment tools for students. | ||
| The Plant Science materials examined employ a rich variety of assessment types—each designed to ensure both depth of understanding and real-world applicability. | ||||||
| 2. Teacher Resources & Training | The material provides quality teacher resources, including questioning strategies, activity ideas, evaluation tools, and differentiation strategies. | The material provides some teacher resources, including questioning strategies, activity ideas, evaluation tools, or differentiation strategies. | The material provides minimal teacher resources, including very little questioning strategies, activity ideas, evaluation tools, or differentiation strategies. | The material does not provide teacher resources. | ||
| These teacher‐focused resources are thoughtfully designed to support effective instruction at every stage. Here’s how each category demonstrates quality and rigor, along with tips for putting them into practice. Targeted questioning techniques, creative activities, robust evaluation tools, and thoughtful differentiation strategies into your lessons, you’ll foster deep understanding, active engagement, and success for every learner in your Plant Science classroom. | ||||||
| 3. Ethnic Studies (Ethnic studies in core standards and curriculum should be a narrowly tailored incorporation of age-appropriate opportunities that naturally arise through education without pretextual effort in courses, programs, or activities where ethnic studies is not a primary focus. The material should incorporate curriculum of people and cultures that reflect the state’s various demographics without commentary that seeks to violate the neutrality standard established in codes: 53B-1-118, 53G-2-103, 53G-2-104, 53G-2-105, 67-27-107, | In addition to the content outlined in “Adequate,” this material offers multiple evidence-based supplemental resources and opportunities for learning about various forms of cultural philosophies and epistemologies from Utah, the United States, and worldwide. The materials provide cultural backgrounds, contemporary real-life experiences, and contexts that are relevant to local students. Some examples may include people with disabilities, various body types, and ages. | This material demonstrates respect for diverse socio-cultural identities. The material provides opportunities to acknowledge and integrate the histories, cultures, contributions, and perspectives of people from the United States and worldwide. The material accurately represents the cultures, languages, traditions, beliefs, values, and customs of people from diverse backgrounds through a variety of texts, examples, scenarios, imagery, and applications. | The material has limited themes of social and cultural histories within the United States and globally. The material provides limited examples of inclusive or cultural real-life experiences and does not include diverse characters. | The material does not meet the requirements within the ethnic studies core standards and curriculum requirements. (53E-4-204.1). | ||
| Textbook materials adequately provide cultural and ethnic backgrounds and application to real world application of Plant Science subject material. And could be easily adapted to supplement more ethnic material in teaching strategies. | ||||||
| 4. Shared Values and Character Traits | The material extends beyond the content outlined in "Adequate", it includes elements that connect Utahns to the world. The material offers multiple evidence-based supplemental resources and opportunities for cultivating character traits in students. The material offers multiple evidence-based supplemental resources and opportunities for cultivating character traits in students. Some examples may include characters with a variety of personalities, education, income, occupation, or behaviors that illustrate character traits. | The material focuses on the shared values of diverse people and communities, the common elements that unite Utahns, and displays some character traits in its imagery and content. It aims to cultivate character traits in students, such as courage, leadership, intelligence, integrity, honesty, respect, morality, civility, duty, honor, and service, along with principles found in the Constitution. | The material lacks a sense of shared values or common elements that unite Utahns. Furthermore, the material has limited resources addressing civic and character education. | The material does not meet the requirements within the ethnic studies core standards and curriculum requirements (53E-4-204.1) and civic and character education. (53G-10-204) | ||
| If you're incorporating this into your teaching, it could be a great foundation for discussions or projects around community identity, ethics, and citizenship. | ||||||
| 5. Utah CTE Course Standards Alignment | The material provides adequate preparation of skills through quality examples, explanations, and online resources of the content. | The material provides some preparation of skills through some examples, explanations, or online resources of the content. | The material provides minimal preparation of skills through minimal examples, explanations, or online resources of the content. | The material does not provide preparation of skills through examples, explanations, or online resources of the content. | ||
| The materials align with Utah CTE Course Standards Alignment. May need to add in some supplemental resources for units in SAE, Careers, FFA. | ||||||
| 6. Engagement | The material is engaging by appealing to student interest through interactive and performance-based activities and content. | The material provides some engagement to student interest through some interactive or performance-based activities and content. | The material provides minimal engagement to student interest and includes minimal interactive or performance-based activities. | The material does not provide engagement to student interest through use of interactive or performance-based activities. | ||
| The materials in text provide some engagement to real world application, and supplemental resources have performance based activities and content. | ||||||
| 7. Non-Text Content | The material contains authentic, relevant, applicable, and well-integrated non-text content (images, graphs, visual aids, etc.). | The material contains some authentic, relevant, applicable, integrated non-text content (images, graphs, visual aids, etc.) | The material contains minimal authentic, relevant, applicable, or integrated non-text content (images, graphs, visual aids, etc.) | The material does not contain authentic, relevant, applicable, or well-integrated non-text content (images, graphics, visual aids, etc.) | ||
| Overall images and integrated non-text material is good for enhancing understanding in the Plant Science field of study. Materials are relevant and applicable to the study of Plant Science. | ||||||
Work-Based Learning
| Item | 3 - Extensive | 2 - Adequate | 1 - Inadequate | 0 - None | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Industry Alignment | The material is aligned to industry standards through the use of research-based and real-world application of relevant, current terminology and content. | The material provides some alignment to industry standards through some use of research-based and real-world application of relevant or current terminology and content. | The material provides minimal alignment to industry standards through minimal use of research-based and real-world application of relevant or current terminology and content. | The material does not provide alignment to industry standards through the use of research-based and real-world application of relevant, current terminology and content. | ||
| Excellent materials for industry alignment to real world application. Materials are relevant and many resources for terminology | ||||||
| 2. 21st Century & Workplace Skills | The material engages readers in the development of 21st-century and workplace skills, providing a greater depth of knowledge of the content. | The material provides some development of 21st century and workplace skills, providing some deepening of knowledge of the content. | The material provides minimal development of 21st century or workplace skills, providing minimal deepening of knowledge of the content. | The material does not provide development of 21st century or workplace skills, resulting in no deepening of knowledge of the content. | ||
| Plant Science text effectively integrates the development of 21st-century skills alongside core academic content, making it a valuable resource for preparing students for both postsecondary education and the modern workforce. Through real-world scenarios, problem-solving activities, and project-based learning opportunities, the material promotes critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and digital literacy—key competencies outlined in frameworks such as the ISTE Standards and the Partnership for 21st Century Learning. The text also emphasizes career readiness by connecting academic concepts to practical applications in natural resource management, conservation, and sustainability. This depth of content, paired with skill-building opportunities, ensures students not only gain subject matter knowledge but also develop the competencies needed to succeed in evolving agricultural and environmental careers. | ||||||
Safety
| Item | 3 - Extensive | 2 - Adequate | 1 - Inadequate | 0 - None | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Lab Spaces | The material provides adequate preparation for hands-on learning experiences through the inclusion of content-related lab spaces and associated safety practices. | The material provides some preparation for hands-on learning experiences through some inclusion of content-related lab spaces or associated safety practices. | The material provides minimal preparation for hands-on learning experiences through minimal inclusion of content-related lab spaces or associated safety practices. | The material does not provide preparation for hands-on learning experiences through the inclusion of content-related lab spaces or associated safety practices. | ||
| Plant Science textbook provides basic preparation for hands-on learning, though there is room for improvement in integrating lab-oriented content. The text does touch on safety practices and environmental fieldwork, but this coverage tends to be generalized rather than deeply embedded in specific, lab-based instructional scenarios. | ||||||
| 2. Lab Equipment | The material provides adequate preparation for hands-on learning experiences through the inclusion of a wide range of current and content-relevant lab equipment with associated safety practices. | The material provides some preparation for hands-on learning experiences through some inclusion of current and content-relevant lab equipment or associated safety practices. | The material provides minimal preparation for hands-on learning experiences through minimal inclusion of current and content-relevant lab equipment or associated safety practices. | The material does not provide preparation for hands-on learning experiences through the inclusion of current and content-relevant lab equipment or associated safety practices. | ||
| Strengths: Introduction to Safety Protocols: The text includes foundational information on tool safety, personal protective equipment (PPE), and outdoor fieldwork guidelines, which are relevant to natural resource labs. Environmental Sampling and Field Studies: Some chapters offer simple field activities like soil sampling, water testing, or vegetation surveys, with safety considerations outlined. Clear Language for High School Learners: The language and organization of safety topics are accessible and align with high school-level comprehension. Limitations: Limited Lab Design Integration: The textbook doesn’t provide robust examples of dedicated lab layouts or instruction on managing a lab or shop space in an ag-ed setting. Safety Practices Not Centralized: Safety procedures are often scattered in sidebars or activity instructions rather than consolidated into a clear, standalone safety unit. Lack of Specific Ag Mechanics or Forestry Shop Guidelines: It misses opportunities to address safety in mechanics labs, greenhouse settings, or wood shops, which are common in agricultural programs. | ||||||
Material Characteristics (Total Points:9)
| Item | 3 - Extensive | 2 - Adequate | 1 - Inadequate | 0 - None | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Physical Characteristics | The material goes beyond the content outlined in "Adequate" by incorporating modern, up-to-date, and relatable visuals. | In physical terms, the material is interactive and provides high-quality audio-visual and tactile experiences for all users. | The material offers limited or low-quality audio-visual and tactile experiences for students, but it is reusable. | The content either has low audio-visual quality or is not intended for reuse. | ||
| Plant Science text offers a robust, interactive learning experience that is well-suited for secondary and postsecondary agricultural education settings. Physically, the materials are of high quality, featuring a durable layout designed for frequent classroom use. The text is supported by interactive digital content, which enhances engagement through high-resolution visuals, embedded videos, and simulations that support diverse learning modalities | ||||||
| 2. Technical Standards | The material surpasses the content outlined in "Adequate" by ensuring the safeguarding of student data privacy and easy installation or access without technical assistance. Furthermore, any licensing information is clearly stated in the description. | The materials meet all the requirements of federal and state laws, as well as accepted technical standards such as ISTE Standards and VPAT Compliance. Additional technical specifications and limitations, including hardware requirements, bandwidth demands, and software/web access restrictions, are clearly outlined in the description. The design of the materials allows for error-free installation or access without the need to purchase additional components. | The material is constrained by specifications that require additional materials, technical assistance, hardware, software, or infrastructure. Access to resources within the material expires after a trial period. | Student data privacy is at risk. | ||
| Plant Science text is designed with full compliance to federal and state educational requirements, making it a reliable choice for use in agriculture education programs. The digital and physical materials align with key technical standards, including ISTE Standards for students and educators, ensuring the integration of effective technology use in the classroom. Furthermore, the materials adhere to VPAT (Voluntary Product Accessibility Template) compliance, supporting accessibility for users with disabilities and ensuring equitable access across diverse learning environments. | ||||||
| 3. Adaptability | The material is currently relevant and adaptable for educators and students. The material can be customized for the needs of diverse learners. | Educators or students can utilize the material, but it may not be customizable for the needs of diverse learners. | The material has limited options to address adaptability for the needs of diverse learners. | The material is not suitable for different educational settings with diverse learners. | ||
| Plant Science text demonstrates strong adaptability, making it a valuable and current resource for today’s agriculture educators and students. The content reflects up-to-date industry practices and scientific knowledge, ensuring relevance to both academic and career pathways in animal and veterinary science. The material is designed with flexibility in mind, allowing instructors to customize lessons, assessments, and pacing to meet the specific needs of their classroom and instructional goals. It supports differentiation for diverse learners, offering varied instructional formats, language supports, and scaffolded learning tools. This ensures all students—including English language learners and those with special needs—can access and engage with the content effectively. | ||||||
UTAH STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
250 East 500 South
Salt Lake City, UT 84111-3204
Phone: 801.538.7807