Cow/Calf Production 10, 20, 30 Agriculture Technician Program: Curriculum Guide

There are three areas of importance in this curriculum on which teachers will collect data on student progress. Teachers should clearly outline their expectations of students and make students aware of the expectations for content (concept attainment), application (knowledge of processes), and experiential knowledge.

Refer to Saskatchewan Education’s Student Evaluation: A Teacher Handbook (1991) for examples of a variety of evaluation and assessment techniques.

Program Evaluation

Program evaluation is the systematic process of gathering and analyzing information about some aspect of the school program in order to make a decision or to communicate to others what is happening in a program.

By its nature, Cow/Calf Production 10, 20, 30 can accommodate the interests and needs of each individual student. The course also depends on the co-operation of farmers-trainers. Although assessment is time-consuming, the course should be assessed regularly to ensure that:

· the co-operating farmer-trainer/student relationship is successfully operating

· the program provides meaningful awareness, adequate exploration opportunities, and relevant experiences.

Techniques for gathering and analyzing information on the course are anecdotal records, interviews and surveys at various times of the year. The information that is gathered can be used to make decisions about the program in future years.

Relationship to Saskatchewan Agriculture, Food and Rural Revitalization’s Green Certificate Program

The Cow/Calf Production 10, 20, 30 is based upon Saskatchewan Agriculture, Food and Rural Revitalization’s (SAFRR) Green Certificate Program - Technician Level. The following chart indicates the relationship with SAFRR’s Green Certificate Program. Students or teachers should contact SAFRR’s Green Certificate Program at (306) 787-8191 for more information.

Agriculture Technician Program		Saskatchewan Agriculture, Food and Rural Revitalization’s Green Certificate Program
Cow/Calf Production 10 – Introductory modules 1 Secondary Level credit
Cow/Calf Production 20 – Intermediate modules 1 Secondary Level credit	Þ	Green Certificate Program Level I: Technician
Cow/Calf Production 30 – Advanced modules 1 Secondary Level credit

Students completing all three courses of Cow/Calf Production will be eligible for certification as a

Level I Technician: Cow/Calf Production through Saskatchewan Agriculture, Food and Rural Revitalization. This applies for all production sectors with the exception of pork. Students completing the pork production sector may be eligible to receive credit in SIAST’s pork management program once articulation processes have been completed with Saskatchewan Learning and the Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission (ATCC).

The ATEC Program relies on a partnership of students, teachers, and co-operating farmers-trainers. Teachers are encouraged to involve Saskatchewan Agriculture, Food and Rural Revitalization’s Green Certificate Coordinator to assist in the program.

The following chart outlines the roles and responsibilities of each person involved in the ATEC Program. Teachers should review this information prior to making arrangements for delivery of the program.

Roles, Responsibilities and Accountability

The following charts indicate the role of each person involved in the ATEC Program.

Note: Working with the Saskatchewan Agriculture, Food and Rural Revitalization’s Green Certificate Program is considered optional but is recommended in order for students to receive high school credit as well as receive certification through the Saskatchewan Agriculture, Food and Rural Revitalization Green Certificate Program. SAFRR’s Green Certificate Program can also provide students with various learning opportunities through workshops, symposiums, and demonstrations.

Teacher

Read, interpret and comply with policy regarding Work Study, including completion of a Work-based Learning Consent Form and registration with the Regional Office of Learning.

Identify course needs of students and ensure the registration process.

Determine if the work site is acceptable. Facilitate the location and approval of a suitable training site. The co-operating farmers-trainers should:

· be qualified in the occupation

· be able and willing to give direction to the student

· have time to supervise and give direction.

Ensure that the work place is safe, complying with Occupational Health and Safety Standards.

Supervise the student’s on-site work experience in accordance with school and Saskatchewan Learning’s policies.

Monitor student and co-operating farmer-trainer on a regular basis for progress and results on training.

Provide for sound education program for students.

Evaluate students.

Optional: Communicate with Saskatchewan Agriculture, Food and Rural Revitalization’s Green Certificate Coordinator. Look for opportunities which would be of mutual benefit, (i.e., symposiums, testing days for training periods, locating co-operating farmers-trainers, tour sites).

Student

Show initiative in taking the course and understanding the course requirements.

Establish an individual learning contract.

Participate in training sessions, symposiums, and meetings.

Learn the skills outlined in the course to the level required.

Work with the co-operating farmers-trainers to learn and acquire basic competencies.

Maintain records in the Student Reference Manual.

Keep records, prepare reports, and complete other evaluation procedures required by the teacher to receive high school credit in the course.

Optional: Attend a test day for a training period as required by Saskatchewan Agriculture, Food and Rural Revitalization’s Green Certificate Program.

Co-operating Farmer-Trainer

Participate in orientation for the ATEC Program.

Spend time and energy to help in the training of the student.

Provide a safe learning environment for students.

Ensure that students have achieved competence in the skills according to the various standards outlined in the course.

Communicate with the teacher on the student’s program.

SAFRR Green Certificate Coordinator (Optional)

Work with the teacher to establish the program.

Recognize the difference between the roles of the teacher, the co-operating farmer-trainer, student and SAFRR Green Certificate Coordinator.

Provide information and outline the process to students who wish to enroll in the ATEC Program for high school credit as well as receive certification through Saskatchewan Agriculture, Food and Rural Revitalization’s Green Certificate Program – Technician Level.

Help supply materials, manuals, and other resources which support the delivery of the program.

If requested by the teacher, help identify suitable co-operating farmers-trainers for various production sectors.

Invite students to participate in test days for training periods, workshops or symposiums.

Arrange testers and organize test days.

* These tables have been modified from Battle River Regional Division #31 (1997), Green Certificate Program: Handbook for Administrators and School Coordinators, Camrose, AB.