Begin Planning Now

Preparing for the challenging high school years ahead is critical. A successful future depends on early planning and the right information on hand to make sound choices. It's important that you know about the educational opportunities that Agricultural Education provides.

Options are the Keys to Success

Whether you choose to enter college, go straight into the workforce, or do post high school studies at an area tech center, Agricultural Education can provide a solid foundation of skills needed for a more productive future. Students who choose to enter college will find their Agricultural Education classes have been excellent preparation for college courses. You may also choose to use vocational skills to help pay your way through college.

State High School Graduation Requirements (Standard Diploma)

HB 2886 has brought some changes to the High School Graduation Requirements.  Listed are the requirements mandated by HB 2886 for High School graduation. Additional courses may be required by the school district in which you are enrolled.   

Standard Diploma

4 units	Language Arts:    1 unit grammar and composition, and  3 units that may include but are not limited to the following courses: American Literature, English Literature, World Literature, Advanced English Courses, or other English courses with content and/or rigor equal to or above grammar and composition
3 units	Mathematics:  1 unit of Algebra I or Algebra I taught in a contextual methodology, and  2 which may include, but are not limited to the following courses: Algebra II, Geometry or Geometry taught in a contextual methodology, Trigonometry, Math Analysis or Precalculus, Calculus, Statistics and/or Probability; (Computer Science I and II; Mathematics of Finance*; Intermediate Algegra*; contextual mathematics courses which enhance technology preparation whether taught at a comprehensive high school, or technology center school when taken in the eleventh or twelfth grade, taught by a certified teacher and approved by the State Board of Education and the independent district board of education; mathematics courses taught at a technology center school by a teacher certified in the secondary subject area when taken in the eleventh or twelfth grade upon approval of the State Board of Education and the independent district board of education;) or other mathematics courses with content and/or rigor equal to or above Algebra I. *Contact the State Department of Education School Improvement Division to obtain the curriculum outline approved by the State Board of Education.
3 units	Science:       1 unit Biology I or Biology I taught in a contextual methodology, and  2 in the areas of:  Life, Physical, or Earth science or technology which may include but are not limited to the following courses:  Chemistry I, Physics, Biology II, Chemistry II, Physical Science, Earth Science, Botany, Zoology, Physiology, Astronomy, Applied Biology/Chemistry, Applied Physics, Principles of Technology, Qualified Agricultural Education Courses (including but not limited to Horticulture, Plant and Soil Science, Natural Resources and Environmental Science, and Animal Science); Contextual science courses which enhance technology preparation whether taught at a comprehensive high school, or technology center school when taken in the eleventh or twelfth grade, taught by a certified teacher and approved by the State Board of Education and the independent district board of education; mathematics courses taught at a technology center school by a teacher certified in the secondary subject area when taken in the eleventh or twelfth grade upon approval of the State Board of Education and the independent district board of education;) or other science courses with content and/or rigor equal to or above Biology I. . (qualified Agricultural Education courses include Animal Science, Plant Science, Natural Resources, and Horticulture.  The courses must be taught by a Certified Agricultural Education instructor and follow all state rules and regulations for Agricultural Education programs.) Credit may be granted for Computer Science and , Applied Math I and II whether taught at the comprehensive high school or technology center.
3 units	Social Studies:   1 unit United States History 1/2 to 1 unit United States Government 1/2 unit Oklahoma History and 1/2 to 1 which may include but are not limited to the following courses: World History, Geography, Economics, or Anthropology, or other social studies courses with content and/or rigor equal to or above United States History, United States Government, and Oklahoma History.
2 units	The Arts:      2 which may include, but not limited to, courses in Visual Arts and General Music
8	Electives
	Students must complete any additional course requirements or recommended elective courses as may be established local school board.  School districts shall strongly encourage students to complete two units or sets of competencies of foreign language as part of the core curriculum for high school graduation.

*Students are required to take at least 6 units of instruction in a seven period day or equivalent in block scheduling.

Certificate of Distinction

*Awarding the Certificate of Distinction is a local option.  It is not required for college entrance nor is it a graduation requirement.

To receive the Certificate of Distinction, the student must meet the course requirements set forth in the Standard Diploma.  During the process they must meet the following unit requirements:

4 units	Language Arts
4 units	Mathematics
4 units	Science
4 units	Social Studies
2 units	Arts, Humanities, or Technology
2 units	Foreign Language
2 units	Technology (recommended)

Students must graduate with a minimum GPA. of 3.25 and meet all college entrance requirements.

• Oklahoma Tuition Scholarship Program Requirements

To receive the OTS the student must meet entrance requirements for the post secondary institution he/she is planning to attend.  In addition, he/she must meet the following:  Top 15% of high school graduating class, 3.25 GPA., and 26 ACT score.  To qualify, the parent's income cannot exceed $70,000.

• College Entrance Requirements

Gaining entrance into Oklahoma State University and the University of Oklahoma is determined by ACT, SAT scores or grade point average and class rank.

College or University	ACT or SAT Requirement	H.S. GPA and class rank
Oklahoma State Univ.	22 ACT   1010 SAT	3.0 GPA & top 1/3 of class
University of Oklahoma	24 ACT   1090 SAT	3.0 GPA & top 30% of class
Regional Universities	20 ACT	2.7 GPA & top 50% of class
2 year colleges	19 ACT

• O.S.U. and O.U. have a requirement that you must score their minimum ACT score in all areas of the ACT test.  A composite meeting minimum requirements will allow you entrance.  However, a score below minimum in any area will require you to take a placement test in the area below the set minimum ACT score.  Failure to score at an appropriate level on the placement test will require the student to take "zero" level or remedial course work.  Students meeting GPA and class rank requirements, but not ACT requirements will follow the same placement testing procedures.  Failure to meet ACT or GPA and class rank minimums might result in the student not being accepted to that university.  Note:  Most students will have to take a placement test in one or more areas regardless of ACT score.  (OU admissions 405-325-1083)  (OSU admissions 405-744-6861)

• Regional Universities have similar systems for students meeting initial entrance: However the ACT minimum scores are lower and a student can have a 2.7 GPA or top 50% rank in their H.S. graduating class as compared to a 3.0 and top 30% rank for OSU and OU.

• Two-year colleges allow for more flexibility in the entrance requirements.  Any student can enroll at two-year college.  If a student scores below the minimum (19) on the ACT, they will follow placement testing procedures.  Regardless of the students ACT or placement test scores, they will be allowed to enroll in courses at the school.  The selected courses will be a direct result of the placement tests.

• Listed below are the recommended college entrance course requirements for various Oklahoma colleges and universities as set by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.

Units	Course Areas
4	English - ACT recommended curriculum
2	Lab Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics or lab science certified by the school district.  Applied Biology/Chemistry or Principles of Technology will also count if the student later successfully completes a traditional lab science.  General Science will not meet this requirement)
3	Mathematics Algebra I or higher.
2	History (Must include one unit of American History)
1	Citizenship Skills (Includes economics, geography, government, non-Western culture)
3	Additional units (Select from above subjects or computer science or foreign language)
15	Total Required Units

• Student athletes anticipating a scholarship must qualify through the NCAA Clearinghouse.  All student athletes should complete the ACT 15 unit Core.  Courses, other than those listed in the ACT core, can be approved by the NCAA Clearinghouse on a case by case basis.  The local school must complete the course approval application and receive approval from the NCAA Clearinghouse before the course will count.

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High School students interested in enrolling in Agricultural Education courses do not have to worry about choosing between Ag, college or the Certificate of Distinction  Below are 5 sample plans of study that will allow students to accomplish all three.

SAMPLE
STUDENT 4 YEAR PLANS
Animal Science Major

SAMPLE
STUDENT 4 YEAR PLANS
Ag Power & Technology Major

SAMPLE
STUDENT 4 YEAR PLANS
Plant Science/Horticulture Major

SAMPLE
STUDENT 4 YEAR PLANS
Natural Resources Major

SAMPLE
STUDENT 4 YEAR PLANS
Ag Communications Major

• The above plans are only examples of how students can take Agricultural Education courses each year and meet their goals for a certificate of distinction and scholarship requirements.  The above plans are not to be used as a standard, only examples that can be re-arranged to meet local school and student needs.

Current List of Agricultural Education Courses

Ag Ed Home Page

Page updated 06/27/2006
WebTech :dmurr@okcareertech.org