The researchers developed a youth weather and climate curriculum using a science comprehension model that integrates experiential and inquiry-based learning approaches with developing science knowledge, science skills, and reasoning abilities. The purpose of this study was to pilot the curriculum to determine if it would improve youth science…

The purpose of this study was to describe New Mexico secondary agricultural education teachers' perceptions of the importance and their level of competence on state special needs inclusion competencies and skills for teaching students with special needs. Additionally, this study sought to determine pre-service and in-service training needs for…

Responses from 98 secondary technology education/industrial arts teachers in New Mexico identified the following best predictors of adoption of technology education: teacher perceptions, change agents' and opinion leaders' influence, optional vs. authority decision making, teaching endorsements held, and years of teaching. Barriers included fear…

From 3 states, 256 usable responses from 400 Future Farmers of America (FFA) members showed that achievement expectancy was positively related to youth leadership life skills development. Females had higher leadership skills development. Leadership skills were not related to self-esteem, years in FFA, age, ethnicity, or place of residence. (SK)

Responses from 228 of 400 4-H participants in Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico revealed a 12.6% variance in scores, showing that participation in leadership activities positively affected youth leadership life skills development. Minority and female participants generally had higher scores. Skill development was also related to achievement…

A survey of 400 senior 4-H participants in Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico received 238 usable responses identifying the top three 4-H activities contributing to leadership development: holding office, teaching younger members, and fairs. Greatest involvement in leadership activities was in implementing and evaluating; few were involved in…

New Mexico agriculture teacher education graduates currently teaching secondary agriculture (n=25) rated their at-graduation competencies as satisfactory. Their biggest improvement since graduation was in keeping students on task. Enthusiasm for all facets of the education program remained high. Work experience had the most influence on growth of…

Responses from 48 of 70 secondary teacher advisors of Future Farmers of America (FFA) in New Mexico showed that 50% had been exposed to the Program of Activities (POA) as FFA members; state mandates influenced their use of POA; and all involved students in planning and implementing activities, but only 67% involved students in evaluating them. (SK)

Two studies were undertaken to determine the extent to which 1992-93 Future Farmers of America (FFA; n=266) and 4-H members (n=234) in Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico participated in leadership development activities. Over 100 FFA members participated in 12 leadership activities, and over 100 senior 4-H members participated in 10 leadership…

A study determined predictors of youth leadership life skills development among 400 1992-93 Future Farmers of America (FFA) members in Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico. The design of the study was descriptive-correlational-predictive. For the prediction portion, the dependent variable was youth leadership life skills development; the main…

A study described New Mexico Vocational Student Organization (VSO) advisors' educational exposure to, use of, and attitudes toward the Program of Activities (POA), a planning and management tool available to VSO advisors. The population for this descriptive survey study was defined as 296 secondary vocational-technical teachers in grades 9-12 who…