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…

Secondary and middle school agriculture teachers in New Mexico (n=90) considered volunteers essential program components. Volunteers served as chaperones, guest speakers, event coaches, and in student organizations. The 13% who did not use them were either new, had small programs, or found it time consuming. Benefits included exposing students to…

Using data from 187 New Mexico 4-H program volunteers, economic value of volunteer time was determined by calculating the average number of hours spent in 1 year and multiplying the number by the average hourly wage for nonagricultural workers. The data on volunteer activities and their value can be used for program planning, recruitment, and…

Of the 14 organizational values ranked by a majority of 146 New Mexico Cooperative Extension educators as extremely valued, 9 were extremely evident in organizational policies and procedures. A values audit such as this forms an important initial step in strategic planning. (SK)

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)

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…

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…