The purpose of this study was to describe elementary teachers' attitudes and perceptions toward agriculture and its use as a context for teaching across the grade level content area standards. Further, this study sought to probe more deeply the stages of concern possessed by kindergarten through eighth grade teachers with respect to their use of…

The most frequent student recruitment strategies reported by 275 secondary agriculture teachers were (in order of effectiveness) feeder schools, personal contacts, FFA, publications, strong curriculum, support groups, and special events. Specific activities for each strategy were identified. (Contains 34 references.) (SK)

Analysis of 348 articles from the Journal of Agricultural Education 1990-1999 showed that 83.3% used quantitative, applied survey research. Only 29% cited appropriate theoretical frameworks, 87% cited conceptual frameworks. They often cited limited references in establishing a framework and failed to relate findings to frameworks. (Contains 25…

In a four-round Delphi study, 18 secondary agriculture teachers identified and rated student recruitment problems. Consensus was reached on these items: scheduling difficulties, finding time to recruit, student involvement in other activities, access to students, competition from other programs, lack of counselor support, increased graduation…

A four-round Delphi study of secondary agriculture teachers (17, 17, 22, and 21 responses) identified and rated student retention problems. Consensus was reached on these items: scheduling difficulties, lack of counselor support, image, increased graduation requirements, college entrance requirements, competition from other activities, block…

A study of two classes of agriculture freshmen (1997: n=245, 1998: 195) showed that the best predictor of performance for the 1997 cohort was high school grade point average (GPA) and ACT score; for the 1998 cohort, GPA alone. High school GPA was the only successful predictor of freshman GPA. Traditional admission criteria had limited predictive…

In a study of 442 freshmen in an agriculture college, participation in a learning community did not significantly influence achievement or retention for sophomore year. However, those involved in Future Farmers of America or 4-H had higher cumulative grade point averages and higher rates of retention than those not involved. (Contains 20…

Illinois secondary agriscience students (n=275) and 166 parents were surveyed; 90% of both rated science applications in agriculture courses excellent or good. Although students expressed positive attitudes toward agriculture careers, parents were reluctant to recommend them. (SK)

Iowa secondary principals (n=147) had favorable perceptions of agriculture programs, courses, and teachers. They believed agriculture reinforced other subject learning and thought the programs were important to the community. They felt any student could benefit from agricultural education. (SK)

Articles from 1987-1996 issues of Farm Journal, Progressive Farmer, Successful Farming, Time, Newsweek, and U.S. News and World Report were analyzed, revealing lack of depth in reporting environmental and food safety issues and few presentation differences between agricultural and news publications. However, news magazines' artwork often conveyed…

College freshmen (n=326) who preferred field-independent and field-neutral learning styles had higher grade point averages. High school grade point average and ACT scores were the best predictors of freshman academic performance. Learning style and ACT scores best predicted student retention. (SK)

College freshmen in agriculture (n=401) agreed that high school agriculture is good preparation for college; 97% who had high school agriculture courses planned on degrees in agriculture. Those who had high school agriculture experience had more positive attitudes of agricultural education and agricultural careers. High school agriculture teachers…

High school agriculture students were taught using either a problem-solving (n=60) or subject-matter (n=52) approach. There were no differences in short- or long-term retention using either method across different learning styles. A moderate correlation was found between field independence and higher normal curve equivalent scores. (SK)

Synthesis of research on safety in agricultural education laboratories found most research focused on agricultural mechanics. Labs appeared to be potentially hazardous places, and teachers have inadequate knowledge of safety laws and ways to provide a safe working environment. (SK)

A survey of 16 guidance counselors in schools serving as agricultural education student teaching sites showed they had positive attitudes about agriculture and agricultural sciences but believed agricultural education was too vocational. Those in schools with applied sciences in agriculture gave high ratings to the quality of agriculture programs.…