ERIC Number: ED210555
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 1981
Pages: 11
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Relevance and Access: A Comprehensive Evaluation of a Statewide System of Vocational Agriculture.
Mannebach, Alfred J.
A study of the regional vocational agriculture centers in Connecticut was conducted to determine the following: (1) the need for vocational agriculture (vo-ag) in the state; (2) criteria to be used as guidelines in the future development of vocational agriculture programs; and (3) alternatives for the further development of vocational agriculture in the state. Research factors were identified as relevance factors (community and vo-ag program enrollments, current and potential agricultural and related employment, and graduate placement) or access factors--(program awareness, transportation, and instructional environment). Data were gathered from vo-ag students, instructors, superintendents, and employers through document research, development and implementation of survey instruments, interviews, and researchers' observations. Findings included the following: (1) enrollment--increasing for five years because of greater participation by female students; (2) placement and employment--more than one-third of the vo-ag graduates were furthering their education, while more than half had found employment in agriculture-related fields; employment needs greater than supply were projected for nonfarm agricultural occupations, but fewer farm jobs were forecast; (3) program awareness--public relations techniques were used, but minority recruiting was not perceptible; (4) transportation and tuition did not appear to be problems; and (5) instructional environment--facilities and pupil-teacher ratios were generally perceived as good. Through the data gathered, criteria and strategies for maintenance, expansion, and relocation of programs and development of new programs were prepared. (KC)
Descriptors: Agricultural Education, Agricultural Occupations, Educational Needs, Educational Planning, Employment Projections, Enrollment, Facilities, Females, Graduate Surveys, Guidelines, Males, Minority Groups, Outcomes of Education, Program Development, Program Effectiveness, Program Evaluation, Regional Schools, Secondary Education, Statewide Planning, Student Recruitment, Vocational Education
Publication Type: Reports - Evaluative; Reports - Research; Speeches/Meeting Papers
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Connecticut
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A