School-based agricultural education programs have the potential to prepare students for successful lives and enhance career skills related to agriculture. For students to achieve instructional goals, they must have relevant materials. The teacher's thoughts on how a subject should be taught influences their choice of curriculum resources, as well…

The primary purpose of this study was to determine the confidence levels of School-based Agricultural Education (SBAE) teachers to integrate biology concepts in plant and animal science courses. The researchers also sought to describe the demographic characteristics of New Mexico SBAE teachers. This study used a descriptive-correlational research…

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 Memorial Middle School Agricultural Extension and Education Center (MMSAEEC) located in Las Vegas, New Mexico is a youth science center focusing on agriculture and natural resources. The purpose of this quasi-experimental study of the MMSAEEC teaching and learning model was to determine if differences exist in science achievement, agriculture…

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…

Agricultural education majors at New Mexico State University (n=115) rated prior agricultural experiences as the most influential factor in their selection of a major. Department/college environment, professional role models, and job prospects were also influential. (SK)

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)

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…

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…