The purpose of the study was to determine if student teachers' perceptions of the student teacher/cooperating teacher relationship were predictive of their decisions to enter the teaching profession. The target population of this study consisted of preservice agricultural education students at Texas A&M University. The accessible sample…

If the agricultural education profession is going to grow and prosper in the 21st century, it will need an adequate supply of qualified teachers. In 2001, however, the number of qualified potential agricultural education teachers actually seeking employment as teachers fell far short of the net number of replacements needed. Two contributing…

Agriculture teachers and science teachers who taught in a high school with an agricultural education program were targeted for this study to determine and compare their perceptions of integrating science into agricultural education programs. The data indicate that while both groups have responded positively to the call to integrate science into…

One group of Illinois secondary agriculture students was taught using a problem-solving approach (PSA), the other with a subject-matter approach (SMA). A problem-solving posttest and Group Embedded Figures Test showed significantly higher problem-solving ability in the PSA group. Field independent learners in the PSA group significantly increased…

In a three-round Delphi study, agriscience faculty (n=75, 43, 41) refined and categorized competencies in 11 topic areas for a high school agricultural communications course. Appropriate topics and competencies for beginning and intermediate levels were identified. (Contains 12 references.) (SK)

Competencies for a safety certification program for youth in agricultural production were validated by an expert panel and a sample of secondary agriculture and youth. A set of 170 competencies in 12 units were developed into a CD-ROM curriculum. (Contains 16 references.) (SK)

In Iowa high schools using instructional materials on total quality management (TQM) livestock practices, 1,099 students (68%) responded to a survey; 732 in a one-year follow-up. Females rated their use of TQM practices higher; 10th and 11th graders had higher ratings than 12th graders. Difficulties in survey administration suggested that…

A group of 132 agricultural science students were divided into an experimental group who completed hands-on activities on Ohm's Law and incline plane and a control group who completed worksheets. There were no significant differences in immediate or follow-up measures of achievement. Hands-on students had significantly more positive attitudes. (SK)

Responses from 41 of 60 Iowa secondary agriculture teachers and 464 11th- and 12th-grade students indicated both teachers and students had high perceptions of sustainable agriculture and its impact on the environment. Both groups felt the need to learn more about it. (SK)

Of 883 Iowa high school seniors, 60% lived in towns, 40% on farms. Both groups had a high level of congruence between educational and occupational aspirations and perceived minimal barriers to goal achievement. Farm and town students had equally diverse aspirations. (Contains 23 references.) (SK)

High school agriculture teachers taught a unit using a problem-solving approach and one using a subject-matter approach. Data from an achievement test, attitude test, and teaching approach evaluation instrument showed higher achievement and better attitudes when the unit using problem solving was first and the subject-matter unit second. Problems…

Study determined relationship between scope of supervised agricultural experience (SAE) as measured by total income and Productive Man Work Units (PMWU) and level of achievement of students enrolled in vocational agriculture classes in Florida. Responses from 98 Applied Principles and 249 Fundamentals students found low SAE participation and…

Before the Smith-Hughes Act, Congressional district agricultural schools in Alabama, Georgia, and Virginia provided an early example of federal support for vocational agriculture. Although agricultural instruction was included, these schools were in reality comprehensive high schools that set precedents for subsequent agricultural curricula. (SK)

An instrument administered to 3,437 Iowa high school students measured their perceptions of personal development and leadership skills. Of the 10 scales, cooperation, citizenship, self-confidence, and personal development were rated highest; group drive, group productivity, and group achievement lowest. Officers in student organizations rated the…

A survey of 560 high school vocational agriculture teachers in Alabama, Florida, and Georgia (response rate 60 percent) found that as number of certifications in nonagricultural fields and the number of years of high school agriculture increased, perceived level of competence decreased. Teachers perceived low levels of competence in adult…