Masters Theses

Date of Award

3-1969

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Major

Agricultural and Extension Education

Major Professor

George W. Wiegers Jr

Committee Members

D. H. Stollar, David Craig

Abstract

In an effort to improve the programs of vocational agriculture, questionnaires regarding certain aspects of the present and future programs were mailed to every school administrator in East Tennessee who had a vocational agriculture program in the school system. Eighty two per cent of the 108 administrators furnished data which is presented in the epitome. The administrators strongly agreed that the results of the training in vocational agriculture contributed to the growth of the national economy and it is a valuable part of the secondary school program. The program should serve all students, regardless of their sex, who are interested in pursuing an occupation or gaining a general knowledge of agriculture. A new name "Agricultural Education," should replace the present name "Vocational Agriculture." The use of a statewide core curriculum which should be adapted to meet the local needs by the agriculture teacher, school administrators, and the agriculture advisory council was supported; and college of agriculture education professors should be invited to serve as consultants. The program and facility needs should be presented to the governing bodies for consideration. Provisions should be made to maintain or extend the use of multiple teacher departments, land laboratories and field demonstrations, practical experience for the students, integrating basic science principles with agriculture science, and supervision for all students enrolled in agriculture. Units which consist of jobs should be taught during the appropriate season. The one period schedule per day for each student was considered most valuable to allow overall educational growth. Class time spent in agricultural mechanics should depend on the selected objectives. The first two years of agriculture should be general in nature and include plant science, animal science, soil science, and agricultural mechanics. The third and fourth year of agriculture should be more specialized and specific titles, indicative of course content should be used. In general, agriculture teachers were considered to be doing a good job conveying to the public the objectives of the program and the program accomplishments. Strong agreement was expressed that the FFA organization provides experiences in the development of desirable leadership, civic interest and social abilities; and the organization should maintain the present name. In general, the FFA was not considered over emphasized in relation to the instructional program. Adult education in agriculture should be conducted by the vocational agriculture teacher and he should receive supplementary pay that is complementary to his experience and education. The suggestion to consider adult classes as factors in calculating teacher load was rejected. Professional growth through graduate study was supported unanimously followed closely by agriculture in service education, attending workshops and reading professional literature.

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