ERIC ED369918: An Examination of Middle School Enrollment in Agricultural Education and Membership in the National FFA Organization in the United States. Summary of Research 73.

9 Pages·1994·0.37 MB·English

by  ERIC

DOCUMENT RESUME
CE 066 331
ED 369 918
Rossetti, Rosemarie; And Others
AUTHOR
An Examination of Middle School Enrollment in
TITLE
Agricultural Education and Membership in the National
FFA Organization in the United States. Summary of
Research 73.
Ohio State Univ., Columbus. Dept. of Agricultural
INSTITUTION
Education.
94
PUB DATE
NOTE
9p.
Information Analyses (070)
PUB TYPE
MF01/PC01 Plus Postage.
EDRS PRICE
*Agricultural Education; Educational Research;
DESCRIPTORS
*Enrollment; *Enrollment Influences; Intermediate
Grades; Junior High Schools; *Middle Schools; Student
Attitudes; *Student Organizations; *Student
Participation; Teacher Attitudes
*Future Farmers of America
IDENTIFIERS
ABSTRACT
The status of middle and junior high school
agricultural education and Future Farmers of America (FFA) programs
in the United States was the focus of a study. Data were collected
through a census of the FFA executive secretaries and a survey of a
purposive sample of 27 successful middle or junior high school
agricultural education programs in 9 states. Questionnaires were
returned by 52 of 53 FFA executive secretaries, 23 of 27 teachers,
and 598 students. Findings showed that executive secretaries,
teachers, and students saw many benefits and outcomes from these
students
programs. Many said that these programs serve to recruit
into high school programs. Few disadvantages were cited. There was no
conclusion about the core curricula for these programs and what, if
raised concerns
any, FFA competitions should be held. The respondents
regarding.who should pay for these programs and how the FFA chapter
should be organized and chartered. Students looked forward to having
hands-on activities, having fun, learning about agriculture,_and
having a teacher who was kind and concerried. Students who selected
the program as an elective course generally seemed pleased and were
education. The
very likely to enroll in high school agricultural
population served by these programs was composed primarily of white
(YLB)
males who lived in rural areas. (Contains 10 references.)
Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made
*
from the original document.
***********************************************************************
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INFORMATION
Department of Agricultural Education
The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210-1067
AN EXAMINATION OF MIDDLE SCHOOL ENROLLMENT IN
AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION AND MEMBERSHIP IN THE NATIONAL FFA
ORGANIZATION IN l'HE UNITED STATES
Rosemarie Rossetti, David Padilla, and N.L. McCaslin
Much of the literature regarding middle school
A constitutional amendment was passed at the
agricultural education programs is contradictory
1988 National FFA Convention that officially al-
regarding recruitment. Herren and Denham (1990)
lowed middle school aged youth membership into
believed that a properly conducted middle school
the National FFA Organization. Many states had
program can be an asset to the secondary program
previously been serving these youth through agri-
in the area of recruitment. However, Doese and
In 1985,
cultural education and FFA programs.
Miller (1988) concluded that vocational agriculture
over 22% of all secondary agriculture instructors
enrollments would be suffering in the 1988-89
taught one or more junior high or middle school
school year as well as later. They also concluded
courses in agriculture (Phipps & Osborne, 1988).
that the majrity of the eighth grade students were
not planning on enrolling in vocational agriculture
Enrollment in agricultural education pro-
However, some students
their freshman year.
grams and membership in the National FFA
planned on enrolling some other time during their
Organization peaked in the 1976-77 school year
high school career.
with 697,499 students enrolled in secondary pro-
grams and 509,735 students as members in the FFA
Luft (1990) pointed out that agricultural
(National Research Council, 1988). From 1977 to
education programs at the junior high level may
1991, membership in the FFA experienced a
spark an interest in some students that had not
During this 14 year period
continual decline.
previously given any thought to studying or pursu-
membership dropped 25% (FFA, 1990-91). Mem-
Junior high school
ing a career in agriculture.
bership started to increase beginning in 1991-92.
agricultural education instruction, which focuses
At this time there were 401,574 members, and in
on agricultural subjects, serves as a means
of
1992-93 there were 417,462 members (B. Slack,
recruiting students for the secondary program. In
personal communication, October 15, 1993).
addition, Hedrich (1985) believed that the first step
to exposing more students to the agricultural
With an interest in increasing enrollment in
education area is to teach an exploratory course for
secondary agricultural education programs and
seventh and eighth grade students.
membership in the National FFA Organization,
many agricultural educators turned their attention
Deeds, McGrew and James (1990) indicated
to exploratory agricultural education programs in
that, throughout the history of agricultural educa-.
the middle grades (grades 6, 7 & 8).
These
tion, the FFA has been touted as the best recruit-
educators assumed that if enrollment in the middle
ment tool available for encouraging students to
grades increased, enrollment in the secondary
enroll in the program. They pointed out that the
programs would also increase. It was also assumed
Junior FFA can provide the same function in the
that increased enrollment in agricultural education
presecondary program while also providing students
programs would increase membership in the Na-
with personal growth and success experiences.
tional FFA Organization.
2
2
agriculture educators would be in an improved
Agricultural educators have agreed that the
benefit of middle school agricultural education
position for planning, operating and evaluating
programs is recruitment for the secondary pro-
middle school programs At the present time, these
In addition, other benefits were cited.
data and information are not available.
grams
Agricultural education at the middle school can
help increase the number of individuals in our Purpose and Objectives
society that may be more agriculturally literate
(Luft, 1990). Moreover, Herren and Denham (1990)
This study examined the status of middle and
indicated that, middle school agricultural education
junior high school agricultural education and FFA
programs increase both the agricultural literacy
programs in the United States.
The specific
level of the students and the agricultural awareness
objectives were as follows:
of the community.
To establish national baseline information re-
1.
Hedrich (1985) indicated that an exciting
garding middle and junior high school enroll-
aspect of seventh and eighth grade agricultural
ment in agricultural education and member-
education programs is that students can start their
ship in the National FFA Organization.
Supervised Occupational Experience Program
To identify features and components of selected
2.
(SOEP) earlier. This gives students additional time
successful middle and junior high school agri-
with their SOEP and they can be recognized for
cultural education programs.
FFA membership at the national level.
To identify factors influencing students' deci-
3.
sions to enroll in selected middle and junior
Agricultural education programs in the middle
high school agricultural education programs
grades are generally exploratory in nature. They
and become members in the National FFA
are designed to provide an overview of career
Organization.
opportunities in the broad areas of agriculture.
To determine why middle and junior high
4.
Many programs also serve to orient students to a
school students do not plan to enroll in selected
broad set of topics about agriculture. Orientation
agricultural education classes or become mem-
courses in agriculture serve as the basis for
bers of the FFA in high school.
selecting more specialized areas of agriculture for
To identify the perceived benefits and disadvan-
5.
further work and study at the upper grade levels
tages of middle and junior high school agricul-
Herren and Denham
(Phipps & Osborne, 1988).
tural education programs
(1990) indicated that Georgia middle school pro-
grams are designed as an introduction rather than
Methodology
an in-depth study of the agricultural discipline.
This study was developed as descriptive sur-
Waidelich (1990) said that if middle school
vey research. This section reports information on
agricultural education programs are to be produc-
the population, instrumentation, validity, reliabil-
tive, curriculum designers and instructors need to
ity, and data analysis.
understand a new educational concept that incor-
porates agricultural literacy programs, courses for
Population and Sample
a semester or less, interdisciplinAry approaches,
and personal development. Course content should
not be production agriculture oriented, rather
This study included a census of the FFA
activities such as vegetable and house plant propa-
executive secretaries in the United States; includ-
gation, care and identification; companion animal
ing one from each state, the District of Columbia,
care; and agribusiness career shadowing must be
Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Data from a
emphasized.
purposive sample of 27 successful middle or junior
high school agricultural education programs in nine
Statement of the Problem
states were also collected. The nine states were
selected by a panel of experts representing the
national FFA organization, teacher education and
If agricultural education programs for middle
These states were se-
state FFA organizations.
school students are to be developed and improved,
lected based upon their enrollments in middle or
Information
additional information is required.
junior high school agricultural education programs
needed includes: data on enrollment, curriculum
and included: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisi-
content, factors influencing students' enrollment
Virginia
ana, Mississippi, New York, Oklahoma,
decisions, and strengths and weaknesses of the
and Wisconsin. The FFA executive secretaries in
Based on this information,
existing programs.
:3
Reliability
the nine selected states were asked to identify three
successful middle or junior high school agricultural
education programs in their states that had stable
Two Ohio eighth-grade agricultural education
or increasing FFA membership.
classes were used to determine the reliability of the
students' questionnaire.
Test-retest procedures
Instrumentation
were used to determine coefficients of stability.
There was a two-week interval between the test and
The questionnaires used for this study were
retest. The coefficient of stability for the student
questionnaire was .84.
designed by the researchers. A review of related
literature and interviews with selected teacher
Data Analysis
educators, state FFA executive secretaries and
leaders from the National FFA Organization, and
a graduate student (former middle school agricul-
All completed questionnaires were coded by
ture teacher) preceded the design of the instru-
the researchers. Data were entered into a personal
ments.
computer and analyzed using the Statistical Pack-
age for the Social Sciences. Descriptive statistics
The FFA executive secretary questionnaire
were used for the teachers' and students' data.
was designed to describe the national baseline
Data from open-ended responses were summarized
enrollment figures, the nature of agricultural
and categorized by the researchers searching for a
education programs in the middle and junior high
Frequencies and
common pattern of responses.
schools, anci opinions of the secretaries regarding
percentages were calculated for the responses and
the benefits of such programs.
responses were listed in rank order.
The teacher questionnaire sought to describe
Findings
enrollment figures, topics taught, course outlines,
organization of FFA chapter, FFA dues, recommen-
The following section presents the results of
dations, recruitment advice, program benefits and
this study. The results are presented for the FFA
elements of successful middle or junior high school
executive secretaries, students and teachers.
agricultural education programs
Prom FFA Executive Secretaries
The student questionnaire gathered demo-
graphic information such as grade level, gender,
Fifty-two of fifty-three questionnaires were
Information on the
race, and place of residence.
returned. Thirty states reported having middle or
students' opinions regarding their reasons for
junior high school agricultural education programs.
enrollment and evaluation of their programs and
Nineteen states reported having FFA members at
teachers was also collected.
these levels. Table 1 shows the total enrollment and
membership in the sixth, seventh, and eighth
All questionnaires were collected through mail
grades.
Non-respondents were con-
survey techniques.
tacted through a second mailing in order to collect
The earliest reported sixth grade program was
their data.
Follow-up phone calls encouraged
in Mississippi in 1974. Vermont reported that it
teachers to return the questionnaires.
started the first seventh grade program in 1930.
Virginia reported that eighth grade programs
Validity
Sixth graders were first
began there in 1926.
admitted to membership in the FFA as early as 1974
The face and content validity of the three
in Mississippi. The first state to accept seventh
questionnaires was established by a panel of
graders into the FFA was Louisiana in 1960.
teacher educators and a graduate student. Com-
ments from the panels were reviewed and revisions
Fourteen FFA executive secretaries indicated
in the instruments were made.
that their state had core curricula for the middle
and junior high school agricultural education
The FFA executive secretary questionnaire
programs. Eighteen secretaries said they had no
was then pilot tested with the FFA executive
core curricula. Twenty secretaries did not address
secretary in Ohio. The teacher questionnaire was
this question because they did not offer middle
pilot tested with two Ohio eighth grade agriculture
school programs in agricultural education. Table 2
teachers, while the student questionnaire was pilot
lists the topics included in core curricula in rank order.
tested in these teachers' classes.
4
4
Table 1
ENROLLMENT IN PROGRAMS
Grade
Students
Students in
Ave. Program
Schools with
Schools with
in FFA
Level
Ag. Ed. Length
FFA
Ag. Ed.
6th
9 wks.
924
124
15
21
7th
378
20 wks.
4,730
514
22,056
8th
12,868
21 wks.
853
1,012
29,988
Total
17 wks. 17,722
1,547 52,968
1,246
Table 2
TOPICS IN CORE CURRICULUM
Topics
9
Plant Science
8
Career Exploration
Agricultural Literacy
7
7
Animal Science
Conservation
7
Mathematics
6
Agricultural Mechanics
6
Soil Science
6
Public Speaking
6
Human Relations
6
Ecology
6
Leadership
6
Writing
6
Social Skills
Supervised Agricultural Experience
5
4
Employability Skills
4
FFA Meeting Procedures
4
Parliamentary Procedures
4
Using Microcomputers
4
Agricultural Marketing
History of FFA
3
Role of FFA
3
International Agriculture
3
Table 3
ENROILMENT IN PROGRAMS
FFA Enrollment
Average Length of Program
No. of Students
Grade
51
15 wks.
6th
572
494
20 wks.
7th
1,577
414
27 wks.
8th
823
959
21 wks.
Total
2,972
5
Seventeen state FFA executive secretaries
The most frequently selected response to the
question, 'What are the disadvantages to states
(37%) indicated that they provided state level
who enroll middle or junior high school students in
competition for middle and junior high school FFA
agricultural education programs.'" was "There are
members. Fifteen secretaries (29%) indicated they
no disadvantages." A few secretaries cited student
do not provide state level competition. For those
burn out as a potential disadvantage.
that did hold state level competition, 14 held it in
conjunction with the high school FFA events. Six
Secretaries reported that the major benefit to
states indicated that competition was separate from
the state for having middle and junior high level
high school FFA events. Four states indicated that
agricultural education programs was increased
competition included the sixth grade, while 14
enrollment. They also indicated that the population
states said the competition included the seventh
was becoming better educated as a result. Gener-
grade, and 17 states said the competition included
ally, they reported no disadvantages.
the eighth grade. The top five state competitions
included: creed, livestock judging, public speaking,
Twenty-five secretaries indicated that middle
crops, and all contests.
or junior high school membership in the FFA helped
to increase membership in the high school FFA.
Regarding the state FFA executive secretaries'
Three secretaries disagreed.
suggestions about national competition for middle
and junior high school FFA members, 14 secretaries
From the Teachers
believed there should not be national competition.
Seven secretaries encouraged national competition.
Twenty-three (85%) of the 27 teacher question-
Twelve state FFA executive secretaries indi-
naires were completed and returned. Table 3 shows
cated the middle or junior high school FFA chapter
the total enrollment and membership, and program
were organized separately from the high school
length in the sixth,, seventh and eighth grades for
chapters. Twenty-four indicated the chapters were
these programs
joint chapters with the high school FFA.
Fourteen (61%) of the teachers indicated that
Twenty-seven states require FFA dues for
the middle or junior high school FFA chapter was
middle or junior high school FFA members. The
organized separately from the high school. Seven
average dues payment was $3.98.
(30%) teachers said the chapter was a joint chapter
with the high school FFA.
Seven state secretaries indicated they used
federal funds to finance agricultural education
Eighteen of the teachers indicated that FFA
programs in middle and junior high schools.
dues were required for the students. Nine of these
Fourteen indicated they used state funds and 31
teachers charged local dues ranging from fifty cents
indicated they used local funds.
to seven dollars. The average local dues charged
was $2.56. Twelve teachers charged students state
The secretaries pointed to the agricultural
dues. The range was from $1.00 - $7.00 with an
education instructor as the major encourager of
average of $4.04. One teacher charged $3.50 for
The total dues charged to FFA
middle or junior high school enrollment. Others
national dues.
members ranged from $2.50 - $10.00 with the
commented that the FFA actiyities and competi-
tions also encouraged students to enroll.
average being $6.40.
Twenty-one teachers indicated they had core
Twenty secretaries cited the school systems
curricula for the middle and junior high school
and policies as the major barriers to enrollment.
The most fre-
agricultural education programs
Eiamples include& no state/federal funds, lack of
quently taught topics reported in rank order are:
staff to expand programs, lack of available pro-
animal science, history of FFA, leadership, plant
grams, and teacher shortages.
science, parliamentary procedures, role of FFA and
career exploration.
The major student benefit of middle and junior
high school agricultural education programs, ac-
Twenty teachers reported they provided local
cording to the secretaries, is improved agricultural
competition for middle or junior high school FFA
literacy. Other secretaries indicated that another
members. Fourteen of these teachers reported that
benefit was increased enrollment at the high school
competition was held in conjunction with the high
level.
6
6
school FFA events. Fourteen teachers reported that
successful teacher needed to be patient, enthusias-
competition was between schools at a county, area
tic, flexible, innovative, enjoy students and love the
or district level.
Nine teachers indicated that
FFA.
competition was held between schools at the state
level. The specific local level competitions held are
When describing the critical components of a
listed in rank order:
public speaking, livestock
successful middle or junior high school FFA pro-
judging, soils, creed speaking, parliamentary pro-
gram, teachers again cited themselves. They stated
cedures and dairy judging. Four teachers reported
that the teacher needed to be enthusiastic, creative,
involved, aware and be a strong promoter of the
there should not be national competition for this age
student, however, four different teachers encour-
Successful FFA programs have a host of
FFA.
aged national competition.
supporters including:
school administrators, par-
ents, high school FFA chapter, FFA alumni, advi-
Eleven teachers identified the FFA activities
sory council and community members.
as the major encourager of middle or junior high
Nineteen teachers believed that middle or
school enrollment. FFA contests and the BOAC
program were cited as example activities.
junior high school membership in the FFA helped
to increase membership in the high school FFA.
The major barrier to student enrollment, cited Two teachers, however, disagreed.
by the teachers, was that most potential students
From the Students
think the programs are all about farming
Five
teachers cited scheduling as a barrier to recruit-
ment. The school system and policies were cited by
Student data were collected from 598 students
five teachers.
at 23 middle and junior high schools from the nine
There were nine (1.5%) sixth
selected states.
The major benefits and outcomes of middle or
graders, 253 (42.3%) seventh graders, 266 (44.5%)
junior high school agricultural education programs,
eighth graders and 68 (11.4%) ninth graders.
as indicated by nine teachers, was student aware-
Thirty-three percent of the sample were female,
ness about agriculture. Another benefit, cited by
while 67% were male. Eighty-three percent of the
eight teachers, was the chance for students to
sample were white (Caucasian), 13% were Black,
develop themselves. Participation in FFA activities
2% were Native American, 1% were Hispanic, and
was another benefit.
1% were Asian. Seventy-seven percent lived in the
country or in small towns, but not on farms, 16.7%
Teachers generally stated there were no disad-
lived on farms and 6.2% lived in large cities.
vantages to students who enroll in their middle or
junior high school agricultural education programs.
Fifty-three percent said they planned to enroll
Two teachers cited burn out as a disadvantage and
in agriculture classes in high school, while 30%
two teachers cited the lack of having supervised
were undecided and 17% said they would not enroll.
occupational experience programs.
The top reason cited for not enrolling was that they
For those
were not interested in agriculture.
Teachers identified the major benefit and
planning to enroll in high school, 84% also planned
outcome of their middle and junior high school
to be a member of the FFA. Thirteen percent were
agricultural education programs was the increase
undecided, while 3% said they did not plan to be
in public relations and publicity received. Other
members of the FFA, mostly due to a lack of
teachers saw retention and recruitment of students
interest.
as advantages.
Students reported that the agriculture teacher
was the most influential person when they made
Eleven teachers reported there were no disad-
the decision to enroll in agricultural classes.
vantages to schools who enroll middle or junior high
Students' parents also encouraged them to enroll.
school students in agricultural education programs
The students reported their friends were the ones
Those who cited disadvantages, cited burn out and
most likely to discourage them from enrolling,
scheduling problems.
however, only 5.8% indicated they were discour-
aged by friends. Fifty-six percent of the students
To better understand the secrets of the teach-
indicated that the middle or junior high school
ers' success, the teachers identified critical compo-
Seven teachers listed the parents as
agriculture class in which they were enrolled was
nents.
not required, while 44% indicated that it was
important to the success of their programs They
also gave credit to themselves, saying that a
required.
7
7
For those students who indicated that the class
Teacher over-works students. (11.(Y0/o)
3.
was not required, they revealed their reasons for
Punishment tactics. (3.1%)
4.
enrolling. There were a total of 309 reasons given.
I don't know. (2.4%)
5.
The top eight categories, and percent of students
indicating the reason, were:
Seventy-one percent of the students indicated
they were members of the FFA, while 29% said they
It is a fun class. (14.2%)
1.
were not. Students who were members cited 401
2. You learn about agriculture. (13.6%)
things they liked best about being a member. The
3. You learn about
1g (8.4%)
Anima
top five categories, and percent of students respond-
I like to work with my hands. (7.1%)
4.
ing, were:
I didn't want to be in other courses. (7.1%)
5.
I am interested in the FFA. (6.1%)
6.
Trips. (16.2%)
1.
I didn't enroll, I was placed. (5.1%)
7.
Meeting people. (13.4%)
2.
I am interested in it. (5.1%)
8.
Having fun. (13.4%)
3.
Activities. (13.4%)
4.
Students also shared what they liked best
Contests. (7.5%)
5.
There were 585
about their agriculture classes.
comments. The top eight categories and percent of
On the other hand, there were 278 responses
,
students responding follows.
to what these FFA members liked least about being
a member. The top five categories, and percent of
I like to work with my hands. (31%)
1.
students responding, were:
It is ftm. (9.2%)
2.
Planting plants. (7.3%)
3.
Nothing. (51.0%)
1.
Learning about animals (6.6%)
4.
The work. (9.3%)
2.
Learning about different things. (6.5%)
5.
I don't know. (6.1%)
3.
Working outdoors. (5.3%)
6.
Lack of things to do. (6.1%)
4.
The teacher and teaching. (5.0%)
7.
Have to do things related with the organization.
5.
It is easy. (4.8%)
8.
(5.7%)
Regarding the things the students liked best
Implications and
about their agriculture teachers, there were 445
Recommendations
responses. The top five categories, and percent of
students responding, were:
The data collected from successful middle and
The teacher is nice. (28.1%)
1.
junior high school programs in the United States
The teacher is funny (18.2%)
2.
offer insight into how these programs operate. The
The teacher helps students. (8.4%)
3.
FFA executive secretaries, teachers and students
The teaching method used. (8.3%)
4.
saw many benefits and outcomes from these
The teacher is good. (5.0%)
5.
programs Many indicated these programs serve to
recruit students into high school programs. Few
Students shared what they liked least about
disadvantages were cited. There was no conclusion
There were 498 com-
their agriculture classes.
about the core curricula for these programs and
The top five categories, and percent of
ments.
what, if any, FFA competitions should be held. The
students responding, were:
respondents raised a concern regarding who should
pay for these programs Another concern raised by
Nothing. (18.6%)
1.
the respondents was how should the FFA chapter
The classroom work. (14.6%)
2.
be organized and chartered.
The kind of work. (11.4%)
3.
The class is boring. (12.7%)
4.
When one looks at the length of the programs,
Taking notes. (10.4%)
5.
there is diversity ranging from 4 to 36 weeks in
length. There is a need to explore what program
Regarding what the students liked least about
length is optimal
their agriculture teachers, there were 414 re-
sponses. The top five categories, and percent of
Middle and junior high school students look
students responding, were:
forward to having hands on activities, having fun,
learning about agriculture and having a teacher
Nothing. (42.2%)
1.
who is kind and concerned. Students who selected
Teacher personality. (30.0%)
2.
References
the program as an elective course generally seemed
pleased and were very likely to enroll in high school
This summary is based upon:
agricultural education.
Deeds, J.P., McGrew, B., & James, L. (1990, July).
Junior FFA for pre-secondary students.
The
The population served by these prograTnR was
Agriculture Education Magazine. 63;1),22-23.
comprised primarily of white males who lived in
Doese, E.K., & Miller, W. W. (1988). Factors affecting
rural areas.
If enrollment is to increase, it seems
the future enrollment of students in vocational
logical to broaden the population and the area
agriculture. Cedar Falls, IA: Future Farmers of
served by these programs.
America. (ERIC Document Reproduction Service
No. ED 300 559)
Based on the findings, a series of recommen-
Hedrich, C. (1985, October). Vocational agriculture
dations were developed. The following recommen-
for 7th and 8th graders.
The Agricultural
dations were offered.
Education Magazine. 58(4),20-21.
Herren, RN., & Denham, A.
(1990, September).
Since the FFA is an intracurricular activity,
1.
Agricultural education at the middle school. The
The National FFA Organization, the U.S.
Agricultural Education Magazine. 63(3),15.
Department of Education, and the U.S. Depart-
Luft, V.D. (1990, July). Junior high agriculture: a
ment of Agriculture should encourage develop-
means of expanding our instruction. The Agricul-
ment of a middle and/or junior high school
tural Education Magazine. 63(1),18.
agricultural education core curricula that in-
National FFA Organization. (1990-91). Participation
cludes its mission, content, goals and objectives,
in selected FFA activities.
Alexandria, VA:
experiential learning strategies, articulation
Author.
with other agricultural education programs and
National Research Council. (1988). Understanding
funding options prior to expanding FFA pro-
agriculture. New directions for education. Wash-
grams to that level.
Promotional efforts to increase middle and
ington, DC: National Academy Press.
2.
junior high school membership in the FFA
Phipps, L.J., & Osborne, E.W. (1988). Handbook on
should give particular attention to attracting
agricultural education in public schools. (5th ed.).
Danville, IL: Interstate Publishers.
under represented groups such as minorities
It should also target specific
Rossetti, R., Padilla, D., & McCaslin, N.L. (1992).
and females.
A nationwide examination of middle school en-
promotions for students in urban and suburban
rollment in agricultural education and member-
areas.
Final
Agricultural educators should consider these
ship in the national FFA organization.
3.
Report. Columbus: The Ohio State University,
findings when working with boards of educa-
tion, administrators, and guidance counselors
Department of Agricultural Education.
in establishing policies (e.g., funding, schedul-
Waidelich, W. (1990, November/December). Middle
ing, staffing) that are conducive to middle and
schools dig into vocational education...if it's about
junior high school agricultural education and
real stuff. Vocational Education Journal. 65(7),
FFA programs.
40.
SUMMARY OF RESEARCH SERIES
Agricultural education programs in the middle grades are generally exploratory in nature. They
agriculture. Many programs
are designed to provide an overview of career opportunities in the broad areas of
also serve to orient students to a broad set of topics about agriculture. Agricultural education at the middle
school can help increase the number of individuals in our society that may be more apiculturally literate.
This study examined the status of middle and junior high school apicultural education and FFA programs
of
in the United States. It should be of interest to the National FFA Organization, the U.S. Department
Education, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, state supervisors, teacher educators, agriculture teachers,
schools.
and others who are responsible for designing curriculum and operating agricultural programs in our
David
This summary is based on research conducted. by Rosemarie Rossetti, Assistant Professor;
Agricultural
Padilla, Graduate Research Associate; and N. L. McCaslin, Associate Professor; Department of
Texas
Education, The Ohio State University. Special appreciation is due to Thomas L. Grady, Southwest
Ohio State
State University; Randol G. Waters, The University of Tennessee; and Larry E. Miller, The
University for their critical review of the manuscript prior to publication.
it was
Research has been an important function of the Department of Agricultural Education since
of graduate
established in 1917. Research conducted by the Department has generally been in the form
knowledge from
theses, staff studies, and funded research. It is the purpose of this series to make useful
such research available to practitioners in the profession. Individuals desiring additional information on
this topic should examine the references cited.
Wesley E. Budke, Ass.aciate Professor
Department of Agricultural Education
1994
SR 73
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