Agricultural Education Agricultural Education in the Public

Schools Today

Thanks to Gary Moore, NCSU

Social Context for AgEd At the dawn of the 20th Century,

the public was disenchanted with public education curriculum was still primarily classical no relevancy to an agrarian society no practical application lecture and rote memorization

were extensively used

More Context... USDA, agricultural societies, and others

demanded change in the educational system.

Many states started teaching agriculture (and other applied subjects) in the public schools.

There was a nation-wide movement to teach agriculture in the schools which culminated in the passage of the Smith-Hughes Act in 1917.

Smith-Hughes Act (1917) Federal funds made available to

states to support teaching of agriculture, home economics & trades in public schools.

Objective of vocational agriculture was to train those “...who have entered upon or who are preparing to enter upon the work of the farm…”

Smith-Hughes Act... Strict federal guidelines to be followed in

operating the programs. AgEd included with Industrial Ed.

An independent Federal Board for Vocational Education was established to develop policy and oversee the operation of vocational education.

Congress didn’t trust the educational bureaucrats (Bureau of Education, Department of Interior) to provide federal leadership for this new endeavor; thus, the Federal Board was created.

Smith-Hughes Act... Agriculture students required to

have a supervised farming project of at least six (6) months duration. Result: ruling that “Smith-Hughes

Men” (agriculture teachers) were to be employed for 12 months to supervise these projects during the summer.

Memorandum of Understanding After passage of Smith-Hughes, a

Memorandum of Understanding was enacted between the Federal Board and the USDA (in 1918) defining the roles of: agriculture teachers extension agents

Vocational Education Act of 1963 Smith-Hughes remained in place

until the passage of the Vocational Education Act of 1963 which: Broadened the scope of vocational

agriculture to include all areas of agriculture, not just farming

Dropped the requirement that students have “farming projects”

Reduced federal control greatly

Carl Perkins Act (1984, 1990, 1998) The current federal legislation related to

vocational education is the Carl Perkins Act.

Virtually no mention is made of specific programs such as agriculture. There are no provisions regarding agriculture in this legislation.

Legislation appears to be aimed at helping “special populations.”

School-based Agriculture Today

The mission of Agricultural Education is to prepare and support individuals for careers, build awareness and develop leadership for the food, fiber and natural resource systems.

National Mission Statement

The Agriculture Curriculum What is taught varies greatly from

state to state and school to school Some states still have a heavy

emphasis on farming (production agriculture)

Many states have diversified their course offerings

In many states “vocational” won’t sell, “agriscience” is accepted.

The Agriculture Curriculum Typical Courses - Nationally

Horticulture Forestry Agricultural Mechanics Agribusiness Animal Science Plant Science Agriscience Natural Resources

The Agriculture Curriculum Many states have a smorgasbord of

suggested courses Arkansas has 22 courses, Texas has 26. Specialized courses have been

developed aquaculture

Local community “needs” should determine which courses are offered at the local level

Curriculum Some states have very active

agricultural education curriculum development centers that produce excellent products for sale Texas Ohio Missouri New York Oklahoma

The AR Curriculum Agricultural Education Frameworks 5 “Strands,” Schools must choose 1: Based on ACT 980 (1991) 22 Approved courses

Agricultural Business Agricultural Mechanics Agricultural Sciences Horticulture Natural Resources

The AR Curriculum… Strand 1: Agricultural Business

4 core courses are required to be offered.

9 optional courses to teach. Strand 2: Agricultural Mechanics

2 core required courses. 9 optional courses.

The AR Curriculum… Strand 3: Agricultural Sciences Choose either “Animal Science”

emphasis or “Plant Science” emphasis 4 core courses in each 10 optional courses in each

The AR Curriculum… Strand 4: Horticulture

4 core courses 10 optional courses

Strand 5: Natural Resources 4 core courses 9 optional courses

Arkansas Frameworks For each agricultural course

there is a: detailed listing of content,

instructional objectives, & time recommendations.

Test Banks will be developed Pretest may be given at the start of the

course. Posttest given at the end of the course.

The AR Curriculum In additional to classroom and

laboratory instruction, agriculture students are expected to: Have a Supervised Agricultural

Experience (SAE) Program. A hands-on learning activity (experiential learning) carried on outside of class time.

Belong to and be active in the FFA

FFA FFA is the leadership laboratory for

agriculture students. Is a teaching tool for teachers. Historically and legislatively, FFA is

considered to be an integral (intracurricular) part of the curriculum.

FFA Mission Statement: FFA makes a

positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.

Adult Education At one time many agriculture teachers

in Arkansas conducted adult programs. Very little adult education in agriculture

is conducted in school-based programs today because of: Strong extension programs Community Colleges

There are viable school-based adult programs in agriculture in about 25 states

Other School Ag. Ed. Programs Ag in the Classroom

Agriculture is infused into the elementary curriculum

USDA has an individual who coordinates Ag in the Classroom

Farm Bureau is a very active supporter Program varies from state to state Typically high school teachers are

not involved

Other School Ag. Ed. Programs Project Learning Tree

Environmental education lessons and activities sponsored by the American Forest Foundation

Agricultural Education Leadership

Federal Prior to 1963 - 14 individuals were

employed in the US Office of Education with Ag. Ed. Responsibilities.

Today - 2 individuals in the US Department of Education have Agricultural Education responsibilities.

No real authority Public Law 740 (the federal FFA charter)

is the reason for their existence

National Leadership and USDA Prior to the Smith-Hughes Act the

USDA provided assistance to secondary agricultural education.

The Farm Bill of 1996 tried to move federal agricultural education leadership to USDA (partially successful). A $500,000 challenge grant program for

secondary agricultural education was established.

Agricultural Education Leadership

Because of the decline in Federal leadership, the profession created an independent National Council for Agricultural Education in the mid-1980s.

Reinventing Agr. Educ. For the Year 2020

Council Projects:

Local Program Success

Agri-Entrepreneurship Program

Aquaculture

Leadership in Arkansas 4 state-level “leadership”

positions. These individuals work with

schools across the state.

Agriculture Teachers About 12,000 teachers nationally The majority of the teachers teach in

single teacher departments The largest agriculture departments are

in: W. B. Saul High School of Agricultural Scienc

es (Philadelphia)

Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences

Agriculture Teachers NAAE - National Association of

Agricultural Educators (formerly: National Vocational Agriculture Teachers Association)

AR Agriculture Teachers About 260 at the middle & high school.

Nearly all have 12 month contracts. Some schools are challenging this. Why?

Starting salary: $28,000 - $38,000.

Annual conference is held in late July.

Teacher Preparation B.S. degree in Agricultural

Education needed. U of A, ASU, & SAU have teacher

prep. programs. Due to teacher shortages, State

considering certifying individuals with a B.S. degree in any area of agriculture.

Professional Journal The Agricultural

Education Magazine designed for

practitioners in the field

six issues per year cost $10 each issue addresses

a theme

Professional Journal The Journal of

Agricultural Education is a research based publication for university agricultural educators.

Trends and Issues Block Scheduling Curriculum is becoming more

scientific Private schools and home schooling Trying to distance the profession

from the word “vocational” Accountability