More Than Sows, Cows and Plows:

School-based Agricultural Education Today

In the beginning

At the dawning 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

In the beginning...

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 were made available to states to support the teaching of agriculture, home economics and trades in the public schools

The 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 were to be followed in operating the vocational programs An independent Federal Board for

Vocational Education was established to develop policy and oversee the operation of vocational educationCongress did not trust the educational

bureaucrats (Bureau of Education, Department of Interior) to provide federal leadership for this new endeavor; that is why the Federal Board was created

Smith-Hughes Act...

Agriculture students were required to have a supervised farming project of at least six (6) months duration. This led to the federal ruling that

Smith-Hughes Men (agriculture teachers) were to be employed for 12 months so they could supervise these projects during the summer.

Memorandum of Understanding

After the passage of Smith-Hughes, a Memorandum of Understanding was enacted between the Federal Board and the USDA (in 1918) defining the roles of:agriculture teachersextension 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 vocational 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

School-based Agriculture Today

The agricultural education program is designed to develop technical, leadership, and management expertise needed by middle and high school students preparing for careers in agricultural occupations and to further education in an agriculturally-related field.

North Carolina DPI Statement

The Agriculture Curriculum

What is taught varies greatly from state to state and school to schoolSome states still have a

heavy emphasis on farming (production agriculture)

Many states have diversified their course offerings

The Agriculture Curriculum

Typical Courses Horticulture Forestry Agricultural Mechanics Agribusiness Animal Science Crop Production Agriscience Natural Resources

The Agriculture Curriculum

Many states have a smorgasbord of suggested courses Texas has 26 courses Specialized courses have been

developed equine science aquaculture

Local community needs determine which courses are actually offered at the local level

Curriculum

Some states have very active agricultural education curriculum development centers that produce excellent products for saleTexasOhioMissouriNew YorkOklahoma

The NC Agr. Educ. Curriculum

Exploring Biotechnology (Middle School)

Agriscience Applications (Introductory Course)

Animal Science I & II Horticulture I & IIHorticulture II – TurfgrassHorticulture II – Landscape

Construction

The NC Curriculum

Agricultural Production I & II Animal Science I & II Animal Science II – Small

AnimalEquine Science I & IIBiotechnology & Agriscience

Research I & II

The NC Curriculum

Agricultural Mechanics I & IIAgricultural Mechanics II –

Small Engines Environmental and Natural

Resources Studies I & IIAgricultural Leadership I & II

Local schools determine which courses they will offer.Local schools determine which courses they will offer.

VoCATS

VoCATS (Vocational Competency & Accountability Tracking System) is the accountability systemused in agriculturaleducation in North Carolina

VoCATS

For each agricultural coursethere is a:Curriculum Guide (with a

detailed listing of content, instructional objectives, & time recommendations. This is called the blueprint)

Test BanksPretest is given at the start of the

coursePosttest is given at the end of

the course

The NC Curriculum

In additional to classroom and laboratory instruction, agricultural students are expected to: Have a Supervised Agricultural

Experience (SAE) Program. This is a hands-on learning activity (experiential learning) carried on outside of the school day.

Belong to and be active in the FFA

SAE

Major categories of SAE in NC: Entrepreneurship - Student operates an

agricultural business, grows crops or raises livestock

Placement - Student works in an agricultural business for experience or pay

Experimental - Student plans and conducts a major scientific experiment

Analytical - Student studies an agricultural program and recommends a solution

FFA

FFA is the leadership laboratory for agricultural students

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 agricultural teachers in North Carolina 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 TreeEnvironmental education

lessons and activities sponsored by the American Forest Foundation

Agricultural Education Leadership

FederalPrior 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 (it was 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.

The National Council for Agricultural Education provides leadership, coordination and support for the continuous improvement of agricultural education.

The National Council for Agricultural Education provides leadership, coordination and support for the continuous improvement of agricultural education.

Reinventing Agr. Educ. For the Year 2020

Council Projects:

Local Program Success

Agri-Entrepreneurship Program

Aquaculture

Leadership in North Carolina

During the Smith-Hughes era, the NC Department of Public Instruction (DPI) had 10-12 agricultural education “supervisors”

After 1963 the number steadily declined until there were 3 in 1994

With the downsizing of DPI in 1995, this number was cut to one (1)

Leadership in North Carolina

Effective in 1996 five (5) state level “leadership” positions for school-based agricultural education were established by the General Assembly

The positions were located in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at NCSU

These individuals work with schools across the state.

Most states have Agricultural Education Supervisors in their State Dept. of Education

Leadership in North Carolina

The state coordinatorposition is at NCSU but is currently vacant.

The state coordinatorposition is at NCSU but is currently vacant.

Josh Bledsoe is the FFA coordinator and is at NCSU

Josh Bledsoe is the FFA coordinator and is at NCSU

Benjie Forrest isthe Eastern Coordinatorstationed at Plymouth

Benjie Forrest isthe Eastern Coordinatorstationed at Plymouth

David Harris isthe Western Coordinatorstationed atFletcher

David Harris isthe Western Coordinatorstationed atFletcher

Horace Johnson is the Central coordinator, stationedat NCSU

Horace Johnson is the Central coordinator, stationedat NCSU

Leadership in North Carolina

The state is divided into six regionsThe state is divided into six regions

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 Agric

ultural Sciences (Philadelphia)

Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences

Agriculture Teachers

The professional organization is the NAAE - National Association of Agricultural Educators (until recently the National Vocational Agriculture Teachers Association)

NC Agriculture Teachers

About 375 at the middle and high school this number is rising by 5-10 per

year, until recently there was a decline annually

About 3/4 have 12 month contracts

Starting salary around $30,000 Annual conference is held in late

July in Greensboro or Raleigh

Teacher Preparation

B.S. degree in Agricultural Education needed

North Carolina A&T and North Carolina State have teacher preparation programs

Due to the acute teacher shortage in agriculture, individuals with a B.S. degree in any area of agriculture can enter teaching through a “lateral-entry” program. They learn to teach while on the job.

Professional Journal

The Agricultural Education Magazinedesigned for

practitioners in the field

six issues per yearcost $10each 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 - increasing enrollments in agricultural education, schools adding additional teachers

Curriculum is becoming more scientific

Expanding into private schools and home schooling

Trying to distance the profession from the word “vocational”