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Vocational Agricultural Education. AGED 3203. Vocational Agricultural Education. Vo-Ag enrollment peaked in the mid 70’s Less than 5% of high school students enrolls in Ag. Number of Vo-Ag programs is (was) declining. About 75% of Ag Ed students are members of the FFA.
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Vocational Agricultural Education AGED 3203
Vocational Agricultural Education • Vo-Ag enrollment peaked in the mid 70’s • Less than 5% of high school students enrolls in Ag. • Number of Vo-Ag programs is (was) declining. • About 75% of Ag Ed students are members of the FFA.
Vocational Agricultural Education • Why the changes in Vo-Ag enrollments?
Vocational Agricultural Education • Who enrolls in Vo-Ag? • White • Male • Rural • Why few minorities? • 85% of Black Farmers live in the South • Females accounted for 15% of membership in 1986.
Vocational Agricultural Education • Program in 1986 was much like it was in 1963. • What is your definition of Agriculture?
Vocational Agricultural Education • What makes for a high quality program? • Extensive contact between student and teacher • diversity of rewarding SOE (SAE) opportunities. • Attract a cross section of students - leaders and high achievers.
Vocational Agricultural Education • What about “poor” programs • Cost as much (per student) as do high quality programs. • Continue to be supported in the community. • System does not encourage innovation
Vocational Agricultural Education • How to Improve the Program • Each program should have a local advisory council • Upgrade the scientific content of Vo-Ag. • Courses should receive science “credit” • Vocational label should be avoided. • New curriculum in food science, marketing, international ag, and natural resources. • Cooperation with universities, extension, 4-H
Vocational Agricultural Education • SAE - All students should participate • SAEs should include time in: • research labs • banks • food retailing • elementary school • emphasis should be on the experience not only on an occupation
Vocational Agricultural Education • Better cooperation with Agribusiness • Special summer SAEs • travel • ag experiment stations • food processing factories • industrial labs
Vocational Agricultural Education • Emphasis should be on learning, with an appreciation for earning. • Public service SAEs should be encouraged • Profit should only occasionally be a principle factor in evaluating SAEs. • Schools should provide on-site lab facilities • Land, greenhouse,grounds, ag mech lab
Vocational Agricultural Education • 95% of all schools that offer vo-ag have FFA chapters. • Quality of FFA chapters varies as much as the quality of of vo-ag programs varies. • FFA needs to change its image. • Some Vo-Ag Teachers are unduly driven by a desire to help students excel in production oriented contests and award programs.
Vocational Agricultural Education • These teachers tend to place less empasis on ag instruction. • In some communities the the vo-ag program is refered to as the “FFA program” and the vo-ag teacher as the FFA Teacher. • In some programs a great deal of classtime is devoted to preparing students for contests and award programs.
Vocational Agricultural Education • Recommendations • FFA should change its name, symbols, rituals, and image. • FFA should revise the nature, focus, and award structure of its contests and awards. • FFA should encourage enrollment by students unwilling or unable to take 4 years of vo-ag.