Identification and Analysis of Georgia Exemplary Secondary Agricultural Education Programs
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Authors
Barber, Terry L.
Issue Date
2012-08-03
Type
Thesis
Language
en_US
Keywords
Terry L. Barber , NQPS Standards , National Council for Agricultural Education , Georgia agricultural education programs , Agricultural Education
Alternative Title
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to identify and describe secondary Georgia agricultural education programs that had exemplary characteristics as determined by the National Council for Agricultural Education’s National Quality Program Standards rubric and develop an excellence guide that contained examples of best practices and recommendations for program improvement. Demographics information on each program was used to determine if differences existed in relation to program standards and quality. Data were collected using a survey instrument for the quantitative portion and semi-structured interviews were used for the qualitative portion.
Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the responses to the survey instrument and frequencies and percentages were reported. Pearson’s chi-square tests of independence were used to determine if significant differences could be attributed to ratings on the NQPS survey in relation to the demographic variables of location, agriculture program type, school size, and type of teacher certification. Open-ended questions were utilized during the interview process to identify best practices and recommendations for professional development.
The findings revealed that secondary Georgia agricultural education programs were finding success with the majority of programs rated as Promising on the NQPS for most standards. Six of the seven NQPS standards had fewer than 20 percent rated as Exemplary. The variables of location, program type, and school size had a significant impact on one or more standards. The variable of type of certification had no significant impact. Teachers in programs selected for interviews shared many examples of best practices and recommendations for professional development.