An exploration of the perceptions of Illinois secondary administrators toward agricultural education and their preferences for a quality agricultural education program
This study examined the perceptions that Illinois administrators have toward secondary agricultural education and the qualities that make an agricultural education program successful. In most cases, positive perceptions and high support levels were tied closely to the ability of the program to apply core concepts such as math, science, and reading into the curriculum. Community need was also cited as an important factor in administrators’ support for agricultural education programs. Those programs with curriculum foci that prepared students in areas of agricultural mechanics, business or production also received strong support. These findings suggest that the major factor affecting administrator support for agricultural education is tied in closely with the ability of the program to aid in increasing student achievement as measured through standardized test scores as well as prepare students for careers in agriculture
