KNOWLEDGE AND PERCEPTIONS OF VIRGINIA SECONDARY AGRICULTURE EDUCATORS TOWARD THE AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM AT VIRGINIA TECH

Abstract

Identifying knowledge and perceptions toward a postsecondary agriculture program can benefit the secondary agriculture educator, their students, and the postsecondary program. Agriculture educators need to be aware of post-high school options available to their students. This awareness is the key to meeting the needs of students with varying educational interests and abilities. The purpose of this study was to identify secondary agriculture educators’ knowledge and perceptions of the Agricultural Technology (AT) Program at Virginia Tech and identify how AT administrators can increase awareness of the AT Program. Results indicate that secondary agriculture educators felt strongly that the AT Program curriculum would contribute to a students’ success in the agriculture industry. Educators also indicated that they recommended the AT Program to their students, but encouraged students academically qualified to pursue the bachelor of science degree instead of the AT associates degree. A mass mailing to every secondary agriculture education program was the most often identified means of learning about the AT Program. Having AT Program faculty visit secondary schools, attend FFA activities and career fairs was identified by educators as a means to increase awareness of the AT Program.