Assessing the Learning Needs of Student Teachers in Texas Regarding Management of the Agricultural Mechanics Laboratory: Implications for the Professional Development of Early Career Teachers in Agricultural Education

Abstract

Skills needed to manage a laboratory are essential knowledge for all school–based, agriculture teachers who instruct agricultural mechanics curriculum (Saucier, Terry, & Schumacher, 2009). This research investigated the professional development needs of Texas agricultural education student teachers regarding agricultural mechanics laboratory management. Data were collected with a mailed questionnaire to determine student teachers’ perceptions of the importance of 70 agricultural mechanics laboratory management competencies and their self–assessed ability to perform those competencies. The Borich (1980) Needs Assessment Model was used to assess and evaluate the professional development needs of these student teachers. The study found that these student teachers were in need of professional development in many areas of laboratory management, such as diagnosing malfunctioning laboratory equipment, repairing laboratory equipment, and administering first aid.