Problems And Challenges Associated With The First Years Of Teaching Agriculture: A Framework For Preservice And Inservice Education

Abstract

This national study used the expertise of the winners of the NVATA Outstanding Young Member Award in identifying problems and challenges associated with the first years of teaching agriculture. The study was conducted using a t three stage Delphi technique. The population surveyed were the state winners of the NVATA Outstanding Young Member Award for the years I995 and I996 and totaled 61 different names. The respondents to survey one listed over50 problems and challenges associated with the first years of teaching agriculture. The 350 problems and challenges were subsequently grouped into 23 categories andformed the contentfor surveys two and three using a Likert-type scale. Sixty percent of the respondents rated seven of the 23 categories as very important problems and challenges for first year teachers. Classroom management and student discipline, again in this study, surfaced as a problem for first year teachers. However, different from other studies, the issues relating to time and organizational management, and managing the activities of the FFA chapter surfaced as big problems and challenges and consistently placed at the top of the list in this study.