Content Topic Development for Elementary Agricultural Education Curriculum

Abstract

The purpose of this Delphi study was to determine perceptions of 16 stakeholders regarding what topics should be included in new elementary agricultural education curriculum for the state of Georgia. Participants consisted of elementary principals/teachers/counselors, middle school teachers, Ag in the classroom representatives, Agricultural Education State Staff, curriculum specialists, early childhood teachers, and commodity group representatives. This Delphi study resulted in 52 topics that were agreed upon by the participants; 10 topics received a 4.50 – 5.00, 16 items received a 4.25 – 4.49, 13 items received a 4.00 – 4.24, 11 items received a 3.75 – 3.99, 2 items received a 3.50 – 3.7. Participants identified the following five knowledge/skills/competencies as the most important: 1. Define agriculture and local community agriculture, 2. Agriculture industry other than farming, 3. Farm products/ag products/locally grown, 4. Careers in agriculture, 5. Resource management. These 52 knowledge/skills/competencies serve as a practical starting point for elementary agricultural education standards development. Additional research is needed to refine each knowledge/skills/competencies. The results of this study have been used to create the first set of elementary agricultural education standards for Georgia that were implemented in the Fall of 2019 by 26 pilot elementary agricultural education programs.