ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to identify state supervisors' perceptions of teacher efficacy regarding alternatively certified/licensed secondary agriculture teachers. The researcher focused on state supervisors' perception of alternatively certified/licensed teachers' efficacy in relationship to classroom/laboratory, supervised agriculture experience programs, and the National FFA organization. The researcher chose to conduct descriptive survey. Forty five states expressed that they offered alternative certification/licensure (N = 45). The population consisted of all state supervisors of agriculture educators as listed by the 2010-2011 approved list from the American Association for Agricultural Education and the National Association of Supervisors of Agricultural Education. State supervisors disagreed that alternatively certified/licensed teachers were performing up to standards in regards to supervised agriculture experience programs. The researcher also found a statistical significance in relation to the community population in which the alternatively certified teacher was teaching in and the performance data for classroom/laboratory and FFA activities. "iii" DEDICATION This dissertation is dedicated to the individuals who walk into agriculture education classrooms throughout the United States in an attempt to make a difference in the lives of young people every day. It is also dedicated to my family and friends who have supported my ever endeavor. "v" TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT……………………………………………………………………………. ii DEDICATION…………………………………………………………………………. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS……………………………………………………………. iv LIST OF TABLES……………………………………………………………………... vi LIST OF FIGURE……………………………………………………………………... vii CHAPTER I Introduction……………………………………………………………..

Youth involved in 4-H projects have been engaged in science-related endeavors for years. Since 2006, 4-H has invested considerable resources in the advancement of science learning. The new Minnesota 4-H Science of Agriculture Challenge program challenges 4-H youth to work together to identify agriculture-related issues in their communities and to work with local experts, using scientific and engineering principles, to devise real solutions for those issues. The Minnesota 4-H Science of Agriculture Challenge program has the potential to change the way scientific and engineering principles are integrated into 4-H youth development programming.