Factors Associated With Enrollment In Agricultural Science And Membership In The FFA In Texas

Abstract

Beginning with A Nation at Risk in 1983, numerous reports were issued throughout the 1980s calling for educational reform in the United States. These reports resulted in sweeping educational reforms enacted by state legislatures nationwide. In Texas, significant educational changes were initiated in 1984 by House Bill 72. One of the outcomes of this bill was major reform in secondary agricultural education. In 1988, the traditional program of Vo-Ag I, II, III, and IV was phased out and replaced with twentythree, semester-length courses. These courses were designed to reflect a diversified and changing agricultural industry. In addition to the course changes, requirements for Supervised Agricultural Experience Programs (SAEP) were changed.

Factors Influencing Enrollment in an Urban Agricultural Education Program

“…Similar to findings from previous studies (Reis & Kahler, 1997;Luft & Geise, 1991), this investigation identified parents to be the most influential individuals on a students' decision to enroll in an urban agricultural education program, however, friends and significant others were considered to be less of an influence. This study also identified an interest in animals to be an influential factor for student enrollment behaviors supporting the findings of Reis and Kahler (1997), Marshall, Herring, and Briers (1992), and Luft and Geise (1991), although, these studies defined interests more broadly.…”

“…Past studies have indicated numerous factors influencing student enrollment behaviors including parents, friends, and significant others (Luft & Geise, 1991;Marshall, Herring, & Briers, 1992;Reis & Kahler, 1997); circumstantial/disavowance reasons (Marshall, Herring, & Briers, 1992); interests (Connors, Moore, & Elliot, 1989;Marshall, Herring, & Briers, 1992); image, future value, and perceptions of agriculture (Hoover & Scanlon, 1991;Talbert & Larke, 1995); and career and educational preparation, developmental skills, academic enhancement, response to social pressure, and participation in activity enhanced learning (Sutphin & Newsom-Stewart, 1995). Although these studies have identified numerous factors influencing enrollment in secondary programs of agriculture, there has been limited research efforts focused on students enrolled in secondary agricultural programs within urban areas.…”

Factors Influencing Minority And Non-Minority Students To Enroll In An Introductory Agriscience Course In Texas

“…The instrument was field tested at two schools that had ethnic diversity and were not in the study. The original constructs were developed through a literature search and previous questionnaires by Flores (1989) and Marshall (1990). Scales to measure these constructs were developed based on both conceptual and empirical analysis.…”

Leadership Self-Perceptions of WLC Participants

“…Previous research involving the FFA has focused on identifying leadership characteristics and differences between FFA members and non-FFA members in regional areas and states (Townsend & Carter, 1982;Ricketts & Newcomb, 1984;Stewart, Smith, Ehlert, & Milhalevich, 1985;Scanlon & Burket, 1986;Fraze, 1986;Marshall, 1990;Dormody & Seevers, 1994;Wingenbach & Kahler, 1997). These studies support the theory that "all good leaders are learners" (Frigon & Jackson, 1996) and that the FFA organization has a successful leadership program.…”