| The primary purpose of this study was to identify and analyze the perceptions held by Pennsylvania secondary school agriculture teachers regarding implementing recommendations from the National Research Council's Understanding Agriculture: New Directions for Education (1988) and the Strategic Plan for Agricultural Education (1989). A second purpose was to describe the implications of these perceptions to the changing environment in the secondary schools of Pennsylvania.;The research instrument gathered data in five areas: used and need perceptions of the Goals of the Strategic Plan, used and need perceptions of the National Council's Resolutions of the Strategic Plan, Locus of Control, agriculture program demographics, and teacher characteristics. Pennsylvania secondary school agriculture teachers perceived their present strength to be in serving all groups and individuals equally without discrimination. Their present weakness is perceived to be cultivating partnerships with other school departments.;Needs were determined by comparing the scales of used presently or in the last 5 years, and the present need. Among the need gaps that were found to be significant, a need for closing the gap between agricultural and academic education, and a need to develop a state-wide plan were rated highest. Teachers also perceived that communication and working together is essential for developing a state-wide strategic plan for secondary school agricultural education. Written comments on these needs focused on the desire to have the Pennsylvania Vocational Agriculture Teachers Association, Penn State University and the Pennsylvania Department of Education do more to help teachers in their respective schools with program and curricula needs.;Pennsylvania secondary school agriculture teachers were found to be, internally motivated with respect to locus of control. They were found to rank themselves very high with regard to personal efficacy. This self perceived profile indicates that such teachers are capable to plan and implement changes in program and instructional areas. |
