| The purpose of this study was to verify, through research, the findings and recommendations emanating from the 1986 Futures Conference, "Georgia's Vocational Agriculture Into The 21st Century." This was a statewide study in which respondents (n = 503)--educational leaders, teachers of Vocational Agriculture, agribusiness leaders, and leaders in production agriculture--evaluated 50 Futures Conference recommendations. The data gathering instrument was developed by the investigator, utilizing a modified Likert scale. The instrument was reviewed by a panel of experts for content and face validity. The data obtained were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The primary objective of the study was accomplished through the use of descriptive statistics. Additional objectives were accomplished through the development and testing of research hypotheses. Analysis of variance was used in testing the hypotheses. Tukey's Studentized Range Test was used to make pairwise comparisons among significantly different means. Based on the findings of the study, it was concluded that: (1) Modification of Vocational Agriculture programs is both timely and appropriate. Forty-seven Conference recommendations were supported by respondents, two were questionable, and one was rejected. (2) Mean responses to the Futures Conference recommendations were not affected by the respondent's sex, race, enrollment status of children in Vocational Agriculture/FFA, or geographical location of residence. (3) Mean responses to the Futures Conference recommendations were affected significantly by the respondent's educational level, personal Vocational Agriculture/FFA enrollment status while in high school, and age. |
