AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE STATE OF HORTICULTURE PROGRAMS OF SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN THE NORTHEASTERN UNITED STATES (CURRICULUM)

The general purpose of this study was to investigate the "state of the art" of horticultural programs in the Northeastern United States. A comparison of similarities and differences of horticulture programs between states, regions, and the Northeast as a whole provided information to identify the "state of the art".;The areas investigated were: (1) horticultural occupations that make up the current curriculums in the Northeast, (2) currency of the curriculums, (3) descriptive similarities and differences of secondary horticulture programs, (4) differences in educational facilities, and (5) use of competency-based education.;The survey descriptive questionnaire method for gathering data was used in this study. The two page questionnaire consisted of one page of fourteen program descriptive questions, and a one page list of possible horticulural occupational offerings from the National Agricultural Occupations Competency Study. There was an initial mailing and two follow-up mailings.;The findings in this study were: (1) floriculture, greenhouse operation and management, landscape, and nursery operation and management are offered most frequently, while aboriculture and turf are the least offered; (2) most programs are two years in length; (3) most horticulture programs are not located in urban areas; (4) average class enrollment is usually less than 30 students; (5) schools averaged below 2000 students; (6) both vocational and comprehensive delivery systems are used; (7) most horticulture programs are vocational; (8) almost half of the horticulture classes meet state science requirements; (9) a lack of participation exists in Supervised Occupational Experience Programs; (10) most programs have one teacher; (11) a variety of sources are used for curriculum planning; (12) educational facilities varied between programs, but land laboratory and greenhouse are the most frequently used; (13) more than half the horticulture programs use competency-based education; (14) the National Agricultural Occupations Competency Study had a minimal impact on curriculum planning.;The specific purpose of this study was to determine if the National Agricultural Occupations Competency Study had an impact on the horticulture curriculums in secondary schools in the Northeastern United States.