A STUDY OF THE AGRICULTURAL COMPETENCIES OF SENIOR VOCATIONAL AGRICULTURE STUDENTS IN MICHIGAN BASED ON THEIR SUPERVISED OCCUPATIONAL EXPERIENCE PROGRAMS

A Supervised Occupational Experience (S.O.E.) program for vocational agriculture students is recognized as an accepted program and necessary educational practice by most people who are involved in agricultural education. Most agree that S.O.E. programs are important for learning and should be a vital and integral part of the total vocational agriculture program.;The target population for the study consisted of all Michigan high school students enrolled in Vocational Production Agriculture, who were participating in S.O.E. programs and classified as seniors during the 1981-82 school year. Through a systematic random sampling of forty-three schools, 331 students were selected to participate in this study. The data were collected by mailed questionnaires during the spring of 1982. The data were analyzed to: (1) Determine the number and frequency of responses in terms of selected personal characteristics of students based on their type of S.O.E. programs and their place of residence. (2) Determine if significant relationships existed between selected personal characteristics of students and (a) students' type of S.O.E. programs, and (b) students' place of residence. (3) Determine if significant difference existed in the students' perceived level of competence in Production Agriculture and, (a) the focus of their S.O.E. programs, (b) their place of residence, and (c) their level of positive attitude toward work and workers.;Based upon the data gathered, it can be stated that: (1) There was a significant difference among the three groups of students (based on the types of S.O.E. programs) on the level of perceived competency in Production Agriculture. (2) A significant difference was observed between the two groups of students (based on the place of residence) in the perceived competence in Production Agriculture. (3) There was a significant difference among the three groups of students (based on the types of S.O.E. programs) on the level of positive attitude toward work and workers.;There was need for statewide research to determine which types of S.O.E. programs were most effective. Effectiveness could be demonstrated through evidence of a positive relationship between students' type of S.O.E. programs and their learning achievement.