A FOLLOW-UP STUDY OF 1973-74 OKLAHOMA VOCATIONAL AGRICULTURE COMPLETERS

Scope and Method of Study. The purpose of this study was to ascertain the occupational status, demographic data, and opinions about their vocational agriculture program from 385 identified 1973-74 completers of secondary vocational agriculture programs in Oklahoma. Those former students represented 274 of 354 vocational agriculture departments operating in 1973-74. One hundred thirty-two former students participated in the study. The responses of the participants represented the Oklahoma contribution to the Southern Regional Follow-up Report of 1979. A survey instrument with modifications for Oklahoma was mailed to the former students. The instrument provided an opportunity for the sample to report the required data and rate statements about their vocational agriculture program. Occupational status was divided into twelve categories which were combined into six categories for statistical analysis. Descriptive statistics were utilized to describe the respondents and analysis of variance was used to test the significant differences between occupational groups by opinions.;Findings and Conclusions. (1) Oklahoma vocational agriculture completers are generally satisfied with their vocational agriculture programs; (2) F.F.A. activities are important to vocational agriculture programs; (3) Supervised occupational experience programs should be included in vocational agriculture; (4) Adult and young farmer classes are not being used extensively; (5) Teachers need to maintain a twelve-month program; (6) Laboratory instruction is needed in vocational agriculture; (7) Vocational agriculture is useful to all clientele in the community; (8) Agribusiness instruction for adults should be emphasized; (9) Vocational agriculture and F.F.A. activities prepare students for the world of work; (10) Leadership development is enhanced by vocational agriculture and F.F.A. experiences; (11) Consistent local follow-up activities need to be conducted and combined into state or regional follow-up reports; and (12) The specific methodology used in this study should not be repeated due to its failure to secure data to obtain the desired confidence level for generalization to the population.