Perceptions of the importance of professional teaching competencies and selected rural environment factors to the effectiveness of vocational agriculture programs in Nevada

Teacher education programs directly influence the professional competencies possessed by vocational agriculture teachers. To determine perceptions of the professional competencies needed by vocational agriculture teachers in Nevada, teachers currently in Nevada vocational agriculture programs and the principals of the secondary schools in which they are located were surveyed. This survey indicates that there is a difference in the competencies the teachers perceive are needed in a vocational agriculture program and the competencies they use in their local program. This survey also indicates that teachers and principals are similar in their perceptions of professional teaching competencies needed in a vocational agriculture program and the competencies used in the local programs. This survey also indicates that certain factors of the rural environment in Nevada influence the effectiveness of vocational agriculture teachers.