With a continuous shortage of qualified agricultural science teachers (Foster, Lawver, Smith, 2014; Kantrovich, 2010), it is imperative teacher preparation programs identify and utilize effective cooperating teachers, as well as develop training for in-service teachers that will assist in preparing more effective cooperating teachers. The purpose…

The purpose of this grounded theory study was to conceptualize the pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) of experienced agriculture teachers in the plant sciences. The overarching theme that emerged during data collection and analysis was the influence of beliefs on participants' PCK. This finding guided subsequent data collection and analysis that…

Due to the lack of student engagement in the common lecture-centered model, we explored a model of instructional delivery where our undergraduate and graduate classes were structured so that students had opportunities for daily interaction with each other. Specifically, we examined how students perceived the value of social interaction on their…

Examined the impact of high-quality middle-level teacher preparation programs. Subjects were 2,139 teachers from 5 states. Middle schools with grades six through eight configurations were selected. Results showed that respondents prepared in comprehensive programs, had separate licensure, or who had taken more courses tended to give more favorable…

Despite the ever-increasing number of online professional development (OPD) programs, relatively few studies have been conducted to examine the efficacy of such programs for teachers and students. This manuscript presents findings from an impact study of OPD courses in fractions, algebraic thinking, and measurement on 79 fifth grade teachers'…

As part of a multiyear research study on the preparation of educators to use assessment data for instructional improvement, the present study is a pilot test of a research-based professional development intervention for career-technical teachers. Forty-eight educators at nine sites in five states participated in a 1-day workshop followed by…

Describes a survey of 52 Missouri vocational agriculture teachers regarding inservice needs of beginning teachers. The five topics of high priority are (1) microcomputers in the classroom, (2) agribusiness management, (3) electricity, (4) training contest teams, and (5) assisting with recordkeeping. (CH)

To determine the core competencies essential for entry employment and/or advancement for mid-management (supervisory) positions, data was collected based on the following objectives: identify mid-management job titles within the public and private sectors of the economy whereby occupational entry can be obtained by completing preservice and…

A survey of 37 beginning agriculture teachers and 16 state supervisors in Missouri identified professional competencies for which teachers needed inservice education. Instruction, planning, evaluation, and administration competencies ranked higher than technical competencies. Teachers' rankings of needs did not correspond with those of…

The career exploration view is designed to stimulate learning which will provide individualized feedback to students concerning their self-identities. The career conscious individual career education model is an outcome-oriented model designed to provide a comprehensive overview of the knowledge, skills, and attitudes individuals need to…

Findings from the 1994 Missouri School Health Education Profile and the 1995 Missouri Youth Risk Behavior Survey, and the executive summary and key findings of the 1996 School Health Education Profile are here combined. The 1994 profile is based on questionnaires completed by 252 principals and 244 teachers. The 1995 survey reports on information…

To effectively provide services to assist consumer educators, data was sought regarding (1) the specific types of classes in which consumer education is taught, (2) the concepts and methodology included in consumer education courses, (3) the concepts and methodology for which teachers feel a particular need for additional information, and (4) the…

A study was conducted in Missouri to determine if differences existed among the educational values, training needs, and services desired by occupational home economics instructors at the preservice and inservice levels based on their years of professional experience, the principal area for which they were responsible, and their employment level.…

The guide provides suggestions concerning possible solutions to specific career education implementation problems. Committee selection and organization are discussed in the first section. Then a detailed approach to a sequential system for program implementation is presented. The program consists of a precommitment stage, commitment stage, and an…

The publication was developed for use in the career education workshops for professional development sponsored by the Missouri State Department of Education. It serves as a resource guide for establishing career development goals and objectives at both the elementary and secondary levels, with emphasis on the junior high school level. The…