The Development of the Integrated Three-Component Model of Agricultural Education
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THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE INTEGRATED THREE-COMPONENT MODEL OF AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION D. Barry Croom, Associate Professor North Carolina State University Abstract This research project sought to determine the origin of the three-component model of agricultural education in the United States and provided a contextual base for future research into the three-component model for agricultural education. The study concluded that each of the three components of the agricultural education model originated at different times in American history but were developed simultaneously. Supervised experience probably originated in colonial America, and formal instruction in agricultural education probably began in 1858. The FFA was officially established in 1928, although similar agricultural youth organizations probably began either at the end of the nineteenth century or the beginning of the twentieth century. This study did not find evidence of an established date or recognized event that created the three-component agricultural education model. The Smith-Hughes Act of 1917 provided a more sophisticated linkage between classroom instruction and supervised experience. This study did not find evidence of a legal basis for the integral nature of the three-component agricultural education model. Instead, the integral nature of the model probably exists out of tradition, or as a result of a philosophical tenet in the agricultural education profession. Introduction and Theoretical Framework learning experiences for students in the agricultural career pathway of their choice. The predominant model for organizing Supervised agricultural experience requires instruction in agricultural education involves an educational plan cooperatively developed the interrelationships between three major by the student, the agriculture teacher, the concepts: classroom and laboratory student’s parents, and an employer if instruction, supervised agricultural necessary. This education plan is carried out experience, and agricultural youth in a location outside of normal daily organization participation (Phipps & instruction in agricultural education. The Osborne, 1988). Classroom and laboratory student maintains records of his or her SAE instruction are those activities that provide activities. SAE experience helps students learning experiences within the confines of a put into practice the principles learned in the school facility. These classroom activities agriculture classroom. Students who excel are characterized by learning activities in the supervised agricultural experience are designed by an agriculture teacher and rewarded through the National FFA presented to students using formal Organization (FFA) proficiency awards instruction methods such as lecture, program and membership degree program. demonstration, guided and independent The FFA is an instructional tool that practice, review, and assessment. compliments both instruction and supervised Instructional content includes agricultural agricultural experience. FFA programs are mechanics, animal science, horticulture, designed to encourage students to perform agricultural production and biotechnology well academically. In addition, the FFA (Talbert, Vaughn, & Croom, 2006). assists in the development of students’ Supervised Agricultural Experience interest in agricultural careers through (SAE) is an independent learning program support of the supervised agricultural for students enrolled in agricultural experience program. FFA activities include education courses. It is designed to provide career development events, individual Journal of Agricultural Education 110 Volume 49, Number 1, 2008 Croom The Development of the Integrated… member awards programs, scholarships and for assessing the quality of SAE leadership programs (Phipps & Osborne, programs. 1988). With regard to the FFA element of the The integrated agricultural education model, there is a gap between the number of model requires that agricultural education agricultural education students and the programs combine instruction, supervised number of students who are official agricultural experience and FFA (Talbert et members of the FFA (Talbert et al., 2006), al., 2006). However, a number of studies even though FFA membership has continued have indicated a decline in the number of to increase in recent years (National FFA students involved in supervised experience. Organization, 2006a). Even though students Dyer and Osborne (1996) and Cheek, who join the FFA were more connected to Arrington, Carter and Randell (1994) the industry of agriculture and were more conclude that SAE programs lack overall engaged in agricultural education direction and goals by which program coursework (Croom & Flowers, 2001; quality can be measured. Even though Talbert & Balschweid, 2004), the National classroom instruction improves SAE quality, FFA Organization (2006a) reported a gap of there is great variance in how teachers almost 200,000 students between FFA manage the SAE program (Dyer & Osborne, membership and student enrollment in 1996). A number of related studies (Dyer & agricultural education programs. Of the Osborne, 1995; Dyer & Williams, 1997; components in the three-component model Steele, 1997) conclude that many teacher- of agricultural education, instruction occurs educators, teachers, and program with the greatest frequency. If this model is administrators fail to fully implement composed in such a way that classroom SAE in the agricultural education instruction, FFA, and SAE are integrally program, even though SAE has a proven linked and equally weighted components, economic impact (Retallick & Martin, then why do the FFA and SAE components 2005). Dyer and Osborne (1996) generally subordinate themselves to found that no common standards existed instruction? Figure 1 describes this model. Formal Instruction Supervised FFA Experience Figure 1. Diagram of the integrated three-component agricultural education model. Journal of Agricultural Education 111 Volume 49, Number 1, 2008 Croom The Development of the Integrated… Hirsch’s (1988) Cultural Literacy Model information were subjected to internal is the theoretical model for this study, and is criticism for accuracy and external criticism based on the premise that agricultural for authenticity. Readers should not assume educators need to have a basic literacy of that the findings and conclusions of this agricultural education in order to function in study are causal elements for modern their professional environment. Cultural theories associated with agricultural literacy in agricultural education underpins education. the public discourse about the profession. Reading the scientific and popular literature Findings in the agricultural education profession is a complex skill that requires a specific The first known agricultural educators knowledge of the range of subjects that on the North American continent were influence the profession. Learning is thus native indigenous peoples who passed down dependent upon both specific broad methods for cultivation to successive knowledge and a diversity of prior generations. The first formal compulsory knowledge. Hirsch’s Cultural Literacy education system arrived on the continent Model encourages professional educators to through the passage of the Massachusetts continue to learn and deepen their Act of 1642 (Barger, 2006). Prior to this, knowledge of the profession and find deeper most youth were educated through meaning in issues related to the development apprenticeships in the various trades in of the model by which agricultural education colonial America. The Massachusetts Act is performed in the United States. provided for the formal study of religion and the laws of the Commonwealth of Purpose and Procedure Massachusetts. Schools became the place where classical education was provided, The overall purpose of this research with studies concentrating on Latin and the project was to determine the origin of the basics of reading and mathematics (Urban & three-component model of agricultural Wagoner, 2000). education in the United States. The In the mid to late eighteenth century, objectives for this research project were to organizations and societies began promoting identify the origins of each of the three agricultural education outside of the formal components of the integrated agricultural school establishment. The Philadelphia education model and to establish the origin Society was established in 1785 for the of the integrated agricultural education purpose of familiarizing members with model. This research project also sought to improved agricultural methods. In 1792, the provide a contextual base for future research Massachusetts Society for Promoting on the three-component model for Agriculture set up meetings for the purpose agricultural education. This is a historical of inviting farmers to learn new methods of research study. A preliminary improving agriculture. In the 1850’s, bibliographical source was created agricultural societies began to disseminate consisting of primary and secondary research in agricultural practices in rural sources. Primary sources of information communities, primarily through included reports from the Federal Board for publications, newspaper articles and Vocational Education and the published lectures. Agricultural fairs, formerly an manuscripts of agricultural educators in the outlet for selling farm animals and products, early twentieth century. Secondary sources gradually began to include educational included, but were