Louisiana State University LSU Digital Commons LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses Graduate School 1959 Development of Vocational Agricultural Education in Louisiana. John H. Mitchell Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.lsu.edu/gradschool_disstheses Recommended Citation Mitchell, John H., "Development of Vocational Agricultural Education in Louisiana." (1959). LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses. 542. https://digitalcommons.lsu.edu/gradschool_disstheses/542 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at LSU Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses by an authorized administrator of LSU Digital Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. DEVELOPMENT OF VOCATIONAL AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION IK LOUISIANA A Dissertation Submitted to the Graduate Faculty of the Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in The Department of Agricultural Education by John H. Mitchell B.S., Louisiana State University, 194Ô M.S., Louisiana State University, 1953 May, 1959 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. ACKKOV/LEDGÎJlEKT The v/riter expresses his appreciation to Dr. liorris K. Abrams, under whose direction this study was developed, for his assistance and suggestions. To other members of the committee, including Dr. J. G. Floyd, Dr. John A. Hunter, Dr. J. B. Kelley, Dr. li. G. Gaar, and Mr. J. B. Francioni, acknowledgment is extended for their help. Special acknowledgment is extended to Dr. Berton Gremillion, ilr. riormand Edwards, M s s Ruth Starling, and others in the State Department of Education for their splendid cooperation in providing research materials to the writer. The writer is forever indebted to his brother. Dr. Guy G. Mtchell, and other members of his family, for their en­ couragement and assistance. 11 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER page I. INTRODUCTION AND STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEI-1 . 1 INTRODUCTION........................ 1 Principles of Vocational Education. .. 2 Needs of M a n ................ 3 Environment and Learning. ......... 5 Vocational Education.............. 5 Purposes of Vocational Education.... 6 Vocational Education a Necessity.... 7 THE PROBLEM........................ S Statement of the Problem........... 6 Definition of the Problem ........ S Purpose of the Study............... 9 Delimitations ....................... 10 Sources of D a t a .................. 10 Definitions of Terms.......... 11 Organization of the Study......... 15 II. REVIEW OF RELATED INFORI^IATION......... 16 REVIEW OF STUDIES.................. 18 Federal Acts Aiding Education ...... 18 Federal Acts Aiding Vocational Agricultural Education..................... 20 Supervised Farming Programs of All-Day Students ......... ........ 28 iii Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. CHAPTER PAGE Adult Farmer Training................... 31 Advisory Councils...................... 32 In-Service Education for Teachers of Vocational Agriculture ........ 34 Administration of Vocational Agricultural Education at the Local Level.......... 34 Occupational Status of Graduates .... 36 DEVELOPIvIEKT OF EDUCATION IN LOUISIANA. 37 Early Academies........................ 38 Public School System .......... 39 The Turning Point....................... 39 The Schools Move Forward.......... 40 Paul Tulane............................ 41 The State University............... 1+2 Other Schools......... ...... 43 Scope of Modern Education in Louisiana . 44 Curricula in Modern Louisiana Schools. 45 School Units.......................... 1+6 Accreditation of Schools............... 1+6 School Consolidation................... 1+6 Teacher Qualification ......... 47 School Costs and Financing............. 47 DEVELOPMENT OF AGRICULTURE IN LOUISIANA. 49 Early Agriculture in Louisiana.......... 49 Agriculture During the Louisiana Purchase Period.............................. 50 iv Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. CHAPTER PAGE Agriculture From IÜOO-I860 .......... 51 Agriculture Since 1870.............. 57 .................................... 63 III. PRE-VOCATIOHAL AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF LOUISIANA, 1904-1917. 65 Purposes of Agricultural Instruction. 65 Early Sentiment Favoring Teaching of Agriculture............................ 68 ESTABLISHI^IENT OF AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION IN LOUISIANA ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS.............. 70 Corn Clubs................................ 71 Agriculture is Topic of Discussion of School Officials................. 76 School Gardens..................... 76 EARLY AGRICULTURAL INSTRUCTION IN LOUISIANA COLLEGES MID IN LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY 7Ü Typical Examination Questions Employed in the Examination of Teachers of Agri­ culture ............................. 80 ESTABLISHMENT OF AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION IN LOUISIANA HIGH SCHOOLS.............. 81 Teacher Group Favors Agricultural Education....................... 86 Retardation in the Development of Agricultural Schools........... 90 Legislative Provisions for Instruction in Agriculture in Louisiana.......... 91 Requirements of Agricultural Schools Receiving State Funds ................ 92 Curriculum for Pre-Vocational Agriculture S t u d e n t s ....................... 98 V Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. CHAPTER PAGE Types of Agricultural Schools........... 103 Pre-Vocational Community Census Blank. 104 Essential Equipment for Pre-Vocational Agricultural High Schools............ 106 Textbooks in Use During the Pre-Vocational Agricultural Education .............. 10? Agriculture for Beginners ........ 10? Roster of Pre-Vocational Agricultural Schools in Louisiana During Various DesignatedYears ..................... 108 SUI-mRY...................................114 IV. DEVELOPtSNT OF VOCATIONAL AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION IN THE PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS OF LOUISIAIxA............................. 119 ESTABLISHNIENT OF VOCATIONAL AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION IN THE HIGH SCHOOLS OF LOUISIAia............................. 120 Louisiana Legislature Accepts Smith-Hughes Act...................................120 The First State Supervisor of Vocational Agricultural Education .............. 130 Early Qualification Requirements of Teachers of Vocational Agriculture . 132 Early Salaries and Travel Expenses of Vocational Agricultural Teachers .... 136 DEVELOPMENT OF THE COURSE OF STUDY IN VOCATIONAL AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION .... 138 Curricula Offerings During the Early Development of Vocational Agricultural Education........................... 13 8 The Louisiana State Plan for Vocational Agricultural Education .............. 139 vi Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. CHAPTER PAGE Curriculum Requirements in Agriculture. 145 Preparation of Curricula by Teachers. • . I46 Development of the Course of Study in Vocational Agricultural Education in Louisiana........................ 147 Views of J. C. Floyd Relative to Course Building............................ I4 S Box System Organization of Course of S t u d i e s ............................ 150 Community Farming Type Employed in Course Building ...................... 155 Recommended Reference Materials Used by Teachers of Vocational Agriculture. 162 TEACHING IŒTHODS EI^TLOYED IN VOCATIONAL AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION IN LOUISIANA.. 165 Selection of Students of Vocational Agri­ culture in Louisiana.............. 165 Early Methods of Launching the Students Into Vocational Agriculture ...... 169 Methods in Teaching Vocational Agriculture in Louisiana...................... I7I Supervised Practice Work in Vocational Agricultural Education .............. 174 Agriculture for Seventh Grade.... ...... ISO Typical Eighth Grade Lesson Plan in Voca­ tional Agriculture ............ ISl DAY-UNIT INSTRUCTION IN LOUISIANA HIGH SCHOOLS ............................ 185 Day-Unit Classes.................... I85 Farm Shops in Vocational Agricultural Departments....................... .. 187 vii Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. CHAPTER p a g e Advisory Councils (Boards) for Depart­ ments of VocationalAgriculture. 190 Agricultural Equipment Recommended for Use in the Vocational Agricultural High Schools....................... 191 Score Card for Rating Departments of Vocational Agriculture ............ 193 VOCATIONAL AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION DURING WORLD WAR I I ....................... 202 Educational Contributions of the Voca­ tional Agricultural Program to the War Effort....................... 202 FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE FURTHER DEVELOPI-æriT OF VOCATIONAL AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION IN LOUISIANA .............. 206 District and State Conferences ....... 206 Master Teachers of Vocational Agriculture in Louisiana...................... 212 Tenure on Job of Vocational Agriculture Teachers......................... 213 Future Farmers of America (F.F.A.) a Part of the Vocational Agricultural Program.............. 222 SUmiARY............................... 223 V. DEVELOPMENT OF THE FUTURE FARMER ORGANIZATION