WELTON, Richard Frederick, 1933- RELATIONSHIP OF STUDENT CHARACTERISTICS AND PROGRAM POLICIES TO PARTICIPATION IN FFA. The Ohio State University, Ph.D., 1971 Education, vocational ) University Microfilms,A XEROX Company, Ann Arbor, Michigan [ THIS DISSERTATION HAS BEEN MICROFILMED EXACTLY AS RECEIVED relationship o f s t u d e n t characteristics a n d p r o g r a m POLICIES TO PARTICIPATION IN FFA DISSERTATION Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy in the Graduate School of The Ohio State University B y Richard Frederick Welton, B*S*, M.Ed* ***** The Ohio State University 1971 Approved by ^ Adviser Department of Agricultural Education PLEASE NOTE: Some pages have indistinct print. Filmed as received. UNIVERSITY MICROFILMS. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The writer wishes to express gratitude and sincere appreciation to the many persons whose assistance has contributed to.the completion of this study* To Dr* Ralph E. Bender, his major adviser, for his encouragement and sincere interest in the writer's graduate program and in his study* To Dr* J* Robert Warmbrod, who served as research adviser for this study, for his able assistance and continual understanding* To Dr* Ralph E* Bender, Dr* J* Robert Warmbrod, Dr* Ralph J* Woodin, and Dr* L* 0. Andrews for serving on the writer's graduate committee* To the National FFA Board of Directors for their financial support to this study and for their confidence in the writer* Board members who were particularly helpful include: Mr. Jim Dougan, State Supervisor of Agricultural Education in Ohio; Mr* 1/fin* Paul Gray, National Executive Secretary of the FFA; and Mr* Neville Hunsicker, National FFA Adviser* To the state supervisors of agricultural education for their promotion of this study in their respective states* To the teachers of vocational agriculture and their junior and senior students for furnishing the data needed in conducting this study* To his beloved wife, Corwyn, for her inspiration and faith* The writer's children Lesley, David, and Valery each deserve special ii recognition for their patience and understanding# An endeavor of this nature could not have been undertaken without a unified and loving family dedicated to the attainment of an impossible dream# iii VITA April 25, 1933 ..............Born - Sidney, Nebraska 1954-1956 «••■•••••«•• United States Marine Corps 1959 ••••••••••••••• B.S., Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 1959-1962 •••••••«•••• Teacher of Vocational Agriculture, Lyman High School, Lyman, Nebraska 1962-1963 «••••» ........ • Teacher of Vocational Agriculture, Kearney High School, Kearney, Nebraska 1963-1969 ..................... Teacher of Vocational Agriculture, Baton High School, Baton, Colorado 1966 «••••••*••••«• Graduate Assistant, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 1969-1970 «•••*••*•••• Research Associate, Department of Agricultural Education, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 1970-1971 «•••••*•«.*• Academic Adviser, University College, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio iv PUBLICATIONS "Adjusting the Curriculum in a Nebraska Department," Agricultural Education Magazine, July, 1963, p. 6, "Battle Plan for FFA Week." The National Future Farmer. December- January, 1964-1965, p. 42. "Relationship Between Employment in a Non-Farm Production Agricultural Occupation and Farm Experience." Unpublished master's report, Colorado State University, 1966, "Tribute to Youths FFA/AIC Award Winners." A report and slide presenta­ tion, American Institute of Cooperation, Annual Meeting, Colorado State University, 1966. (Mimeographed.) "It's Always Time for Safety." A report and slide presentation, National Vocational Agricultural Teachers Association, 1966, Annual Convention, Denver, Colorado, (Mimeographed.) "Demonstrating the Need for Balanced Feeding." Feed Management. 12*11, November, 1969, p. 22. "Demonstrating Nutritional’ Deficiencies." Animal Nutrition and Health. December, 1969, p. 10. "Colorful Colorado's Agriculture•" Townshend Educator. Department of Agricultural Education, The Ohio State University, XVII*2, March, 1970. "Do You Need a Poultry Nutrition Demonstration?" Farm Technology. Summer, 1970, pp. 10-12. "Membership Gap.•.Fact or Fantasy Appraisal." Agricultural Education Magazine. September, 1970, pp. 53-59. "Demonstrating Your Ability." The National Future Farmer. April-May, 1971, p. 32. V FIELDS OF STUDY Major Field: Agricultural Education Studies in Agricultural Education Professors Ralph E. Bender and J. Robert Warmbrod Studies in Vocational Education Professor Ralph J* Woodin Studies in Teacher Education Professor L. O, Andrews vi TABLE OF CONTENTS Page ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS . ii VITA ................................................ IV LIST OF T A B L E S ................................................. xii LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS .......................... ...........xvii Chapter I. NATURE OF THE S T U D V ........................ 1 The Study '•••••••...... 4 Purpose • •.•••••••• ............ • 4 Objectives 5 Need for the study ♦ • ........ • •••.... 5 Assumptions ........... 9 Limitations • ••••.••.«...«.**.• 9 Methodology . • • ................ • ••••••. 10 Method of investigation ........ ........ II Selection of participants ............ 12 Instrumentation . « • ........ •.. ... 15 Development of the instruments ......... 20 Distribution and follow-up of survey i n s t r u m e n t s ........... 22 Analysis of data ........ 26 Definition of Terms • 29 II. REVIEW OF RESEARCH AND RELATED LITERATURE ...... 31 FFA Programs, Policies, and Objectives ...... 32 Characteristics of Students ••••••••.... 35 Student Participation in Organizations •»•••• 40 Need for Modifications in the FFA ••••••.*• 45 Summary ••.•••.••»•»....*..»«« 49 III. ATTRIBUTES OF VOCATIONAL AGRICULTURE DEPARTMENTS AND FFA CHAPTERS .............. 52 Location of departments ..•••••«..•*.. 52 vii TABLE OF CONTENTS-“Continued Chapter Page III.--Continued Course offerings .............................. 54 Multiple teacher departments....... '........ 56 Chapter charter • ...................... 57 Types of FFA chapters •••••«•••••••* 58 Number of meetings each month ................... 60 Written constitution and by-laws •••••••• 61 Constitution and by-law revision •••••••• 62 Program of activities revision .«•*■•••• 63 FFA essential part of program *•*••«•••• 64 Chapter policy regarding membership ••••••• 65 Number of requirements for membership • •«••• 66 Written program of activities........... 68 Availability of program of activities ••••*• 69 Number of activities planned .............. 70 Membership involved in planning • 71 Opportunity for participation • 72 Recognition according to degree of participation ........ •••••«•••••« 73 Percentage members holding leadership positions ........... • *••••••..«• 74 Successful areas of accomplishment ........ 76 Major problems facing FFA chapters • ••»••• 79 Major changes needed in FFA ......... 82 Relationship Between Mean Participation Score and Selected Attributes............. 84 Static attributes ........... 84 Dynamic attributes ......... ...... 84 Extent of students' involvement in program of activities .«..••« ........ 86 Percentage of membership holding leadership positions • • ........... • . 88 Summary • ........... ♦ * . 90 IV. CHARACTERISTICS OF VOCATIONAL AGRICULTURE STUDENTS RELATED TO PARTICIPATION IN F F A ........ 93 Characteristics of Vocational Agriculture Students •«••••». ... 93 Number of males and females enrolled «.»•»• 94 Ethnic composition of students 95 viii TABLE OF CONTENTS--Continued Chapter Page IV.— Continued Academic achievement of students *...•••• 96 Occupational experience activities •.«••«» 97 Socio-economic status of students ••••••• 99 Participation in school activities ........ • 102 Participation in community organizations .... 103 Percentage membership •••••••«•«••# 104 Non-members previous affiliation •••••••• 105 Reasons students did not j o i n .............. .. 107 Changes needed in FFA before non-members would consider membership •••••»•••• 110 Factors Influencing decision to join •••••• 113 Persons influential in membership ..•••«. 115 Improvements needed in organization ••••■• 116 Significant benefit received from membership ••••••*»»»».»•*••• 120. Attendance at meetings • 123 Chapter offices held 124 Participation in chapter committee •••••«• 125 Participation in chapter activities 127 Participation in district activities »••••. 128 Participation in state activities ••*•••« 129 Participation in national activities •••••* 132 Extent of participation in FFA •••••*•«• 133 Relationship Among Selected Characteristics of Vocational Agriculture Students ........ • • 136 Central Region ••.•••••••••••••. 137 North -Atlantic Region ................ 140 Pacific Region 140 Southern Region »*♦*••••••••*••• 142 Sunmary of intercorrelations for all regions ............................. 144 Relationship Between Students* Characteristics and Participation in FFA •«••••»*•••• 147 Central R e g i o n ............................... 147 North Atlantic Region • ••••••••*••• 148 Pacific Region 149 Southern Region ...................... 150 Summary of regression analysis for all regions combined •••«»• ............ 152 Summary ••••».•• .............. 153 ix TABLE OF CONTENTS— Continued Chapter Page V* SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS........ 159 Summary of the Study « ........ • ••••»»•• 159 Purpose ................... ......... 159 Objectives ••«••••••••••*•••'•• 159 Methodology • • ..............160 Major Findings