Teacher Education Activity in International Agriculture: A National Assessment.

Overview & Synopsis

Involvement of agricultural teacher education personnel and programs in international activities during the 1960s and 1970s was assessed in a February 1979 nationwide survey. Experience and interest in international activities among agricultural teacher educators were also investigated. Data, analyzed on a regional and national basis, were obtained from questionnaires mailed to 84 head agriculture teacher educators and 348 agricultural education faculty members listed in the 1978-79 Directory of Agricultural Teacher Educators. Response rates were 80% of the agricultural teacher education institutions and 74% of teacher educators. Major findings were that (1) 50% of the programs had been involved in international activities; (2) most institutions reported no program offerings in international agricultural education; (3) at least 245 students from 44 other nations were enrolled in agricultural education programs; (4) about one in five teacher educators had overseas experience in international agricultural education; and (5) 86% of respondents indicated interest in future assignments abroad in agricultural education. Analysis of findings led to these implications: courses and programs in international agricultural education will become more available, the often different needs and objectives of foreign students must be considered, and activity in international agricultural education will remain high in the Central and Eastern Regions and increase in the Southern Region. (YLB)