Environmental Education in Vocational Agriculture Curriculum and Agriculture Teacher Education in Michigan, U.S.A., a Case Study. Environmental Education Series 28.

Overview & Synopsis

Environmental education has been incorporated into both the school curriculum and teacher education for vocational agriculture in Michigan. It is, for the most part, not a separate program area but is integrated into production units. The same instructional method for teaching environmental education is followed as for any other topic, predominantly problem solving. The agricultural teacher education program at Michigan State University contains significant amounts of emphasis on environmental education through specific courses and integrated parts of other courses. Major achievements in the incorporation of environmental education into agricultural education are: (1) curriculum revision and inservice education in teacher education; and (2) curriculum revision and Future Farmers of America contests and awards for students. Major constraints include insufficient course offerings and local school district autonomy. Strategies for incorporating environmental education into agricultural education are active state support, leadership, expanded knowledge base of teachers, and curriculum development. Documents and activities need to be developed to support teachers and assist regional leaders. (Appendixes include requirements for the major in natural resources and environmental education and three course descriptions.) (YLB)