Emerging Innovations in Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources Education

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Emerging Innovations in Agriculture, Food and
Natural Resources Education

• Larry D. Case, Ed.D.
• Panel Member
• National Association of State Directors
• of Career Technical Education Consortium
• Annual Meeting
• Washington, D.C.
• April 11, 2006

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Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources
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National Level Agricultural Education

• Many Organizations are involved in Agricultural
  Education
• Student, Professional and Support Organizations
• The National Council for Agricultural Education
  (The Council)
• Provides a common meeting ground for agricultural
  education leadership

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Vision of The Council

• The Council will be the premier leadership
  organization for shaping and strengthening
  school-based agricultural education at all levels
  in the United States

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Mission of The Council

• The Council provides leadership and coordination
  to shape the future of school-based agricultural
  education
• Proactively identify current and emerging issues
  of national concern
• Provide innovative solutions in response to
  current and emerging issues
• Coordinate the efforts of appropriate entities in
  strengthening programs
• Serve as a national advocate for school-based
  agricultural education

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Growth Goal for Agricultural Food and Natural
Resources

• By the year 2015, there will be in operation
  10,000 quality agricultural science education
  programs serving students through an integrated
  model of classroom/laboratory instruction,
  experiential learning and leadership and personal
  skill development.
• Today, there are 7,200 Ag Ed/FFA programs
• 10,000 will represent a 40 increase

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Maintenance vs. Growth Thinking

• Change in mindset
• Moving from maintaining programs to growing
  programs
• Must address issues and problems
• Creates positive tension between old and new
• Creates a sense of urgency

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Dimensions of the Goal

• Quality
• Program and Curriculum Standards
• New Approaches
• New Program Models
• Quantity
• New Program Models
• Attracting more students
• Attracting a diverse set of students
• More Teachers

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Curriculum Standards

• Goal
• Assessment-ready standards
• Starting with the AFNR knowledge and skills
• Including academic standards
• Secondary and postsecondary (Grades 7-16)

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Program Standards

• Built on 7 Keys of Local Program Success
• Program Planning
• Instruction
• Experiential Learning (SAE)
• Leadership/Personal Development
• Marketing
• Partnerships
• Professional Development

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New Program Model

• Project Lead The Way
• Encouraged by the State Directors and SREB to
  look at PLTW
• Engaged in discussion since October 2005
• Complete package
• Complete curriculum with rigorous instruction
• Prescribe lab requirements
• Integrated academics
• Student assessment
• Teacher training
• On-line support
• Other

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Currently

• The Council Board has commissioned a taskforce to
  develop a framework for a national core
  curriculum in Agriculture, Food and Natural
  Resources
• We will work with PLTW staff to develop possible
  scenarios

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Thanks for Your Cooperation and Support

• We have a group of professionals serving as Local
  Program Success Coordinators to work with your
  State Team in Agricultural Education
• Welcome them into your states!

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Northwest - Yellow Mike Honeycutt Alaska Washing
ton Idaho Montana Wyoming North Dakota South
Dakota Nebraska
Central - Green Larry Gossen Minnesota Wisconsin
Michigan Iowa Missouri Illinois Indiana Ohio Kentu
cky
Northeast - Red Kevin Keith Maine New
Hampshire Vermont Massachusetts Rhode
Island Connecticut New York Pennsylvania New
Jersey Maryland Delaware Virginia West Virginia
Southwest - Blue Mike Womochil Hawaii California
Oregon Nevada Arizona Utah New Mexico Colorado Kan
sas Oklahoma Texas
Southeast - Orange Jeff Papke North
Carolina South Carolina Georgia Florida Alabama Te
nnessee Mississippi Arkansas Louisiana Puerto
Rico Virgin Islands