Action Research Overview

ACTION RESEARCH PRJOECT

Process Overview

Stakeholder Perception of the Value of Agriculture Education Programs

1.  Setting the Foundation-During the Texas Agricultural Science Leadership Institute the perception of AgEd programs was discussed at length.  This brought the idea that perceived value could influence reality to the forefront of my thought.  In talking to Mr. Richard Katts, the CTE Director for the Nebraska Department of Education, and other guest speakers I learned that it is important to understand the perception of the AgEd program in order to garner support.  Therefore, I am resolved to conduct a thorough action research project on the perceived value of the AgEd program within my school district.  The ultimate goal to be implementing a plan of improvement to increase the perceived value and match that with a realized success.  Eventually I would like to recreate this project on the statewide level for all agriculture education programs in Texas.  This aspect of the project has been completed.
2. Analyzing the Data-I will use surveys, questionnaires, and interviews to gather data from the following groups of people: students, teachers, administrators, counselors, business leaders and community members, and government officials.  I will also use literature available from the Nebraska DOE perception study.  In addition to this I will analyze the enrollment and participation of students in the AgEd programs in the school district. The results of this data will likely prove that the perceived value of those outside the AgEd experience is lower than those directly involved in agriculture education.  Data will be gathered from 08/15 through 10/15/11.  All eight AgEd teachers, including myself, will conduct the questionnaires with our respective campuses.
3. Developing Deeper Understanding-Using the data collected in step 2 I will conduct additional interviews, possibly in the form of Focus Groups and add more documented information such as previously published perception studies.  I will likely have more questions and perhaps a couple of clues into AgEd perceived values.  This portion of the project is likely to be completed during late October, 2011.
4. Engage in Self-Reflection-Once perceptions are documented and understood I will probably have the following questions:

*Do I have the contacts required to conduct more in-depth analysis of the results to this point?

*If I discover that an improvement plan will help the perceived value of the AgEd program do I have the skills to develop and implement an effective plan?

*If I don’t have the skills required can I acquire them?

The timeline for conducting this section of the project should be early November, 2011.

5.  Exploring Programmatic Patterns-I will discuss the results with Mr. Richard Katts (Nebraska DOE CTE Director) and Mr. Gerald Young (Vocational Agriculture Teachers Association of Texas) and with Mrs. Hunt (school district CTE Director).  With their assistance I hope to develop a plan for improvement that will increase the perceived value and therefore support of the AgEd program.  I expect to complete this step in the months of November and December.

6. Determining Direction-I will answer the following questions:

*Am I clear on the purpose of my project?

*Have I adequately addressed the resources and skills questions?

*Have I established a collaborative approach to the issue?

*Are the timelines realistic?

*Do I have a reasonable plan for monitoring the project?

*How will I evaluate the success of the project?

*How will I revise the plan based on monitoring and evaluation?

Through an honest response to each question I will be able to identify areas in need of improvement.  This step should be completed by the end of December 2012.

7.  Taking Action for School Improvement-I will establish a committee of other AgEd teachers in the district to help implement an agreed upon plan for improvement.  Working together we’ll institute the plan, summarize the results and and evaluate the success of the plan. I hope that the improvement plan can be implemented in the spring semester of 2012.

8.  Sustain Improvement-I will share the results with the other AgEd teachers in the district and also with the Executive Director of the VATAT; which helps promote AgEd in the state of Texas.  The aspects of the improvement plan that are successful we will encourage other AgEd programs to implement.  With continued use of this plan the perceived value of our district’s AgEd program should increase which will garner more support both from the school district and the community.  This aspect of the project should be ongoing.