An assessment of Texas FFA contests as perceived by secondary school principals, parents, current FFA members, and teachers of vocational agriculture

Abstract

The primary purpose of this study was to assess the FFA contest program in Texas as perceived by secondary school principals, parents, current third year FFA members, and teachers of vocational agriculture. In order to achieve this purpose the following specific objectives were formulated: 1. To determine areas of agreement and disagreement among secondary school principals, parents, current FFA members, and vocational agriculture teachers concerning the value of FFA contests (with particular reference to improvement of program; purpose of program; conduct of program; educational value; reasons for entering; time expended in preparation and participation; expenses incurred in preparation, travel, and participation; and meeting the primary aim of FFA). 2. To determine if Texas secondary school principals, parents, current FFA members, and vocational agriculture teachers are of the opinion that there is need for additional contests, deletion of some contests, or changes in present contest procedures. 3. To determine if the contest activities selected by Texas FFA chapters are influenced by the number of years of vocational agriculture teaching experience of the advisor, total number of students enrolled in the vocational agriculture classes, number of teachers in the vocational agriculture department, and size of high school.