Examination of Academic Performance and Subject Area Competence of Agricultural Education Pre-service Teachers

Abstract

The acquisition of subject matter knowledge for teachers in agricultural education is a vital component of the modal curriculum model used at Oklahoma State University. The examination of this knowledge is equally vital to the certification process, and requires the successful completion of the Oklahoma Subject Area Test. The purpose of this study was to identify differences between performance in courses of technical agriculture (PICTA) and subarea scores of pre-service teachers in the agricultural education program at Oklahoma State University. Through the use of a time and place sample of pre-service agricultural education students, the study concluded the following: the existence of variability in the performance in courses of technical agriculture, Oklahoma Subject Area Test exam scores indicated most students met the knowledge level necessary to pass the exam and were well prepared through their coursework, and no relationships of magnitude higher than moderate were found between performance in technical agriculture courses and subarea scores on the Oklahoma Subject Area Test. It is recommended that changes be considered to either the curriculum for agricultural education at Oklahoma State University or the Oklahoma Subject Area - Agriculture exam to reflect the curriculum being taught and tested for on the exam. It is also recommended that prior knowledge and experiences related to agriculture be identified so advisors can suggest appropriate coursework and experiences that could potentially improve student performance in coursework and ultimately on subject are examinations.