Barriers and Solutions to Recruitment Strategies of Students into Post-Secondary Agricultural Education Programs: A Focus Group Approach

Agricultural Vocational Education in Developed Countries with Reference to Beijing Urban Agriculture Development

“…New rural construction establishment aims to put forward new challenges and demands for agricultural vocational education [4].…”

Perceptions of Career and Technical Education by Pre-Service Students

“…Berman (2004) continued, "Talented teachers will not last long in a culture that undermines or is neutral to their needs and interests, leaves them isolated, or fails to promote their growth" (p. 118). According to Calvin and Pense (2013), there are five themes that are seen as a barrier to recruiting: time, economy, family, technology, and image. Agricultural educators spend more time outside of the classroom working with students than traditional teachers, and it takes a significant amount of time to receive a certificate to teach agricultural education (Calvin & Pense, 2013).…”

Previous Experience Not Required: Contextualizing the Choice to Teach School-Based Agricultural Education

“…Certainly, it can be concluded that a passion for agricultural education does not solely stem from prior SBAE experiences. Membership in 4-H, familiar experience with agriculture, military training on Agricultural Development Teams, or dietetics and nutrition training may each provide for diverse pathways to SBAE and have far-reaching implications for program recruitment (Calvin & Pense, 2013). To that end, how should programs and the profession be better promoted, so more prospective students are career aware and fewer "stumble upon it"?…”

“…Beyond current teachers, options for improvement do exist in the amalgam of recruitment approaches teacher education programs currently employ (Calvin & Pense, 2013). Certainly we know the long term needs for qualified SBAE teachers will continue to place demand on existing SBAE programs to aid in producing potential post-secondary teacher candidates.…”

“…Park and Rudd (2005) indicated SBAE teachers are credited by their students for serving as a role model toward selecting teaching as a career. Beyond current teachers, options for improvement do exist in the amalgam of recruitment approaches teacher education programs currently employ (Calvin & Pense, 2013). Lawver andTorres (2011, 2012) recommended recruitment efforts and strategies focused on populations outside of SBAE and further study of agricultural education majors and current teachers who do not possess the typical SBAE background found amidst SBAE teachers.…”