PROBLEMS IN RECRUITING STUDENTS INTO AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS: A DELPHI STUDY OF AGRICULTURE TEACHER PERCEPTIONS

This national study used the Delphi technique to identify problems that secondary agriculture teachers experience in recruiting students in high school agriculture programs. The study used a series of four mailed questionnaires. The first round of the study used a questionnaire with an open-ended question to facilitate the generation of a wide array of response categories. In round two respondents were asked to rate the 28 problems identified in round one on a Likerttype scale and to make changes in the items as necessary. In rounds three and four respondents were sent the results from the previous round and asked to provide a dichotomous indication of whether or not they agreed or disagreed with each of the revised items. Consensus was reached in the fourth round. The major problems identified by the Delphi technique in the successful recruitment of students into agriculture programs were: scheduling difficulties, finding time to recruit, student involvement in other activities, access to students, competition from other programs, lack of guidance counselor support, increased graduation requirements, image of agriculture, lack of interest in agriculture, and block scheduling.