An analysis of demographic variables and their relationships to selected teaching activities of agricultural education students and graduates from four universities in Illinois

The study gathered demographic information about Agricultural Education students and graduates and their perceptions concerning the effectiveness of their teacher preparation in Agricultural Education. The source of data used in this study was the 1979 survey of 315 juniors and seniors and graduates from the previous five years in Agricultural Education curriculums in four Illinois Universities. Four hundred and sixty-two subjects were identified; 315 provided usable data. The results showed that there was a significant difference in selected teaching activities based on demographic factors of the respondents. Those showing significant differences were: sex, community college transfers, subject area specialty, farm work experience, enrollment in FFA, enrollment in high school agriculture, graduates not teaching, preparation satisfaction, enrollment in 4-H, junior high school agriculture and career satisfaction. Thirteen demographic factors showed significant differences: sex, graduates, community college transfers, subject area specialty, farm work experience, non farm work experience, enrollment in FFA, enrollment in high school agriculture, graduates not teaching, enrollment in 4-H, student teaching satisfaction, career satisfaction, and student status. There was no significant difference among respondents with zero to five years of teaching experience and the expressed present skill level and expressed past skill level in each of the 24 selected teaching activities.