Murray State Theses and Dissertations

Abstract

The agricultural industry increasingly relies on complex machinery and technology, creating a need for skilled workers that are proficient in agricultural mechanics. School-based Agricultural Education (SBAE) programs play a crucial role in preparing students for careers in this field. However, many agriculture teachers feel unprepared to teach agricultural mechanics due to gaps in technical skills, self-efficacy concerns, and safety considerations. This study sought to determine the agricultural mechanics knowledge and skills that Kentucky agriculture teachers need to successfully teach agricultural mechanics in SBAE programs across the state. Using Wells et al.'s (2021) Agricultural Teacher Education and Agricultural Industry Partnership Model as a conceptual framework, this study employed a three-round Delphi technique to reach a consensus among a panel of experienced Kentucky agriculture teachers. A total of 53 teachers were nominated through snowball sampling, with 30 completing the first round, 22 completing the second round, and 18 completing the third round. Panelists initially identified 205 knowledge and skill items in the first round, categorized into 128 technical agricultural mechanics knowledge and skill items and 77 agricultural mechanics laboratory management knowledge items. Through an intensive rating and consensus-building process, 149 essential items were finalized. Eighty of these items were technical agricultural mechanics knowledge and skill items and 69 were agricultural mechanics laboratory management knowledge items. The findings inform SBAE stakeholders by providing a clearer understanding of the competencies needed for agricultural mechanics instruction. These insights can guide agricultural teacher education programs, professional development initiatives, and curriculum design, ensuring alignment with industry needs and strengthening the agricultural workforce pipeline in Kentucky.

Keywords: School-based Agricultural Education, Agricultural Mechanics, Knowledge, Skills

Year manuscript completed

2025

Year degree awarded

2025

Author's Keywords

School-based Agricultural Education, Agricultural Mechanics, Knowledge, Skills

Degree Awarded

Doctor of Education

Department

Educational Studies, Leadership and Counseling

College/School

College of Education & Human Services

Dissertation Committee Chair

Trent Wells

Committee Member

Randal Wilson

Committee Member

Brian Parr

Committee Member

Mark Hainline

Document Type

Dissertation

Download

Included in

Education Commons

Share

COinS