Murray State Theses and Dissertations

Abstract

Abstract

The purpose of the current study was to explore Alabama agriculture teachers’ perceptions toward compensation and extended contract grants that the state offers annually. The current study was a microreplication of Still and Solomonson’s (2024) prior study and was conceptually framed by their agriculture teacher compensation model. Using a Qualtrics-based data collection instrument, the researcher used multiple points of contact as recommended by Dillman et al. (2014) and collected usable data from 95 Alabama agriculture teachers. The researcher used descriptive statistics to analyze all data collected as part of the current study. The researcher found that respondents felt they were adequately compensated for their time and effort throughout the typical school day; yet, they overwhelmingly felt that they were not properly compensated for their out-of-school responsibilities. The researcher further found that a majority of respondents have considered leaving the profession throughout the past three years. The researcher recommends that an extended contract grant application-focused mentorship program be developed and implemented to serve agriculture teachers prior to applying for funds. To help increase the likelihood of agriculture teachers receiving funds, the researcher recommends that Alabama Agricultural Education state staff annually facilitate professional development sessions focused on successfully procuring extended contract grants. Based on the findings presented within the current study, great potential to positively impact Alabama agriculture teacher retention exists via this extended contract grant opportunity.

Year manuscript completed

2025

Year degree awarded

2025

Author's Keywords

Agricultural Education, Teacher Retention, Compensation, Extended Contract

Degree Awarded

Doctor of Education

Department

Educational Studies, Leadership and Counseling

College/School

College of Education & Human Services

Dissertation Committee Chair

Trent Wells

Co-Director of Dissertation

Kristie Guffey

Committee Member

Jay Solomonson

Document Type

Dissertation

Download

Share

COinS