Problem The problem for this study was to determine the occupations entered by graduates of the agricultural education department at Virginia Polytechnic Institute from 1959-1969, their advancements, and the effectiveness of their training. Purposes The specific purposes of the study were to determine: the employment record of the graduates, their mobility, the effectiveness of their training, their financial advancement, their educational advancement, and certain of their other achievements. Method The study was based on data secured by mailing a questionnaire to the 245 graduates. The questionnaire was completed and returned by 179 (73.l percent) of the graduates. Findings There were 134 (74.9 percent) of the reporting graduates who began employment in the agricultural education field. In 1970 there were 96 (53.6 percent) of the reporting graduates who were still employed in the agricultural education field. The 104 (58.l percent) of the graduates who reported that they had changed occupations listed 39 reasons for changing occupations. The graduates reported a need for more courses in business and management. The graduates also reported a need for more training in the specialized areas of the agricultural education curriculum. The average beginning salary for the reporting graduates was $5,650.00. The average 1970 salary was $9,439.00. There were 41 (22.9 percent) of the graduates who held advanced degrees beyond the Bachelor of Science degree. There were 110 (61.5 percent) of the graduates who reported special achievements. / Master of Science

M.S.

Middle school programs in agricultural education are unique educational experiences that provide middle school aged children in Virginia with a basic understanding of agriculture and its applied sciences. Curriculum innovations such as the one for Virginia middle schools provide guidance for teachers in the field and offer a base from which programs can operate. However, the benefits of educational innovations are never fully realized until the teacher in the classroom adopts and implements the changes. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between teacher characteristics and the adoption of agriscience curriculum in Virginia middle school agricultural education programs. The population for this study consisted of the 57 middle school teachers of agricultural education in Virginia. All of the teachers were surveyed with an 81% response rate obtained. Selected conclusions drawn from the findings were: 1. There are two distinct groups of middle school agricultural education teachers in Virginia, those who are teaching a large part of the approved curriculum and those who are teaching only a small portion of the curriculum. 2. Teacher attitude toward agriscience is a significant predictor of the amount of agriscience curriculum taught. 3. Teacher knowledge of agriscience is a significant predictor of the amount of agriscience curriculum taught. 4. Teacher expectations of agriscience curriculum is a meaningful predictor of the amount of agriscience curriculum taught. Selected recommendations drawn from the findings and conclusions are: 1. Given the existence of the significant contribution of the teachers’ positive attitude toward the amount of agriscience curriculum taught by middle school teachers of agricultural education in Virginia, more effort by teacher education, the Virginia Department of Education, and agricultural interests in Virginia should be devoted to building positive attitudes toward agriscience. 2. Given the significant contribution of the teachers’ knowledge toward the amount of agriscience curriculum taught by middle school teachers of agricultural education in Virginia, more effort is needed by teacher education to prepare prospective teachers in agriscience content and methodology as part of their teacher preparation. The Virginia Department of Education and agricultural interests in Virginia should also commit to teacher training through inservice and other activities involving agriscience education. / Ph. D.

M.S.

In this thesis the author has conscientiously attempted to portray in clear fashion the status of all V.P.I. graduates, post graduates, and those qualified to teach in vocational agriculture since 1918. The material collected, it is hoped, will serve as a source of information for professors at V.P.I. who have to do with guidance and placement. Furthermore, it is expected that the information contained herein, will show certain pertinent facts concerning the department of vocational education in question. Is the department efficient? Do its graduates secure jobs? Are salaries commensurate with time spent in securing degrees? Does the higher degree have any significance so far as increase in salary or steps in advancement are concerned? Have the V.P.I. graduates obtained positions of unusual responsibility and honor? Has service rendered by these graduates been hit or miss, or has it been constructive and definite over a long period of time? What has been the percentage of V.P.I. agricultural men who have entered occupations allied to farming? Are there any facts which indicate success n these allied occupations? Such questions as the above, and others, are answered in this thesis. In attempting to collect the information mentioned above the author has made use of the Alumni Office files; the records in offices of the various supervisors of Agricultural Education - Dr. W.S. Newman, State Board of Education, Richmond, Va.; Mr. D.J. Howard, Assistant State Supervisor, Winchester, Va.; Mr. T.V. Downing, District Supervisor, Ivor, Va.; Mr. J.O. Hoge, District Supervisor, Blacksburg, Va.; Mr. F.B. Cale, District Supervisor, Appomattox, Va.; department files; Alumni files; Registrar's office; Cormier's thesis and questionnaires. Grateful acknowledgment is made to these men as well as to Professors E.C. Magill, H.C. Groseclose, H.W. Sanders, and other school officials who have rendered valuable assistance in the arduous task of preparing this thesis. / Master of Science