Supply and Demand for Vocational Agriculture Teachers in Washington State, 1975 and 1976.

The study's purpose was to determine the supply and demand for vocational agriculture (Vo-Ag) teachers in Washington State for 1975-76. Primary source data were collected from the files of the State superintendent; institutional information was obtained from Vo-Ag teacher program directors of five regional State universities; and a questionnaire was mailed to all Washington secondary schools, with a 97 percent return rate. Among the 11 general findings were these: class sizes, enrollments, and offerings in Vo-Ag have increased in the 1970's, as has the number of high schools offering Vo-Ag courses; Vo-Ag teachers generally perceive their teaching loads to be heavier than those of other teachers; Vo-Ag teachers are generally younger than their cohorts. One of three reasons cited by high schools without Vo-Ag programs was the unavailability of certified Vo-Ag teachers. Enrollments of the five teacher preparatory universities appear to be in a steady-state, except for Utah. The demand seems to exceed the supply for 1976 by a range of from 3 to 18 teachers. Other findings related to teacher mobility and loss. It is concluded that factors affecting supply and demand for Vo-Ag teachers be studied further. An agricultural education checklist and the survey instrument are appended. (Author/AJ)