Barriers to Becoming CASE Certified as Seen by Agriculture Educators

There is a need to improve science comprehension in the United States. Incorporating scientific principles into the study of food production provides context to engage youth in STEM education. The Curriculum for Agricultural Science Education (CASE) is an inquiry-based program that stimulates scient...

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Main Authors: Kristin Witte, Nathan W. Conner, Bryan A. Reiling, Mark A. Balschweid, Christopher T. Stripling
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Mississippi State University 2021-10-01
Series:Journal of Human Sciences and Extension
Subjects:
Online Access:https://scholarsjunction.msstate.edu/jhse/vol9/iss3/10/
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author Kristin Witte
Nathan W. Conner
Bryan A. Reiling
Mark A. Balschweid
Christopher T. Stripling
author_facet Kristin Witte
Nathan W. Conner
Bryan A. Reiling
Mark A. Balschweid
Christopher T. Stripling
author_sort Kristin Witte
collection DOAJ
description There is a need to improve science comprehension in the United States. Incorporating scientific principles into the study of food production provides context to engage youth in STEM education. The Curriculum for Agricultural Science Education (CASE) is an inquiry-based program that stimulates scientific engagement. While agriscience teachers believe in the concept, less than 20% are certified in Nebraska to teach CASE. Twenty-five active agriscience teachers, who were not CASE certified, individually discussed their reluctance to become CASE certified. Most research participants had a positive view of CASE but were concerned about the apparent stringent program structure. They questioned individualizing the CASE model for different teaching styles and programs. Three primary barriers to CASE certification were identified: cost, time, and administrative support. Although scholarships were available to cover certification costs ($2,500-$3,000) in Nebraska, participants questioned funding needed equipment and supplies to implement the program. Traditional CASE certifications require 50-100 hours of intense training, and participants opposed trainings that exceeded five days due to personal and professional obligations. Teachers also believe school administrators lack knowledge of CASE benefits. For the widespread implementation of CASE, certification trainings need to be more concise, implementation costs minimized, and school administrators informed of benefits.
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spelling doaj.art-e819cb21a14e411abeca417a167a59e72022-12-22T04:15:48ZengMississippi State UniversityJournal of Human Sciences and Extension2325-52262021-10-0193113https://doi.org/10.54718/MOPM7290Barriers to Becoming CASE Certified as Seen by Agriculture EducatorsKristin Witte0Nathan W. Conner1Bryan A. Reiling2Mark A. Balschweid3Christopher T. Stripling4University of Nebraska-LincolnUniversity of Nebraska-LincolnUniversity of Nebraska-LincolnUniversity of Nebraska-LincolnUniversity of TennesseeThere is a need to improve science comprehension in the United States. Incorporating scientific principles into the study of food production provides context to engage youth in STEM education. The Curriculum for Agricultural Science Education (CASE) is an inquiry-based program that stimulates scientific engagement. While agriscience teachers believe in the concept, less than 20% are certified in Nebraska to teach CASE. Twenty-five active agriscience teachers, who were not CASE certified, individually discussed their reluctance to become CASE certified. Most research participants had a positive view of CASE but were concerned about the apparent stringent program structure. They questioned individualizing the CASE model for different teaching styles and programs. Three primary barriers to CASE certification were identified: cost, time, and administrative support. Although scholarships were available to cover certification costs ($2,500-$3,000) in Nebraska, participants questioned funding needed equipment and supplies to implement the program. Traditional CASE certifications require 50-100 hours of intense training, and participants opposed trainings that exceeded five days due to personal and professional obligations. Teachers also believe school administrators lack knowledge of CASE benefits. For the widespread implementation of CASE, certification trainings need to be more concise, implementation costs minimized, and school administrators informed of benefits.https://scholarsjunction.msstate.edu/jhse/vol9/iss3/10/agrisciencebarrierscaseinquiryscience education
spellingShingle Kristin Witte
Nathan W. Conner
Bryan A. Reiling
Mark A. Balschweid
Christopher T. Stripling
Barriers to Becoming CASE Certified as Seen by Agriculture Educators
Journal of Human Sciences and Extension
agriscience
barriers
case
inquiry
science education
title Barriers to Becoming CASE Certified as Seen by Agriculture Educators
title_full Barriers to Becoming CASE Certified as Seen by Agriculture Educators
title_fullStr Barriers to Becoming CASE Certified as Seen by Agriculture Educators
title_full_unstemmed Barriers to Becoming CASE Certified as Seen by Agriculture Educators
title_short Barriers to Becoming CASE Certified as Seen by Agriculture Educators
title_sort barriers to becoming case certified as seen by agriculture educators
topic agriscience
barriers
case
inquiry
science education
url https://scholarsjunction.msstate.edu/jhse/vol9/iss3/10/
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AT markabalschweid barrierstobecomingcasecertifiedasseenbyagricultureeducators
AT christophertstripling barrierstobecomingcasecertifiedasseenbyagricultureeducators