Recipient Organization
WASHINGTON COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL
601 LINCOLN PARK RD.
SPRINGFIELD,KY 40069
Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
Washington County High School (WCHS), via collaboration between varied departments within the school, will equip students to meet the challenges of a changing agricultural workplace by creating a merger between agriculture, science and technology at the high school level.
Animal Health Component
100%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
100%
Developmental
(N/A)
Goals / Objectives
Washington County High School (WCHS), via collaboration between varied departments within the school, will equip students to meet the challenges of a changing agricultural workplace by creating a merger between agriculture, science and technology at the high school level. Project objectives focus on improvement of curriculum through integration of agri-science technology into traditional agriculture programs, extension of teaching competencies in more subject areas for maximizing the potential of agri-science technology, increased student exposure to agriculture-related career paths and promotion of post-secondary education, and greater diversity in the schools agriculture program improving diversity of the agricultural workforce. Through a partnership with the Washington County Young Farmers organization, agri-science technology will be made available to the county's adult farmer population, assisting them in adapting to the changing structure of the county's
agriculture segment as it moves away from its traditional dependence on tobacco production. New partnerships will be developed to strengthen career awareness programs, enabling students to better connect agri-science technology curriculum to potential careers. An Agri-Science Technology lab will initially house 18 computers as the primary means of instruction, with each computer linked to specific subject area modules. Global positioning, agricultural marketing, horticulture, farm management, and hydroponics are a sampling of the 12 modules to be incorporated into the curriculum during the labs first year of operation. Integration of science and technology into the traditional agriculture program will impact students in terms of practical understanding and use of science and technology, access to the latest advances in science and technology, and increased collaboration between core content instructors. Utilization of real-world applications will assist students in better
understanding the link between academic subject areas and realistic workplace situations and increase their awareness of agricultural careers. Introduction of the agri-science technology program is likely to impact student diversity in agriculture programs by broadening the curriculum offerings and appealing to students who may not otherwise have had an interest in traditional agriculture programs. Utilization of the modular approach will improve opportunities for individualized and self-paced instruction, active learning, tailored instruction, and one-on-one instruction based on student need. Overall, these impacts will lead to improved student achievement as evidenced by test scores. The end result is that students are empowered with a greater number of choices as they exit high school. Similar results can be applied in terms of the adult farmer population. Agri-science technology training opportunities will be an asset to farmers and the local community, whether the training is
utilized on individual farms or in preparation for alternative employment. Planned evaluation will measure impacts on both students and adults receiving agri-science technology instruction.
Project Methods
The plan of operation for merging agri-science technology into the schools existing traditional agriculture program calls for on-going planning and continual review and evaluation by the Planning and Development Team, or Advisory Council. This group is composed of representatives from all related administrative and instructional departments within the school system. The work of the Advisory Council will result in full implementation of the modular agri-science technology program and alignment of curriculum with core content and local/state standards. The introductory phase includes promotion of the program to students and identification of potential students, beyond those currently enrolled in the agriculture program, likely to benefit from the new program. During this time, the agri-science technology lab will be completed and fully functional for installation of modular units. Staff will complete Phase I training on computer software/hardware, assessment, lab
management, promotion, curriculum, and the modular approach in order to ensure they are fully trained to proceed with installation and implementation of the agri-science technology units. Pre-packaged modular units will then be purchased and installed. Following installation, staff will receive additional training if necessary to clarify questions and concerns and utilizing program in terms of local, state and national standards. Initial, selected, components of the program will be fully functional for the first course offered in the fall semester, 2003. An initial adult program will be developed and implemented. Based on review and evaluation, the remainder of the plan of operation calls for periodic or "as needed" training (through the fall of 2004) to improve teaching competencies in the use of the initial or expanded program. Outreach and dissemination will be a continuing element of the program, intended to increase the number of participating high school students and adults, to
increase the number of collaborative partnerships, and to provide a means of internal and external communication regarding the progress and/or success of the program. Program information will be shared internally with school staff and administration, students and parents, and externally with counterparts in other school districts across Kentucky, local agriculture and the general public. Utilizing classroom technology, students will be involved in outreach efforts through development of a brochure and computer presentation. In addition to grant and program management, staff will also maintain activity and program records to fully document program alignment with core content. This information will be utilized as part of program monitoring/evaluation. Additional components of program monitoring include class enrollment statistics, surveys of graduating students and adult participants, and measurement of student progress and scores through computer-based testing of the subject area
modules and annual testing required for all Kentucky students. Appropriate evaluation will allow for annual program review, modifications, expansion, and operation as a "state-of-the-art" facility.