SAE Evolution of SAE At the turn of the century (1900s) the American public is disillusioned with the public schools. –Too much book learning –Nothing practical or useful is taught –Useless learning

SAE Evolution of SAE During the late 1800s a new philosophy of education began to emerge - pragmatism. Willam James, Charles Saunders Peirce and John Dewey supported and espoused this philosophy.

SAE Pragmatism Applying ideas and science to solving real world problems is the goal of education. The application of knowledge, not just acquiring knowledge, is of the greatest value.

SAE Origin of SAE in Ag Ed Rufus Stimson of Massachusetts –Born in 1868 in Palmer, Mass. –Received a classical education but was reared on a farm –Received A.B. (1895) and A. M (1896) degrees in philosophy from Harvard (studied under William James). –Earned a B.D. (1897) from Yale.

SAE Origin of SAE in Ag Ed Rufus Stimson –From 1897 to 1901 was a Professor of rhetoric and philosophy at the University of Connecticut –Served as President of UConn from 1901 to 1908 –Resigned in 1908 to become Director of Smith’s Agricultural School

SAE Smith’s Agricultural School

SAE Smith’s Agricultural School

SAE Smith’s Agricultural School

SAE Smith’s Agricultural School

SAE Origin of SAE in Ag Ed Rufus Stimson – Published a brochure outline a new way to teach agriculture - projects on the home farm – Project method of teaching proves to be highly desirable

SAE Smith’s Agricultural School

SAE Growth of SAE in Ag Ed Stimson – Becomes state director of agricultural education in Mass. – Delivers speech on the project method to the National Society for the Study of Education – Makes keynote speech on projects at State Island Conference of Ag Ed Leaders

SAE Growth of SAE in Ag Ed – Vocational Education Magazine features project method – Stimson writes a 104 page booklet on projects which is published by the federal government – The School Review features an article on the project method – The Dean of Education at Missouri visits Massachusetts

SAE Growth of SAE in Ag Ed – Stimson’s Project Method of Teaching wins the Grand Prix medal at the Panama- Pacific Exposition in San Francisco – Smith-Hughes Act is enacted with provisions requiring students to have a project

SAE Rufus Stimson - 1st Fought to get girls in the FFA

SAE Rufus Stimson - 1st Established advisory committees (must have females on them)

SAE Rufus Stimson - 1st Used task analysis to identify what to teach in agriculture classes

SAE Rufus Stimson - 1st Teacher Trainer He also visited the SAE of every student enrolled in Agriculture in Massachusetts

SAE Growth of SAE The Smith-Hughes Act of 1917 (a federal law) required all students to have "directed or supervised practice in agriculture, either on a farm provided for by the school or other farm, for at least six months per year."

SAE After 1917 There was strict enforcement of project requirements by federal and state officials Teachers had to turn in monthly and annual reports on their farm project visits Students without projects flunked Vo Ag even if all their other grades were passing.

SAE After 1917 Federal reports told how much students earned off their projects each year. It was shown that federal expenditures for Vo.Ag. was a wise investment because student project income exceeded program costs.

SAE After 1917 The Federal Board for Vocational Education (an agency created by the Smith- Hughes Act) mandated that agriculture teachers work 12 months because the project work of students was to be supervised. A lot of the project work occurred during the summer months.

SAE There were three (3) categories of projects: –Productive (Crops or Livestock) –Improvement (an activity that improved operation, appearance or living conditions on the farm) –Supplementary (a single skill not related to the productive enterprise)

SAE Evolving Terminology A variety of words have been used over the years to describe the project program. – Home-School Cooperation Plan – Farming Project – Productive Farm Enterprises – Supervised Farm Practice Program – Supervised Farming

SAE A Wake Up Call When the Russians launched the Sputnik in 1958, Americans were shocked. After Kennedy was elected president in 1960 a national panel was convened to study vocational education. The Vocational Education Act of 1963 was the end result of the panel’s work.

SAE Vocational Education Act amended the Smith-Hughes Act: "any amounts allotted... for agriculture may be used for vocational education in any occupation involving knowledge and skills in agricultural subjects, whether or not such occupation involves work of the farm or of the farm home, and such education may be provided without directed or supervised practice on a farm."

SAE Impact of the 1963 Act Scope of agriculture was broadened to be more than farming (horticulture, forestry, ag mechanics, etc.) Placement as a type of project became more popular Section 16 abolished federal control over agricultural education –Federal leadership for voc. agriculture starts to decline from 13 USOE employees

SAE Impact of the 1963 Act Many states interpreted the law to mean students no longer had to have a project. I believe the real intent of Congress was to allow other types of projects other than “farm” projects.

SAE After 1963 Many states dropped the requirement that students have projects There was a major decline in project activity in many states (there were some exceptions) Federal and state leadership in agricultural education declined Teachers lost 12 month contracts

SAE 1970s and 80s Name of project program was changed in early 70s to Supervised Occupational Experience Program (SOEP). SOEPs are in a free fall in many states. Iowa State starts a major SOEP research and development program

SAE 1980s National SOE Conferences were held in 1982 and 1984 (sponsored by Dekalb). A gray handbook and movie were produced. Exploration as a type of SOE was added as a new category

SAE 1988 The National Research Council conducts a major study of secondary agricultural education. The results are published in Understanding Agriculture: New Directions for Education. One recommendation was: To revise SOE to match emerging areas of agriculture

SAE 1990 to now The profession starts to rethink the concept. There was an on-going debate in The Agricultural Education Magazine during the early 90s on SOE vs. SAE

SAE 1990s The term Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) gains acceptance around The National Council releases the Decisions and Dollars curriculum in This is needed to update the accounting practices used in ag ed.

SAE 1990s continued The National FFA drastically changes Proficiency and American degree application to reflect the Decision and Dollars curriculum in SAE record books revised to match new national forms