James Connors - Academia.edu (original) (raw)
Papers by James Connors
A study examined the influence of agriscience and natural resources curricula on students' scienc... more A study examined the influence of agriscience and natural resources curricula on students' science achievement scores. The High School Subject Test--Biology, a standardized science test, was used to measure the science knowledge of all 156 seniors at 4 Michigan high schools that were randomly selected from those schools completing the state's mandatory restructuring process to offer an agriscience and natural resources program. Information about students' socioeconomic characteristics, grade point averages, and number of science credits earned was obtained from a family information questionnaire and official school transcripts. A multiple regression analysis was conducted to identify relationships existing between the independent variables and the dependent variable (science test score). Enrollment in agriscience and natural resources courses did not significantly affect students' science test scores. Number of science credits completed and overall grade point average were the two variables that explained 43% of the variance in science test scores. It was recommended that local school boards study the possibility of offering science credit for agriscience and natural resource classes containing significant amounts of science objectives and that a similar study including more schools and greater numbers of students be conducted.
In addition to hands-on learning in classrooms and work-related activities such as co-op, many CT... more In addition to hands-on learning in classrooms and work-related activities such as co-op, many CTE programs offer a career-focused student organization, known as a Career and Technical Student Organization, or CTSO. CTSOs have been touted as developing such characteristics as leadership and employability skills in students; however, there is little research definitively showing the benefits of participation in CTSOs. In this study, we hypothesized that CTSOs provide a variety of experiences that either directly or indirectly affect three important outcomes of secondary education: achievement, transition to postsecondary education and training, and employability. A pre-test/post-test comparison study of high school students in CTE classes that included a CTSO, CTE classes without a CTSO, and general non-CTE classes such as English and social studies was conducted over the course of one academic year. Findings showed that, on a variety of measures, CTSO students began the school year with similar or higher scores than the other groups of students and did not change (gain or lose) as much as did the other groups over the course of the year. With the exception of college aspirations-where students in the general classrooms reported the highest levels-the scores of the CTSO students remained higher than those of students in the other two groups on all measures. A positive association between amount of CTSO participation and academic motivation, academic engagement, grades, career selfefficacy, college aspirations, and employability skills was also found. Finally, of the four specific organizational elements of CTSOs (leadership, community service, competitions, and professional development), competitions were found to have the most positive effects. The potential benefit of CTSO participation to a larger and more heterogeneous group of students is discussed.
Journal of Extension
Extension systems throughout the United States require individuals to have college degrees to wor... more Extension systems throughout the United States require individuals to have college degrees to work as Extension professionals. This article shares The Ohio State University's approach to Extension Education in the Department of Human and Community Resource Development. A model is presented for preparing Extension professionals in an academic setting. Based on the research literature, competencies for success in Extension are matched with courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels of instruction. By sharing our approach, we hope to encourage dialogue and discussion that will help us and other academic programs to offer the best possible curriculum for preparing Extension educators.
Journal of International Agricultural and Extension Education, 2004
... Benjamin Swan, Graduate Assistant The Ohio State University 2120 Fyffe Road Columbus OH 43210... more ... Benjamin Swan, Graduate Assistant The Ohio State University 2120 Fyffe Road Columbus OH 43210-1067 ... values, the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences at The Ohio State University developed the Ecological Paradigm model in 1994 (Moser, nd). ...
Journal of Leadership Education, 2006
Journal of International Agricultural and Extension Education, 2001
the Association for International Agricultural and Extension Education. The purpose is to develop... more the Association for International Agricultural and Extension Education. The purpose is to develop a broad research and knowledge base on agricultural and extension education in developing countries. The Journal is published twice a year. The subscription rates are: ...
The benefits of youth participation in leadership development organizations has been researched f... more The benefits of youth participation in leadership development organizations has been researched for decades. Numerous research studies have investigated the relationship between participation in leadership organizations and achievement in school, self-esteem, and leadership skills. This study researched the high school agriculture students/FFA members participation in leadership development organizations and activities. The objectives of the study were to identify the school- and community-based leadership development organizations in which students participated, identify the students primary leadership organization and the leadership development activities in which they participated. The population of the study were high school agriculture students/FFA members (n = 1786). This mixed-mode study utilized a mailed-survey instrument sent to a random sample of FFA members and a internet-based instrument for high school agriculture students/FFA members. Results indicate that respondents ...
Journal of Agricultural Education, 2010
Journal of Agricultural Education, 2009
The United States' participation in World War II affected millions of men, women, and children, b... more The United States' participation in World War II affected millions of men, women, and children, both at home and around the world. The war effort also affected the Future Farmers of America (FFA). FFA members, agriculture teachers, and national FFA officers all volunteered to serve their country during the war. Local FFA chapters and individual FFA members joined with other citizens to support the war effort. The national convention of the FFA and local FFA chapter operations were affected during the war years. Thousands of former FFA members left their homes and farms to enlist in the armed forces. Many gave the last full measure of sacrifice, their own lives, to the call of liberty. The gallantry of several FFA members was recognized with military honors, media features or commemorated in song following the war. This historical study researched the activities of local FFA chapters, the national FFA organization, and individual FFA members during World War II. Historical events were documented with primary and secondary sources including books, magazines, personal letters, personal communications,
Journal of Agricultural Education, 1999
Journal of Agricultural Education, 2006
The purpose of this historical study was to gain a deeper understanding of the community school a... more The purpose of this historical study was to gain a deeper understanding of the community school and its developer, Herbert M. Hamlin. Primary sources including texts, magazines, monographs, and an oral interview and secondary sources including books, journals, and magazines were analyzed. The researchers found Hamlin's community school philosophy revolved around practical applications of a community-based program of education. His philosophy was grounded in the ideals of the American democratic process and rural communities. Community schools represented a logical way for today's teachers to intertwine the community and program's needs and wants.
Journal of Agricultural Education, 1995
... that, "agricultural students in test schools achieved slightly higher on the biology tes... more ... that, "agricultural students in test schools achieved slightly higher on the biology test than did bio ... were mastering the state science standards on an equal level with students in general ... Enderlin and Osborne (1991) studied science achievement of middle school science students. ...
Journal of Agricultural Education, 2010
Journal of Agricultural Education, 1994
Career and Technical Education Research, 2006
In addition to hands-on learning in classrooms and work-related activities such as co-op, many CT... more In addition to hands-on learning in classrooms and work-related activities such as co-op, many CTE programs offer a career-focused student organization, known as a Career and Technical Student Organization, or CTSO. CTSOs have been touted as developing such characteristics as leadership and employability skills in students; however, there is little research definitively showing the benefits of participation in CTSOs. In this study, we hypothesized that CTSOs provide a variety of experiences that either directly or indirectly affect three important outcomes of secondary education: achievement, transition to postsecondary education and training, and employability. A pre-test/post-test comparison study of high school students in CTE classes that included a CTSO, CTE classes without a CTSO, and general non-CTE classes such as English and social studies was conducted over the course of one academic year. Findings showed that, on a variety of measures, CTSO students began the school year with similar or higher scores than the other groups of students and did not change (gain or lose) as much as did the other groups over the course of the year. With the exception of college aspirations-where students in the general classrooms reported the highest levels-the scores of the CTSO students remained higher than those of students in the other two groups on all measures. A positive association between amount of CTSO participation and academic motivation, academic engagement, grades, career selfefficacy, college aspirations, and employability skills was also found. Finally, of the four specific organizational elements of CTSOs (leadership, community service, competitions, and professional development), competitions were found to have the most positive effects. The potential benefit of CTSO participation to a larger and more heterogeneous group of students is discussed.
Journal of Agricultural Education, 2006
The concept of leadership development has been researched in agricultural education for decades. ... more The concept of leadership development has been researched in agricultural education for decades. This study reviewed the Journal of Agricultural Education and the Proceedings of the National Agricultural Education Research Meeting/Conference to determine the number of research papers published between 1988 and 2003, the prolific leadership researchers, and the focus areas of their leadership research. Only 15 researchers had published three or more leadership-related studies over the 16 year period. Five percent of the articles in both publications were classified as leadership-related studies. The focus areas that emerged were: agricultural education/FFA, extension education/4-H, collegiate, and community leadership.
A study examined the influence of agriscience and natural resources curricula on students' scienc... more A study examined the influence of agriscience and natural resources curricula on students' science achievement scores. The High School Subject Test--Biology, a standardized science test, was used to measure the science knowledge of all 156 seniors at 4 Michigan high schools that were randomly selected from those schools completing the state's mandatory restructuring process to offer an agriscience and natural resources program. Information about students' socioeconomic characteristics, grade point averages, and number of science credits earned was obtained from a family information questionnaire and official school transcripts. A multiple regression analysis was conducted to identify relationships existing between the independent variables and the dependent variable (science test score). Enrollment in agriscience and natural resources courses did not significantly affect students' science test scores. Number of science credits completed and overall grade point average were the two variables that explained 43% of the variance in science test scores. It was recommended that local school boards study the possibility of offering science credit for agriscience and natural resource classes containing significant amounts of science objectives and that a similar study including more schools and greater numbers of students be conducted.
In addition to hands-on learning in classrooms and work-related activities such as co-op, many CT... more In addition to hands-on learning in classrooms and work-related activities such as co-op, many CTE programs offer a career-focused student organization, known as a Career and Technical Student Organization, or CTSO. CTSOs have been touted as developing such characteristics as leadership and employability skills in students; however, there is little research definitively showing the benefits of participation in CTSOs. In this study, we hypothesized that CTSOs provide a variety of experiences that either directly or indirectly affect three important outcomes of secondary education: achievement, transition to postsecondary education and training, and employability. A pre-test/post-test comparison study of high school students in CTE classes that included a CTSO, CTE classes without a CTSO, and general non-CTE classes such as English and social studies was conducted over the course of one academic year. Findings showed that, on a variety of measures, CTSO students began the school year with similar or higher scores than the other groups of students and did not change (gain or lose) as much as did the other groups over the course of the year. With the exception of college aspirations-where students in the general classrooms reported the highest levels-the scores of the CTSO students remained higher than those of students in the other two groups on all measures. A positive association between amount of CTSO participation and academic motivation, academic engagement, grades, career selfefficacy, college aspirations, and employability skills was also found. Finally, of the four specific organizational elements of CTSOs (leadership, community service, competitions, and professional development), competitions were found to have the most positive effects. The potential benefit of CTSO participation to a larger and more heterogeneous group of students is discussed.
Journal of Extension
Extension systems throughout the United States require individuals to have college degrees to wor... more Extension systems throughout the United States require individuals to have college degrees to work as Extension professionals. This article shares The Ohio State University's approach to Extension Education in the Department of Human and Community Resource Development. A model is presented for preparing Extension professionals in an academic setting. Based on the research literature, competencies for success in Extension are matched with courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels of instruction. By sharing our approach, we hope to encourage dialogue and discussion that will help us and other academic programs to offer the best possible curriculum for preparing Extension educators.
Journal of International Agricultural and Extension Education, 2004
... Benjamin Swan, Graduate Assistant The Ohio State University 2120 Fyffe Road Columbus OH 43210... more ... Benjamin Swan, Graduate Assistant The Ohio State University 2120 Fyffe Road Columbus OH 43210-1067 ... values, the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences at The Ohio State University developed the Ecological Paradigm model in 1994 (Moser, nd). ...
Journal of Leadership Education, 2006
Journal of International Agricultural and Extension Education, 2001
the Association for International Agricultural and Extension Education. The purpose is to develop... more the Association for International Agricultural and Extension Education. The purpose is to develop a broad research and knowledge base on agricultural and extension education in developing countries. The Journal is published twice a year. The subscription rates are: ...
The benefits of youth participation in leadership development organizations has been researched f... more The benefits of youth participation in leadership development organizations has been researched for decades. Numerous research studies have investigated the relationship between participation in leadership organizations and achievement in school, self-esteem, and leadership skills. This study researched the high school agriculture students/FFA members participation in leadership development organizations and activities. The objectives of the study were to identify the school- and community-based leadership development organizations in which students participated, identify the students primary leadership organization and the leadership development activities in which they participated. The population of the study were high school agriculture students/FFA members (n = 1786). This mixed-mode study utilized a mailed-survey instrument sent to a random sample of FFA members and a internet-based instrument for high school agriculture students/FFA members. Results indicate that respondents ...
Journal of Agricultural Education, 2010
Journal of Agricultural Education, 2009
The United States' participation in World War II affected millions of men, women, and children, b... more The United States' participation in World War II affected millions of men, women, and children, both at home and around the world. The war effort also affected the Future Farmers of America (FFA). FFA members, agriculture teachers, and national FFA officers all volunteered to serve their country during the war. Local FFA chapters and individual FFA members joined with other citizens to support the war effort. The national convention of the FFA and local FFA chapter operations were affected during the war years. Thousands of former FFA members left their homes and farms to enlist in the armed forces. Many gave the last full measure of sacrifice, their own lives, to the call of liberty. The gallantry of several FFA members was recognized with military honors, media features or commemorated in song following the war. This historical study researched the activities of local FFA chapters, the national FFA organization, and individual FFA members during World War II. Historical events were documented with primary and secondary sources including books, magazines, personal letters, personal communications,
Journal of Agricultural Education, 1999
Journal of Agricultural Education, 2006
The purpose of this historical study was to gain a deeper understanding of the community school a... more The purpose of this historical study was to gain a deeper understanding of the community school and its developer, Herbert M. Hamlin. Primary sources including texts, magazines, monographs, and an oral interview and secondary sources including books, journals, and magazines were analyzed. The researchers found Hamlin's community school philosophy revolved around practical applications of a community-based program of education. His philosophy was grounded in the ideals of the American democratic process and rural communities. Community schools represented a logical way for today's teachers to intertwine the community and program's needs and wants.
Journal of Agricultural Education, 1995
... that, "agricultural students in test schools achieved slightly higher on the biology tes... more ... that, "agricultural students in test schools achieved slightly higher on the biology test than did bio ... were mastering the state science standards on an equal level with students in general ... Enderlin and Osborne (1991) studied science achievement of middle school science students. ...
Journal of Agricultural Education, 2010
Journal of Agricultural Education, 1994
Career and Technical Education Research, 2006
In addition to hands-on learning in classrooms and work-related activities such as co-op, many CT... more In addition to hands-on learning in classrooms and work-related activities such as co-op, many CTE programs offer a career-focused student organization, known as a Career and Technical Student Organization, or CTSO. CTSOs have been touted as developing such characteristics as leadership and employability skills in students; however, there is little research definitively showing the benefits of participation in CTSOs. In this study, we hypothesized that CTSOs provide a variety of experiences that either directly or indirectly affect three important outcomes of secondary education: achievement, transition to postsecondary education and training, and employability. A pre-test/post-test comparison study of high school students in CTE classes that included a CTSO, CTE classes without a CTSO, and general non-CTE classes such as English and social studies was conducted over the course of one academic year. Findings showed that, on a variety of measures, CTSO students began the school year with similar or higher scores than the other groups of students and did not change (gain or lose) as much as did the other groups over the course of the year. With the exception of college aspirations-where students in the general classrooms reported the highest levels-the scores of the CTSO students remained higher than those of students in the other two groups on all measures. A positive association between amount of CTSO participation and academic motivation, academic engagement, grades, career selfefficacy, college aspirations, and employability skills was also found. Finally, of the four specific organizational elements of CTSOs (leadership, community service, competitions, and professional development), competitions were found to have the most positive effects. The potential benefit of CTSO participation to a larger and more heterogeneous group of students is discussed.
Journal of Agricultural Education, 2006
The concept of leadership development has been researched in agricultural education for decades. ... more The concept of leadership development has been researched in agricultural education for decades. This study reviewed the Journal of Agricultural Education and the Proceedings of the National Agricultural Education Research Meeting/Conference to determine the number of research papers published between 1988 and 2003, the prolific leadership researchers, and the focus areas of their leadership research. Only 15 researchers had published three or more leadership-related studies over the 16 year period. Five percent of the articles in both publications were classified as leadership-related studies. The focus areas that emerged were: agricultural education/FFA, extension education/4-H, collegiate, and community leadership.