Attitudes Toward Mathematics Integration and Related Professional Development Needs of Outstanding Agricultural Education Instructors

The purpose of this study was to determine the outstanding agricultural teachers’ attitudes toward mathematics integration and perceived needs regarding academic integration. Participants of this study were selected by a panel of expert, including teacher educators and state staff, who frequently visit agricultural education teachers and observe their teaching. The panel reached a consensus on 26 outstanding agricultural education teachers. An electronic survey instrument was developed by the researcher. The teachers reported having positive attitudes toward mathematics integration. The agricultural teachers had indicated that mathematics is an integral component of agricultural education and the integration of mathematics is vital; this would indicate that the early-adopters had already entered the Persuasion stage. The positive attitudes toward mathematics integration had led the agricultural education teachers to integrate mathematics would indicating that the early-adopters had also entered the decision stage.