Perceptions of the Agriculture and Horticulture Career and Technical Education (CTE) Programs within the Derry Area School District

The Derry Area School District is currently the only school district in Westmoreland County that has both Agriculture and Horticulture CTE programs. The Derry Area School District is a small, rural school district that has seen a declining population in the geographical area, school district, and in the Agriculture and Horticulture CTE programming. The goal of this action research study is to identify factors that can increase new Agriculture and Horticulture CTE student enrollment based on the current district enrollment numbers. The specific design of this study utilized quantitative and qualitative, mixed-methods, research techniques to get feedback from current 8th grade, high school, and post-graduate students regarding the current and previous perceptions of the Agriculture and Horticulture CTE programming currently being offered within the Derry Area School District. Survey results were collected and analyzed in order to make generalized findings which also parallel best-practice recommendations currently being seen in the field of Agriculture and Horticulture CTE education. Findings and recommendations points to a greater emphasis in the development of in-district communication and marketing efforts as well as a higher level of curriculum and instruction integration across the science and elementary grade levels within the school district. These findings and recommendations will hopefully lead to future sustainability and growth in the Agriculture and Horticulture CTE programs within the Derry Area School Disctrict.