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An Administrator's View of the Important Deficiencies in Agricultural Education

College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University, Blacksburg 24061

ABSTRACT

There have been substantial increases in agricultural college enrollments during the past several years. Marked changes in the composition of the student body have accompanied these increases. There are more nonfarm and nonrural students and more women and transfer students. Thus, there are large numbers of agricultural students today who do not have the basic agricultural vocabulary, skills, and experiences which were commonplace in the past. Larger classes, greater diversity of background, and different educational goals add further to the heterogenity of the student body.

Agricultural faculty and administrators generally recognize the deficiencies in agricultural backgrounds of today's students and have made various attempts to cope with them. Changes in academic programs have been discussed, proposed, and initiated which range from simple additions of more activity laboratories to major overhauls of curricula. These efforts are commendable and should continue to receive serious consideration.

But in our zeal to fill the voids of practical experience in today's students, one must not lose sight of the real purpose and meaning of a college education.