Improving the UK Pre-service Teacher Education Program in Agriculture Through Faculty Professional Development

The purpose of this project is to improve the technical education teacher preparation programs through comprehensive state-of-the-art professional development for technical education teacher educators. These instructional programs will focus on, but not be limited to. using a variety of approaches to enhance learning of all students including those identified with special needs, using technology as a teaching tool, promote development of effective teaching skills based on research, strategies for involving the community and parents in technical programs. and strengthening the integration of academic and technical education. Students in the teacher education program, both undergraduate and graduate levels, will be surveyed as to their needs. Professional development will be identified from the surveys in a cooperative effort with the Kentucky Department of Education personnel and with teachers in the field. Faculty development and travel to professional development meetings and conferences is a key component of this proposal. Funding will provide opportunites to attend current research sessions on a variety of topics: incorporating a variety of approaches to learning, implementing effective teaching skills. involving parents and the community, strengthening intergration of academics. using technology, and actively involving all students in the classroom. These national. regional and state-wide professional development opportunities will strengthen the faculty's knowtedge base and advance Career and Technical Education to those pre- ~rvice teachers and inservice teachers for which they serve. Meetings to be included are ACTE, AAFCS. FCCLA and others related to the program and at each level... national. state. regional, local. Technology such as WebQuest. PowerPoint. websites and electronic portfolios will be utilized for Family and Consumer Sciences students. as well as other CTE students in the teacher education programs. Use of technology will enhance efforts to deliver content and in communicating to student, parents, businesses. and the local community about their programs. Training on technology integration, use of PowerPoint, and electronic portfolios supports the New and Experienced Teacher Standards-Demonstrates Implementation of Technology, .' . Inservice and preservice teachers need assistance in assessment strategies. aligning curriculum and developing standards based units of study and these will be implemented as part of this grant The UK Teacher Education Program will implement the project of reading in the community and local schools to reinforce basic academic skills to improve CATS assessment performance.