A national review of state standards relevant to SBAE teacher performance and program quality

Abstract

Because of discrepancies among U.S. states regarding how they assess school-based agricultural education (SBAE) teacher performance and program quality, little knowledge has existed regarding how these differences might influence critical decisions regarding hiring, pay, promotion, and dismissal. In response, the purpose of our study was to examine commonalities and differences in state-level program quality standards of teacher and program performance expectations for SBAE in the U.S. To accomplish this, we analyzed documents containing teacher and program standards used by state SBAE leaders. Using cognitive sensemaking as our lens, we found states that measured SBAE teacher and program standards using a variety of formats and methods, emphasizing teacher engagement in professional development, organization of course syllabi and lesson plans, program safety, and health protocol adherence. We also found little mention of instructional practice as a prominent metric for success and no delineation regarding standards for teachers' years of experience. We discuss the merits of these documents and encourage practitioners to critically examine their intent and use them moving forward.