COLLABORATION BETWEEN SCIENCE AND AGRICULTURE TEACHERS

Abstract

The focus of this descriptive study was to determine the type and frequency of collaborative activities occurring between agriculture teachers and science teachers who taught in schools with agricultural education programs. Additional foci of this study included determining the extent to which science and agriculture teachers value collaborative practices, identifying factors that facilitate collaboration, and identifying barriers inhibiting collaboration. Although results indicate that most science and agriculture teachers hold positive attitudes concerning the potential for collaboration, reported collaborative activities between the groups was limited, with science teachers indicating less collaboration occurring than agriculture teachers. The large majority of science teachers indicated that they have not attended workshops demonstrating agriscience integration, and both groups identified lack of preparation time as the most significant barrier inhibiting collaboration. Moreover, both groups indicated that close proximity of facilities, teacher commitment, teacher attitude toward science and agriculture, frequent professional interaction, and administrator support facilitate collaboration.