Texas A&M University-Department of Agricultural Education
Inservice Needs Study

Directions: 

Level of Performance: Please "grade" how well you perform these tasks in your role as an agriscience teacher. Place your "grade" for each task in the blank space provided. Remember that "A" is excellent, "B" is good, "C" is average, "D" is low pass, and "F" is failing.

Importance to Your Position: Please "rate" the level of importance to your position. Place your "rating" for each task in the blank space provided. Remember that a rating of "I" means "No Importance," "2" means "Little Importance," "3" means "Some Importance," "4" means "Much Importance," and "5" means "Highest Importance." For Example: 

Grade   

Rating
B   0.0  preparing travel reports for reimbursement purposes  

3    

                                                                                                                                                                            

A=Excellent...F=Failing 1=No Importance...5=Highest Importance
Grade

Facilitating Student Learning in Classroom and Laboratory Settings

 Rating
1.1 creating or finding quality teaching plans and student activities
1.2 preparing audiovisual resources such as slides, ppt, videos, etc.
1.3 preparing and introducing lessons
1.4 teaching and facilitating lessons
1.5 employing appropriate teaching methods or techniques within lessons
1.6 adjusting instruction according to student feedback and observations

1.7 diagnosing student learning styles and matching instructional methods
1.8 summarize a lesson or unit with conclusions and recommendations
1.9 preparing for local school district teacher appraisal(s)

1.10 demonstrating teaching behaviors that are measured by the school district appraisal system
1.11 organizing learning experiences to be managed by substitute teachers
1.12 develop teacher, peer, and self-assessment procedures
1.13 managing the student SAE system as grading criterion
1.14  establishing a business-like learning environment  
1.15  establish effective housekeeping policies and practices
1.16 motivating student learning and improving achievement 
1.17 nurturing positive student attitudes about learning
1.18 becoming a consistent and effective role model 
1.19 involving administrators and others to modify student behavior
1.20 involving parents in solving discipline problems
1.21 interpreting and enforcing school policies and procedures 

1.22 understanding issues of professional liability related to student management 
1.23 integrating academic content into lessons such as math and science
1.24 preparing for state assessment tests (TAKS)

A=Excellent...F=Failing 1=No Importance...5=Highest Importance
Grade

Facilitating Student Leadership and Personal Growth

 Rating
2.1 encouraging active FFA membership
2.2 stimulating student interest in FFA activities
2.3 prioritizing FFA activities
2.4 planning and conducting FFA activities
2.5 involving non-traditional students in FFA activities
2.6 designing fund-raising projects to finance FFA activities
2.7 budgeting and managing FFA funds
2.8 assisting students in preparing for and succeeding in FFA CDE's
2.9 assisting students in preparing for and succeeding in FFA LDE's
2.10 assisting students in preparing and succeeding in FFA degree & award programs
2.11 balancing classroom & laboratory teaching with FFA activities
2.12 using FFA activities to enhance student career success, such as Project Pals, EDGE, MFE, ALD, or WLC.
2.13 explaining the intra-curricular relationship of FFA with agriscience & technology
2.14 providing appropriate chaperones for student activities
2.15 managing appropriate student behaviors on field trips and off-campus activities
2.16 supervising a year-round FFA program while employed on a less than year-round contract
 

A=Excellent...F=Failing 1=No Importance...5=Highest Importance
Grade Facilitating Student Agricultural Experiences Rating
3.1 implementing the SAE Record Keeping System
3.2 creating positive attitudes and values about record keeping skills
3.3 teaching how to keep good recordbooks
3.4 relating record keeping system to student grades
3.5 advising students in developing SAE's
3.6 using SAE's to strengthen the AST curriculum and your program
3.7 explaining value and relationship of SAE's to course grades
3.8 advising traditional project-orientated SAE's
3.9 advising non-traditional SAE's
3.10 supervising students SAE progress and practices
3.11 planning and preparing for livestock shows and fairs
3.12 planning internships and shadowing experiences
3.13 managing year-round student SAE's while employed on a less than year-round contract 
3.14 supervising cooperative training or DC Prep students

A=Excellent...F=Failing 1=No Importance...5=Highest Importance
Grade Facilitating Student Enrollment Rating
4.1 developing student recruitment strategies and programs
4.2 securing administrative and counselor assistance in pre-registration& scheduling
4.3 addressing parental concerns about student enrollment and active participation
4.4 creating bulletin boards and displays
4.5 assisting student's long-range course planning
4.6 sequencing courses to provide career pathways
4.7 planning alternative scheduling for students who are designated as distinguished achievement (honors)

A=Excellent...F=Failing 1=No Importance...5=Highest Importance
Grade Facilitating Special Learners Needs Rating
5.1 modifying teaching methods and materials to meet special needs of learners
5.2 modifying teaching materials and methods to meet gifted & talented needs
5.3 advocating high personal and career expectations
5.4 managing students with chronic behavioral problems (discipline)
5.5 using seating charts and rotational plans for special groupings
5.6 maintaining progress charts that demonstrate progress and achievement
5.7 providing remedial instruction
5.8 using student-centered methods such as peer-teaching and cooperative learning
5.9 using teacher aides and assistants effectively
5.10 collaborating with special education teachers and counselors
5.11 collaborating with parents of special needs students
5.12 identifying and guiding different learning styles of students
5.13 adapting teaching methods to accommodate different learning styles
5.14 using appropriate referrals for special needs or assistance
 

A=Excellent...F=Failing 1=No Importance...5=Highest Importance
Grade Facilitating Student Career Success Rating
6.1 finding sources of career materials appropriate for student
6.2 using a computer-assisted guidance system such as SIGI or DISCOVER
6.3 using the Internet as a career guidance tool
6.4 assisting students with portfolio development
6.5 securing business & industry participation in career discussions
6.6 describing university entrance and admission requirements
6.7 helping gather information about agricultural scholarships
6.8 coordinating career planning with school counselors
6.9 assisting students with goal setting and career decisions
6.10 providing assistance for student employment in agricultural industry
6.11 providing assistance for student part-time or summer employment

A=Excellent...F=Failing 1=No Importance...5=Highest Importance
Grade Facilitating Positive Public Image Rating
7.1 establishing a working relationship with local media
7.2 designing a media campaign to communicate your program and activities
7.3 communicating the message of the program within the school system
7.4 involving students in conducting public relations activities
7.5 using support groups to publicize the program
7.6 planning and conducting a major public relations event such as National FFA Week
7.7 planning and conducting student and supporter award and recognition events

A=Excellent...F=Failing 1=No Importance...5=Highest Importance
Grade Facilitating Program Support Groups Rating
8.1 communicating need for support group with administrators and school policies
8.2 obtaining assistance of administration in establishing program support groups
8.3 organizing an external group for support of the program (e.g., FFA Alumni, Booster Clubs)
8.4 using strategies for maintaining support groups as advisors but not policy makers
8.5 reducing policy conflicts within support groups
8.6 establishing your role with the support group as a paid, on-site professional
8.7 organizing an agriscience advisory committee 

A=Excellent...F=Failing 1=No Importance...5=Highest Importance
Grade Facilitating Adult Learning Environments Rating
9.1 assessing adult learner needs and broad needs within the community
9.2 evaluating an adult education program
9.3 securing resources to conduct adult and continuing education programs
9.4 collaborating with other community adult education programs such as Texas Cooperative Extension Service
9.5 improving teaching methods for adults
9.6 planning and conducting adult education within the community
9.7 involving resource people for adult education programs
9.8 managing an adult education program
9.9 using distance education methods to deliver adult education within the community
9.10 establishing a Texas Young Farmer Chapter
9.11 maintaining and advising a Texas Young Farmer Chapter

A=Excellent...F=Failing 1=No Importance...5=Highest Importance
Grade Facilitating Personal Professional Improvement Rating
10.1 developing and maintaining mentor-protégé relationships
10.2 continuing to acquire technical skills and knowledge in agriculture
10.3 continuing to acquire educational skills and knowledge in teaching and learning
10.4 attaining additional endorsements and certifications such as cooperative certification
10.5 attaining additional professional credentials such as mid- management certification
10.6 earning an advanced graduate degree
10.7 obtaining administrative support for professional improvement activities
10.8 actively reading professional literature and participate in educational events
10.9 actively participating in school and district in-service and teacher organizations
10.10 actively participating as a member of professional organizations such as VATAT or NAAE
10.11 actively participating as an officer or committee chair in professional organizations
10.12 actively participating in related professional organizations such as TSTA or TCTA
10.13 using distance education technologies to participate in professional improvement
10.14 using distance education technologies to earn graduate degree credits or certification

A=Excellent...F=Failing 1=No Importance...5=Highest Importance
Grade Facilitating Balance in Professional Relationships Rating
11.1 working with co-teachers to establish departmental policies and procedures
11.2 maintaining positive communications with co-teachers
11.3 accepting responsibilities and delegating authority for departmental roles and duties
11.4 creating and nurturing an environment of trust
11.5 preventing or resolving conflicts between students
11.6 preventing or resolving conflicts between students and co-teachers
11.7 preventing or resolving conflicts between co-teachers
11.8 preventing or resolving conflict with administrators and staff
11.9 resolving conflicts or misunderstandings with parents
11.10 managing relationships with AST teachers in other schools
11.11 managing relationships with other constituencies such as Agricultural Extension Agents or county boards

A=Excellent...F=Failing 1=No Importance...5=Highest Importance
Grade Facilitating Balance in Personal and Professional Roles Rating
12.1 identifying priorities and managing time efficiently
12.2 creating and maintaining a healthy lifestyle that allows for peak performance
12.3 managing and reducing work-related stress
12.4 learning how to say no when appropriate, professional, and the right thing to do
12.5 making transitions in personal relationships
12.6 coping with traumatic changes in relationships such as death or divorce
12.7 balancing quality time among different life roles such as teacher, spouse, or parent
12.8 including significant others in professional activities

A=Excellent...F=Failing 1=No Importance...5=Highest Importance
Grade Facilitating Change in Curriculum and Technologies Rating
13.1 revising courses and materials based upon new knowledge, techniques, or equipment
13.2 planning materials and methods for scheduling patterns such as block periods
13.3 using strategies to increase problem-solving and decision-making skills
13.4 integrating global agriculture into existing courses such as NAFTA policies
13.5 integrating biotechnology into existing program
13.6 using laboratory experiments as a teaching method
13.7 using computers as a teaching and learning tool
13.8 integrating Computer-Assisted Drafting into agricultural mechanics
13.9 using the Internet as a teaching tool
13.10 implementing Tech-Prep and other School-to-Work initiatives into the program
13.11 carrying out teaching/duty assignments outside-of-my-field
13.12 completing grant applications for special projects

A=Excellent...F=Failing 1=No Importance...5=Highest Importance
Grade Planning and Managing Learning Environments