Emerging Themes in Integrating Mathematics into Agricultural Education: A Qualitative Study of Star Teachers in Virginia

Formal agricultural education started in the United States in 1917 when congress passed the Smith-Hughes Act. This piece of legislation put agriculture in the classroom to prepare students for the workforce. From that point agricultural education has had its role in the formal education system. Agricultural education in the public school system has grown tremendously since its inception at the turn of the last century. Agricultural education courses teach way beyond the boundaries of production agriculture. Agricultural educators are now preparing their students for future careers as biologists, business and industry leaders, political officials, and many other advanced careers. These careers and other vocational occupations require post-secondary degrees. Thus, it is more important than ever to examine academic integration in career and technical education (CTE).