West Virginia High School Guidance Counselors Perceptions and Interactions with Agricultural Education Programs in Their Schools

Guidance or vocational counselors have a strong influence over student placement in agricultural education programs. A descriptive research design using a mailed questionnaire was used for this study to determine methods used by West Virginia high school guidance counselors to determine student placement in agricultural education classes. The study found that a majority of the guidance counselors do not have an agricultural background. A majority of the counselors report enrolling students in agricultural programs regardless of their college or career goals. Counselors view agricultural teachers as concerned for students' achievement and personal growth and believe agricultural educators should be involved in scheduling students. While counselors are not fully aware of all facets of the agricultural program, they respect the agricultural instructors and the program.