The place of agricultural education in a National Curriculum Nigel Grant –

President, NAAE16th Biennial

Conference - National Association of

Agricultural Educators

What we have traditionally done.....a) Contribute to science education in years 7-12 – but especially, years 11-1216th Biennial Conference -

National Association of Agricultural Educators

What we have traditionally done.....

b) Contribute to Vocational Education & Training in years 9-12

16th Biennial Conference - National Association of Agricultural

Educators

Tradition is fine, but the world is changing...

National Curriculum There is widespread lack of

knowledge with respect to agricultural production – a growing disconnection between consumers and producers

Increasing community expectations in terms of environmental sustainability and food safety

16th Biennial Conference - National Association of Agricultural

Educators

Other issues impacting our profession...

Financial pressure (less funding for teaching agricultural subjects)

Declining enrolments in agricultural subjects – especially senior Agricultural Science

An aging teacher population

16th Biennial Conference - National Association of Agricultural

Educators

An analogy (re-visited)...

The changes that are facing us are a bit like Climate Change...

Some want to deny it (and hope it will go away)

In some circumstances we can seek to mitigate the changes

In other ways, we must adapt

16th Biennial Conference - National Association of Agricultural

Educators

Ways to mitigate changeContribute to the debate – at national, state and local school level

16th Biennial Conference - National Association of Agricultural

Educators

ACARA encourages involvement of all stakeholders during this key stage of curriculum development.Opportunities will be available to provide feedback on the draft curriculum through:Completion of an on-line survey State/territory and national consultation forums Some short-term, intensive activities with teachers and schools using the draft curriculum materials.

Ways to adapt to change

We need to re-invent ourselves and our view of agricultural education...

Broaden our concept of agricultural education to include all years of schooling

Refine our concept of agricultural education to highlight our ability to help students connect with the new world order priorities of climate change, food security and energy security16th Biennial Conference -

National Association of Agricultural Educators

More ways to adapt to change

We need to enter into strategic alliances...

Primary Industries Education Foundation

Other professional associations Australian Association of Environmental

Educators Australian Science Teachers Association

16th Biennial Conference - National Association of Agricultural

Educators