Observing Change in Behavioral Intent among Secondary Youth Regarding Tractor RollOver through an Educational Intervention Curriculum

• Published in: Career and technical education research Vol. 43; no. 3; pp. 243 - 258
• Main Authors: Tingle, Alexander K, Vincent, Stacy K, Mazur, Joan, Dietrich, Morgan S, Watson, Jennifer, Namkoong, Kang
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Association for Career and Technical Education Research 01.12.2018
• Subjects: Agricultural Education; Barriers; Behavior Change; Behavior Theories; Intention; Intervention; Program Effectiveness; Safety Education; Secondary School Students; Student Behavior
• ISSN: 1554-754X
• DOI: 10.5328/cter43.3.243

Seeking to reverse hazardous practices developed through Apprenticeship of Observation theory, the researchers explored secondary agriculture youth behavioral intent following their engagement in a four-part intervention. Utilizing a qualitative research design over a five-year period, the researchers interviewed 63 secondary students from 15 schools in three states within the Appalachia region of the United States. Findings revealed that the project led to intention and behavior changes. Barriers were discovered in how some students' behavior failed to change. Through the lens of the Theory of Planned Behavior, a model is presented that highlights an approach to changing behavior and possibly combatting the lack of behavioral change. From the findings, it is recommended that educators further engage in the delivery of instruction, which follows the four-part intervention to assist in changing student attitudes and perceived behavioral control. A final discussion that introduces a visual model that reflects the findings is recommended for further exploration.