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 "While ISBE board members were sympathetic to the nearly 20 line
items in the budget that were eliminated and the nearly 45 line
items that will experience significant reductions, they voted to
make the tough budget recommendation. They also included a
recommendation for the governor to find additional funds to assist
some of the zero-funded line items," says Harley Hepner, ISBE
principal consultant for agricultural education. "Elimination of the
agricultural education line item comes despite testimony that showed
the return on investment of state dollars and the fact that Illinois
agricultural education is a nationally recognized and respected
model.
"The result of this action will significantly affect agricultural
education in a negative way across the state, from agricultural
literacy efforts at the elementary levels, to classrooms at the
secondary and postsecondary levels," Hepner continues. "The decision
will significantly erode the ability of agricultural businesses to
find an adequate supply of future employees with the skills and
knowledge they need to successfully lead the industry in the
future."
In testimony to the board, Jim Craft, Illinois FFA executive
secretary, stressed that agricultural education is not a drain on
the state’s financial resources. Rather, agricultural education
actually provides a positive cash flow to the state. In fiscal 2009,
the agricultural education line item was funded at $3.381 million.
During the same time period, agricultural education students
generated $10.5 million in net earnings from placement and
entrepreneurial projects, representing a 311.5 percent return on
investment and stronger tax bases in many local communities.
"For example, agricultural education has excelled in stretching
state dollars by securing matching funds from corporate sources. In
2009, $180,000 was provided to 65 county coalitions wishing to
establish or strengthen their agricultural literacy programs. That
$180,000 was matched by $220,000 from Illinois Ag in The Classroom
and another $1.92 million in local funds from participating county
coalitions," says Craft. "Wonderful opportunities were provided to
more than 2,000 attendance centers when state dollars grew from
$180,000 to $2.3 million. About $190,000 of the funds were used for
ag education improvement grants to address critical needs at the
local level. That investment was matched with $269,515 locally, for
a 141 percent return."
Craft pointed out to the board that the impact is not just
financial, but also affects many lives:
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More than 468,000
elementary students and 29,000 elementary teachers at more than
2,000 attendance sites
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Roughly 30,000
secondary students and nearly 400 secondary teachers at more
than 300 attendance sites
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Nearly 58,000
postsecondary (university and community college) students and
nearly 200 university and community college instructors at 25
attendance centers
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About 2,800
community volunteers recruited to assist local schools to
develop student science, reading and mathematics skills and
competencies
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20 field staff members assisting local
programs, teachers and students by implementing various state
projects
Craft ended his testimony by telling the ISBE board:
"Agricultural education has a proven record of generating dollars in
excess of what the state provides. It incorporates ISBE goals and
initiatives fully within the projects funded by the line item; it
touches the lives of students of all ages and from all corners of
Illinois; and it serves an industry that employs 20 percent of the
Illinois work force. The partnership that has been developed between
all levels of education, with the support of the agricultural
industry and parents, is too important to discard -- that level of
partnership is the envy of the nation and is a model for the
future."
Craft encourages Illinois agricultural education supporters to
communicate with legislators to "not bite the hand" that feeds
Illinois' No. 1 industry in terms of work force development, the
economy and food production. Supporting documents can be downloaded
from www.iavat.org to
communicate with the governor's office, state senators and
representatives.
The statewide agricultural education team includes the Illinois
Leadership Council for Agricultural Education, the Illinois
Committee for Agricultural Education, Illinois State Board of
Education, Illinois FFA and its associated groups, Illinois
Association of Vocational Agriculture Teachers, Illinois Association
Community College Agriculture Instructors, University Council,
Illinois Agriculture in the Classroom and Facilitating Coordination
in Agricultural Education. The team works to help ensure a
successful social, economical and environmental future for the state
with kindergarten to adult education programs in support of
Illinois’ largest industry, agriculture. For more information, visit
www.agriculturaleducation.org.
[Text from
Illinois Association FFA]
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