Legislative Wins
Legislative Wins: Showing a Return on Investment
Retained level funding for FY 24
Public Act 103-0560 In-Person Attendance Request for 4-H/FFA Competitions & Exhibitions
Additional $2.05 Million in line item circa 2022 (2022)
$550 K in Dept of Ag Budget for Statewide Affiliation (2022)
Pre-Service Teacher Internship (2019)
Additional $3.2 Million in line item circa 2018 (2018)
Three Circles (FFA & SAE) Grant (2017)
Declared Critical Shortage Area (2016)
Agriculture Teacher Shortage Task Force (2016)
Hydroponic growing and use in schools
Transportation in School pickup trucks (2021)
Return to work legislation
Elimination of test of basic skills
Developed the FFA Legislative Seminar
Creation of the LEAP Initiative
Advocacy training for the State Officer Team
Inclusion of agriculture educators on a variety of committees, working groups, task forces, etc.
Why the ISBE Line Item is so Important
12% increase in the number of programs in the past 5 years (353 to 394)
The Three Circle Grant’s success has led to increased participation. More than 70% of Illinois teachers participate in the program. Increases in participation and teachers' salaries are driving the need for increased funding.
Incentive funding is also critical for programs. Agriculture classes prioritize hands-on learning experiences, from designing floral arrangements to welding projects. Our increase in students and schools combined with the increase in the costs of these goods is driving the demand for funding in this grant program.
Amid a nationwide teacher shortage, Illinois has increased the number of Agriculture Teachers by 27% in the past 5 years (442 to 563). This is largely attributed to the Three Circle Grant, providing additional compensation for teachers’ time outside the school day with agricultural education activities like FFA and student projects.
Ensures sustainable funding for work-based learning initiatives (currently through AET) which results in nearly $10 million earned and invested by Illinois agricultural education students in their local communities
Improves equity to ensure all Illinois agricultural education students are allowed opportunities in all three components of agricultural education (classroom instruction, FFA, and Supervised Agricultural Experience-SAE)
Increases support for professional development, recruitment, and retention of quality agriculture teachers, which in turn increases the capacity of the talent pipeline for students entering agricultural careers - the state's number one industry.
Retained level funding for FY 24
Public Act 103-0560 In-Person Attendance Request for 4-H/FFA Competitions & Exhibitions
Additional $2.05 Million in line item circa 2022 (2022)
$550 K in Dept of Ag Budget for Statewide Affiliation (2022)
Pre-Service Teacher Internship (2019)
Additional $3.2 Million in line item circa 2018 (2018)
Three Circles (FFA & SAE) Grant (2017)
Declared Critical Shortage Area (2016)
Agriculture Teacher Shortage Task Force (2016)
Hydroponic growing and use in schools
Transportation in School pickup trucks (2021)
Return to work legislation
Elimination of test of basic skills
Developed the FFA Legislative Seminar
Creation of the LEAP Initiative
Advocacy training for the State Officer Team
Inclusion of agriculture educators on a variety of committees, working groups, task forces, etc.
Why the ISBE Line Item is so Important
12% increase in the number of programs in the past 5 years (353 to 394)
The Three Circle Grant’s success has led to increased participation. More than 70% of Illinois teachers participate in the program. Increases in participation and teachers' salaries are driving the need for increased funding.
Incentive funding is also critical for programs. Agriculture classes prioritize hands-on learning experiences, from designing floral arrangements to welding projects. Our increase in students and schools combined with the increase in the costs of these goods is driving the demand for funding in this grant program.
Amid a nationwide teacher shortage, Illinois has increased the number of Agriculture Teachers by 27% in the past 5 years (442 to 563). This is largely attributed to the Three Circle Grant, providing additional compensation for teachers’ time outside the school day with agricultural education activities like FFA and student projects.
Ensures sustainable funding for work-based learning initiatives (currently through AET) which results in nearly $10 million earned and invested by Illinois agricultural education students in their local communities
Improves equity to ensure all Illinois agricultural education students are allowed opportunities in all three components of agricultural education (classroom instruction, FFA, and Supervised Agricultural Experience-SAE)
Increases support for professional development, recruitment, and retention of quality agriculture teachers, which in turn increases the capacity of the talent pipeline for students entering agricultural careers - the state's number one industry.
