An Analysis of Education-related Policies Regarding theParticipation Potential of Homeschool Students inAgricultural Education and FFA

摘要

The number of parents in the U.S. choosing to homeschool their children is steadily growing. Witha strong demand for college graduates in food, agriculture and natural resources careers, there isan opportunity for homeschooled high school students to explore agricultural careers and developentrepreneurship and leadership skills through Agricultural Education and FFA programs. Thehomeschool population has largely been an untapped market of potential participants forAgricultural Education and FFA programs. This is important because increasing access for allstudents, including non-traditional students, is an organizational goal for National FFA. Yet, fewresearchers have investigated current and potential intersections of school-based AgriculturalEducation, FFA participation, and homeschoolers. This study analyzed the potential of homeschoolstudent participation in secondary agriculture programs, specifically school-based AgriculturalEducation and FFA, for all 50 states. Each state’s potential with regards to homeschool studentparticipation was determined by a qualitative policy analysis utilizing evaluation coding. Stateswere delineated into categories based upon their part-time public school enrollment policies,homeschooling regulations, and FFA membership requirements as defined in state FFAconstitutions. Current program participation pathways were defined as well as strategies forincreasing homeschool student awareness of and access to Agricultural Education programs andFFA membership.