Educator Needs Assessment

A study conducted by the National FFA Organization in March through May of 2019 provided feedback from 708 agriculture teachers and FFA advisors from the eastern, southern, central and western FFA regions about their needs as agriculture educators, educational resources and experiences offered by FFA, their relationship with FFA and a variety of other topics. This document outlines some key findings from that study. Alternatively Certified Teachers Alternatively certified teachers are those who have been awarded a teaching license even though they have not completed a traditional teacher certification program. In all subject areas in every state in the U.S., individuals who choose to become a certified teacher through alternate means help to fill open positions that exist due to problems facing teaching nationwide, especially teacher recruitment and retention.1 Agricultural education, specifically, has historically faced challenges in teacher recruitment and retention.2 The Advisor Needs Assessment revealed that 18% of agriculture teachers surveyed are alternatively certified. Those who reported being alternatively certified stated that their biggest challenges include navigating FFA, developing classroom management, running and starting an [...]

In spring 2024, the National FFA Organization surveyed a national sample of 218 FFA advisors and agriculture teachers of fifth- to eighth-grade agriculture programs. Questions on the survey inquired about how their program operates, student engagement, general support, barriers, challenges, and the resources educators use and are looking for. The following summary highlights some key results. The survey received a national sample The survey intentionally sought responses from teachers across the nation. The highest number of survey responses came from Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, Virginia and Kentucky. When asked to indicate approximately how many students are in their fifth- to eighth-grade agriculture programs, respondents reported an average of 234 students. Responses reflected a wide range, from six to 900 students. The structure of middle school (grades 5-8) agriculture programs varies nationwide Almost 90% of respondents (N=182) reported that their agriculture class is offered as an elective, while 13% said it is a required course. Nine in 10 respondents reported that their agriculture program uses the three-component model.1 Nine percent reported that their chapter operates differently from [...]

The National FFA Organization conducts a biannual survey to identify and assess the current needs of agriculture educators/FFA advisors while aiming to understand the demands of the teaching profession better. The survey results provide insights into what National FFA resources teachers are using in their classrooms and local chapters and what future resources they need. This document shares findings directly from agriculture teachers from 2025. The National FFA Organization distributed an online survey to 7,646 FFA advisors from the national membership roster. The survey received 1,112 (partial or complete) responses, yielding a 15% overall response rate. FFA Advisors’ Greatest Challenges Three out of four respondents (75%, N=799) named lack of student motivation as their biggest challenge in navigating their classrooms within the last two years—the same as in 2023. Thirty-seven percent (N=390) indicated a lack of resources in the classroom. Twenty-nine percent (N=313) said a lack of support from students’ parents/guardians. Twenty-six percent (N=279) reported a lack of support from administration. One in four (25%, N=264) respondents chose “struggles with my health” (mental, physical, emotional). Just [...]

Professional Development in Agricultural Education Nearly one in four respondents (22%) to the 2023 FFA Advisor Needs Assessment somewhat or strongly disagreed with the statement, “I have access to a variety of valuable professional development opportunities.” Almost half (47%) of respondents to the 2023 FFA Advisor Needs Assessment said budget/cost constraints have a great deal of influence on their decision to participate in professional development opportunities. 25 school-based agriculture educators received a Teacher Professional Development Grant from National FFA in 2023. 22 recipients are licensed educators, while one recipient is alternatively certified and two are special grant/permission or emergency certified educators. The 2023 recipients of the Teacher Professional Development Grants serve students in grades 6-12. The 2023 recipients of the Teacher Professional Development Grants serve student populations from 180 students to 2,012 students. The 2023 recipients of the Teacher Professional Development Grants serve 42 to 355 agricultural education students. From my experience, I now make a more concentrated effort to give my ELL students better-translated materials whenever possible. I also try my best to use phrases [...]

13 school-based agriculture educators received a classroom enhancement grant in 2023. These recipients had between one and three full-time agriculture teachers in their agriculture programs and serve students in grades 7-12, with an average of 164 agricultural education students each. Chapter Demographics When asked about their chapter, 2023 grant recipients reported the following student demographics: 31% of their students are economically disadvantaged. 13% of their students have disabilities/IEPs. 9% of their students are racial or ethnic minorities. 1.5% of their students are English Language Learners. How Grant Funds Were Used Grant recipients applied their funds to these classroom enhancements: Purchasing equipment Upgrading equipment Purchasing curriculum “My students learn best with hands-on instruction, but my shop and classroom are very sparsely equipped so I have to do more online curriculum. This makes it harder for [students who are English Language Learners] to understand.” 2023 FFA Advisor Needs Assessment

The National FFA Organization conducts a biannual survey of agriculture educators/FFA advisors. The purpose of the survey is to obtain a national representation of educators to participate and provide insight into what National FFA resources teachers are using in their classrooms and local chapters as well as what future resources they need. This document shares findings directly from agriculture teachers from 2023. In spring 2023, the National FFA Organization distributed an online survey to all 14,158 FFA advisors in the national membership roster. The survey received 2,480 (partial or complete) responses, yielding an 18% overall response rate. 2023 Advisor Needs Assessment Findings Top Three Areas of Need for Resources Identified by Agriculture Educators Developing SAE opportunities for students (N=1,332) Filling out award applications (N=1,167) Filling out FFA grants (N=1,119) Top Five Pathway Educational Resources Requested by Agriculture Educators Animal Systems Plant Systems Agriculture Technology Power, Structural and Technical Systems Agribusiness FFA Advisors’ Greatest Challenges and Barriers Respondents were asked what their biggest challenge has been trying to navigate their classrooms within the last two years. Thirty-four [...]